Advanced Patient Care: Medication Types and Examples

Anticoagulants

Used to help thin the blood and prevent blood clots

Examples of anticoagulants

Heparin, Coumadin (warfarin)

Heparin

Short acting, rapid onset; Given by IV

Coumadin (Warfarin)

Oral, long acting

What are the 4 types of antimicrobials?

Antiseptics, antibiotics, antifungals, antivirals

Antiseptics

Commonly used in imaging departments for skin preparation before sterile procedures

Antibiotics

Given to treat wound infections and infectious diseases; can be sub classified as antibacterial or antifungal

Antifungal

Used to treat fungal infections

Antiviral

Used to treat specific viral infections

Examples of antiseptics

Alcohol and betadine

Examples of antiobiotics

Broad spectrum that fight against a variety of pathogens; Bactrim

Examples of antifungals

Miconozole, nystantin

Examples of antivirals

Acylovir, interferon

Antiseptics facts

Commonly used in imaging departments for skin preparation before sterile procedures

Antibiotics facts

Given to treat would infections and infectious diseases can be sub classified as antibacterial, antifungal according to which types of organisms against which they are most effective

Antifungal facts

Used to treat fungal infections

Antiviral facts

Used to treat specific viral infections

What are antihypertensives?

Drugs used to reduce blood pressure

What are some examples of antihypertensives?

ACE inhibitors, beta blockers

ACE inhibitors examples

Captopril, enalapril, lisinopril

ACE inhibitor facts

Lower blood pressure; used primarily to treat blood pressure but also to treat cardiac failure or renal disease

What are some examples of beta blockers?

propranolol and metoprolol

Beta blockers facts

Treat hypertension, irregular heart rhythm and angina

Anticonvulsants

Prescribed for patients with chronic seizure disorders

Common Anticonvulsant

Dilantin

What is the emergency anticonvulsant?

Valium (Diazepam)

Anesthetics

Injected to eliminate a sensation before a painful procedure or a numbing spray used before endoscopy

Common anesthetics

Lidocaine, cetacaine

Corticosteroids

Used to reduce inflammation and suppress the immune system

Used to treat rashes, inflammatory bowel disease, asthma, rheumatoid arthritis

Common corticosteroids

Hydrocortisone, methylprednisolone

Antiallergic medications

Medications used to treat allergies

Common antiallergic medications

Benadryl, epinephrine, methylprednisone

Hypoglycemics

Used to control the level of glucose in the blood

What is type one diabetes treated with?

Insulin

What is type two diabetes treated with?

Oral medications

What is a common diabetes medication?

Metformin (glucophage)

Vasoconstrictors

Drugs used to cause constriction of the blood vessels

Examples of vasoconstrictors

Epinephrine, dopamine

Tranquilizers

Reduce mental tension and anxiety better than sedatives

Examples of tranquilizers

Lorazepam (Ativan), diazepam (valium)

Sedatives

Drug-induced relaxation; patient is conscious but amnesic

Examples of sedatives

Versed, fentanyl, propofol

Anticholinergics

Antispasmodic of smooth muscle, depress parasympathetic nervous system

Examples of anticholinergics

Atropine, belladonna, scopolamine

Thrombolytic Agents

Used to break up blood clots; used to treat myocardial or cerebral infarctions

Examples of thrombolytic agents

R-TPA; 3-6 hour window to use from onset of symptoms

Antiarrhythmics

Used to treat chronic cardiac arrhythmias

Examples of antiarrhythmics

Pacerone for acute attacks of ventricular tachycardia

Why can beta blockers be used as an antiarrhythmic?

reduce blood pressure, heart beats more slowly with less force

Why can digoxin be used as an antiarrhythmic?

Treats heart failure and abnormal heart rhythms

Analgesics

Drugs that can relieve pain without loss of consciousness

Why are analgesics potentially dangerous?

Uses opioids such as morphine that are highly addictive substances that have to be monitored by the DEA

What do opioids do?

Depresses the CNS, relieving pain and causing drowsiness

Examples of injectable analgesics

Morphine, demoral, dilaudid

Examples of oral analgesics

Hydrocodone (Vicodin), oxycodone (Percocet)

What are some potential side effects of analgesics?

Depressed respirations, coma, and possible death

Antagonists

Counteract the effects of analgesics and sedatives

Examples of antagonists

Flumazenil (counteracts analgesics), narcan (counteracts opiates)

Vasodilators

Relax the walls of the blood vessels, reducing blood pressure

What are some side effects of vasodilators?

Dizziness, headaches, flushing, tachycardia, hypotension, and palpitations

Examples of vasodilators

Nitroglycerine