General Drug information - January 2024 Dr Campbell-Shelly

Pharmacology Applied to Nursing I

• Instructor: Dr. Janet Shelly

• University of Technology, Jamaica

Nursing Pharmacology

• General Drug Information about various medications, including:

  • Cetirizine: 10mg tablets, rapid acting antihistamine, indicated for allergy relief.

  • Children's Benadryl: Offers relief from runny nose, sneezing, and itchy, watery eyes. Alcohol-free and available in different formulations.

  • Truvada: Combination of emtricitabine and tenofovir, indicated for HIV treatment.

Objectives

• General Drug Information:

  • Understanding drug nomenclature

  • Sources of drug information

  • Systems of measurements

  • Drug formulations

  • Pharmacy laws

  • Dosage forms calculations

Drug Nomenclature

• Systematic naming of drugs to identify them:

  • Chemical Name / Generic Name: Official name (e.g., Aspirin = Acetylsalicylic acid).

  • Trade Name / Brand Name: Name given by manufacturer (e.g., Bayer for Aspirin).

• Approval process for drugs includes assigning a generic name and a brand name.

Drug Manufacturers

• Examples include:

  • Abbott, Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson, GlaxoSmithKline, Merck.

  • Jamaican Manufacturers: Bunny's, Benjamins, Epsom Salt.

Sources of Drug Information

• Various sources include:

  • Pharmacopoeias: Official codes for drug identity and potency testing.

  • Drug Formularies: Provide notes on drugs for healthcare practitioners.

  • Materia Medica: Reference books for drug origin, actions, and dosing.

  • Textbooks in Pharmacology: Standard texts for education.

Systems of Measurements

• Pharmacy calculations utilize three systems:

  • Apothecary: Older system using weight and volume averages.

  • Metric: Base 10 system for easy conversions (most common).

  • Household: Practical measurements used in the home.

• Understanding conversion charts for metric, apothecary, and household measurements is crucial.

Drug Formulations

• Definitions and types:

  • Solid: Tablets, capsules.

  • Liquid: Solutions and suspensions.

  • Topical: Creams, ointments, gels for local applications.

• Emphasis on the stability and acceptability of formulations for patients.

Topical Formulations

• Cream: Emulsion of oil and water; effective for skin treatments.

• Ointment: Higher oil content creates a barrier.

• Gel: Liquefies upon skin contact.

• Pessary: For vaginal applications.

Pharmacy Laws

• Govern management of controlled substances and pharmacy practice.

• Include regulations on compounding, dispensing, and storing medications.

Cultural Aspects of Drug Administration

• Culture and religion influence patient perceptions of health and illness:

  • The impact of beliefs on the administration of medications,

  • The necessity of educating patients about benefits and risks associated with medications.

Medication Orders

• Written directions from practitioners for administering specific medications:

  • Essential components include medication name, dosage, route, frequency, and prescriber signature.

  • Key differences between prescriptions and medication orders include levels of detail and who administers the medication.

Storage of Medications

• Storage conditions: Room temperature (15-25°C), refrigeration (2-8°C), freezing (-10 to -25°C).

• Maintenance of medication efficacy requires following storage guidelines to prevent degradation or toxicity.

Routes of Drug Administration

• Parenteral: Non-oral route including IM, SC, and IV.

• Oral: Ingested medications go through the digestive tract before absorption.

• First Pass Metabolism: Process whereby drugs absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract are metabolized in the liver before entering systemic circulation.

End of Content

• Conclusion emphasizing the importance of understanding pharmacology in nursing practice to ensure effective patient care.