Drug charts
Antibiotics
Macrolides
Oral: Azithromycin, Clarithromycin, Erythromycin
Mechanism of Action: Inhibits protein synthesis
Therapeutic Effect: Slows growth of microorganisms
Therapeutic Use: Community-acquired pneumonia
Complications/Side Effects:
GI discomfort (N/V); take Erythromycin with meals and others on an empty stomach
Prolonged QT intervals
Ototoxicity (monitor for hearing loss, vertigo, tinnitus)
Contraindications:
Liver disease
QT prolongation
Tetracyclines
Oral: Doxycycline
Mechanism of Action: Inhibits protein synthesis
Therapeutic Effect: Inhibits growth of microorganisms
Therapeutic Use: Community-acquired pneumonia
Complications/Side Effects:
GI discomfort (N/V/D); take on an empty stomach
Tooth discoloration (yellow/brown) (do not give to children under 8)
Hepatotoxicity (at high doses)
Photosensitivity (wear protective clothing/sunscreen)
Beta-Lactams
Penicillins
Oral: Penicillin, Amoxicillin, Piperacillin/Tazobactam
Mechanism of Action: Destroys bacterial cell walls
Complications/Side Effects:
Allergies, anaphylaxis (observe reactions after IV)
Renal impairment
Cephalosporins
Oral: Ceftriaxone, Cefepime
Mechanism of Action: Destroys bacterial cell walls
Complications/Side Effects:
Allergies, anaphylaxis (observe reactions after IV, allergy to penicillin)
Bleeding tendencies
Renal insufficiency
Carbapenems
Oral: Meropenem
Mechanism of Action: Destroys bacterial cell walls
Complications/Side Effects:
Allergies, anaphylaxis (observe reactions after IV, allergy to penicillin)
GI upset (N/V/D)
Corticosteroids (Glucocorticoids)
Inhaled:
Fluticasone, Beclomethasone, Budesonide
Oral:
Prednisone, Prednisolone
Mechanism of Action: Prevents inflammation by decreasing chemical mediators
Therapeutic Effect: Decreases edema
Therapeutic Use:
Inhaled: Long-term asthma control
Oral: Short-term for acute episodes and long-term for chronic asthma
Complications/Side Effects:
Bone loss (Osteoporosis) for long-term use
Hyperglycemia, increased appetite, weight gain
Myopathy, infection, fluid and electrolyte imbalance, and GI bleeds
Contraindications:
Oral: Live virus vaccine, fungal infection
Leukotriene Antagonists
Oral: Zafirlukast, Montelukast
Mechanism of Action: Suppress actions of leukotrienes
Therapeutic Effect: Reduces inflammation, bronchoconstriction, and mucus production
Therapeutic Use: Long-term asthma therapy
Complications/Side Effects:
Depression
Liver injury (monitor liver functions)
Suicidal ideation
Anticholinergics
Inhaled: Ipratropium, Tiotropium
Mechanism of Action: Block muscarinic receptors in bronchi
Therapeutic Effect: Bronchodilation
Complications/Side Effects:
Dry mouth, hoarseness
Precaution: Narrow-angle glaucoma
Contraindications: Soy or peanut allergy
Xanthine Derivatives
Oral: Theophylline
Mechanism of Action: Relax bronchi smooth muscle
Therapeutic Effect: Bronchodilation
Complications/Side Effects:
GI distress
Restlessness, palpitations, tachycardia
Dysrhythmias, seizures (Toxicity - therapeutic range: 5-15 mcg/mL)
Diuretics
Loop Diuretics
Oral/IV: Furosemide, Torsemide
Mechanism of Action: Blocks sodium and water reabsorption in the loop of Henle
Therapeutic Uses:
Rapid fluid mobilization, hypertension, heart failure
Complications/Side Effects:
Dehydration, hypotension, ototoxicity, hypokalemia
Nocturia
Thiazide Diuretics
Oral: Hydrochlorothiazide
Mechanism of Action: Blocks sodium and water reabsorption in distal convoluted tubule
Therapeutic Use: First choice for essential hypertension
Complications/Side Effects:
Dehydration, hypokalemia, hyperglycemia, nocturia
Potassium-Sparing Diuretics
Oral: Spironolactone
Mechanism of Action: Blocks aldosterone action
Therapeutic Use: Hypertension, edema, heart failure
Complications/Side Effects:
Hyperkalemia
Contraindications:
Hyperkalemia, kidney failure with anuria
Calcium Channel Blockers
Oral: Nifedipine, Amlodipine
Mechanism of Action: Blocks calcium channels in blood vessels
Therapeutic Effect: Vasodilation
Complications/Side Effects:
Reflex tachycardia, orthostatic hypotension, peripheral edema
Beta Adrenergic Blockers
Oral: Metoprolol, Propranolol, Atenolol
Mechanism of Action:
Decrease heart rate, cardiac output, and AV conduction
Block renin release
Result in vasodilation
Complications/Side Effects:
Bradycardia, decreased cardiac output, orthostatic hypotension
Anticoagulants
Heparin and Low Molecular Weight Heparin
IV/SubQ: Heparin, Enoxaparin
Mechanism of Action: Activates antithrombin to inhibit fibrin
Therapeutic Use: Prevents DVT in post-op clients
Complications/Side Effects: Toxicity; hemorrhage (monitor vital signs)
Vitamin K Antagonists
Oral: Warfarin
Mechanism of Action: Antagonizes Vitamin K
Therapeutic Use: Prevention of clots
Complications/Side Effects: Hemorrhage, hepatitis, toxicity
Antiplatelets
Oral: Aspirin, Clopidogrel
Mechanism of Action: Inhibition of clot formation in vessels
Complications/Side Effects: GI effects, bleeding, tinnitus (aspirin)
Insulin
Classes: Rapid, Short, Intermediate, Long, Mixed
Complications/Side Effects: Hypoglycemia, hypokalemia, lipohypertrophy
Interactions: with oral antidiabetics, beta blockers, alcohol
NSAIDs
1st Generation: Aspirin, Ibuprofen, etc.
2nd Generation: Celecoxib
Complications/Side Effects: GI discomfort, bleeding, impaired kidney function
Antihistamines
1st Generation
Oral: Diphenhydramine
Complications/Side Effects: Sedation, dry mouth
2nd Generation
Oral: Loratadine, Cetirizine
Complications/Side Effects: Generally less sedation
Proton Pump Inhibitors
Oral/IV: Omeprazole, Pantoprazole
Complications/Side Effects: Bacterial colonization, osteoporosis, hypomagnesemia
Antiemetics
Serotonin Antagonists
Oral/IV: Ondansetron
Complications/Side Effects: Headache, prolonged QT interval
Dopamine Antagonists
Oral/IV: Metoclopramide
Complications/Side Effects: Extrapyramidal symptoms
Anticholinergic
Transdermal: Scopolamine
Complications/Side Effects: sedation
Laxatives
Bulk-Forming Laxatives
Example: Psyllium
Surfactant Laxatives
Example: Docusate sodium
Osmotic Laxatives
Examples: Magnesium hydroxide, Lactulose
Stimulant Laxatives
Examples: Bisacodyl, Senna
Summary on Eye Drops
Beta Adrenergic Blockers
Example: Timolol
Alpha-2 Adrenergic Agonists
Example: Brimonidine
Prostaglandin Analogs
Example: Latanoprost
Cholinergic Agonists
Example: Pilocarpine
Adrenergic Agonists
Example: Phenylephrine
Anticholinergics
Example: Atropine
Key Differences Within Each Drug Class
Macrolides
Oral Options: Azithromycin, Clarithromycin, Erythromycin
Mechanism of Action: Inhibits protein synthesis
Therapeutic Use: Primarily used for community-acquired pneumonia
Complications/Side Effects: GI discomfort, prolonged QT intervals, ototoxicity
Contraindications: Liver disease, QT prolongation
Tetracyclines
Oral Options: Doxycycline
Mechanism of Action: Inhibits protein synthesis
Therapeutic Use: Used for community-acquired pneumonia
Complications/Side Effects: GI discomfort, tooth discoloration, hepatotoxicity, photosensitivity
Contraindications: Should not be given to children under 8
Beta-Lactams
Penicillins
Oral Options: Penicillin, Amoxicillin, Piperacillin/Tazobactam
Mechanism of Action: Destroys bacterial cell walls
Complications/Side Effects: Allergies, renal impairment
Cephalosporins
Oral Options: Ceftriaxone, Cefepime
Mechanism of Action: Destroys bacterial cell walls
Complications/Side Effects: Allergies, renal insufficiency, bleeding tendencies
Carbapenems
Oral Option: Meropenem
Mechanism of Action: Destroys bacterial cell walls
Complications/Side Effects: Similar to penicillins, includes GI upset
Corticosteroids (Glucocorticoids)
Inhaled
Options: Fluticasone, Beclomethasone, Budesonide
Therapeutic Use: Long-term asthma control
Complications/Side Effects: Bone loss, hyperglycemia
Oral
Options: Prednisone, Prednisolone
Therapeutic Use: Short-term for acute episodes, long-term for chronic asthma
Leukotriene Antagonists
Oral Options: Zafirlukast, Montelukast
Mechanism of Action: Suppress actions of leukotrienes
Complications/Side Effects: Depression, liver injury, suicidal ideation
Anticholinergics
Inhaled Options: Ipratropium, Tiotropium
Mechanism of Action: Block muscarinic receptors in bronchi
Complications/Side Effects: Dry mouth, precautions with narrow-angle glaucoma
Xanthine Derivatives
Oral Option: Theophylline
Mechanism of Action: Relaxes bronchi smooth muscle
Complications/Side Effects: GI distress, tachycardia, potential for seizures
Diuretics
Loop Diuretics
Oral/IV Options: Furosemide, Torsemide
Mechanism of Action: Blocks sodium/water reabsorption in the loop of Henle
Complications/Side Effects: Dehydration, hypotension, ototoxicity
Thiazide Diuretics
Oral Option: Hydrochlorothiazide
Mechanism of Action: Blocks sodium/water reabsorption in distal convoluted tubule
Complications/Side Effects: Risk of dehydration, hypokalemia, hyperglycemia
Potassium-Sparing Diuretics
Oral Option: Spironolactone
Mechanism of Action: Blocks aldosterone action
Complications/Side Effects: Risk of hyperkalemia
Calcium Channel Blockers
Oral Options: Nifedipine, Amlodipine
Mechanism of Action: Blocks calcium channels in blood vessels
Complications/Side Effects: Reflex tachycardia, peripheral edema
Beta Adrenergic Blockers
Oral Options: Metoprolol, Propranolol, Atenolol
Mechanism of Action: Decreases heart rate, cardiac output
Complications/Side Effects: Bradycardia, orthostatic hypotension
Anticoagulants
Heparin and Low Molecular Weight Heparin
Options: Heparin, Enoxaparin
Mechanism of Action: Activates antithrombin to inhibit fibrin
Complications/Side Effects: Hemorrhage, requires monitoring
Vitamin K Antagonists
Oral Option: Warfarin
Mechanism of Action: Antagonizes Vitamin K
Complications/Side Effects: Hemorrhage, toxicity
Antiplatelets
Oral Options: Aspirin, Clopidogrel
Mechanism of Action: Inhibits clot formation
Complications/Side Effects: GI effects, bleeding
Insulin
Classes: Rapid, Short, Intermediate, Long, Mixed
Complications/Side Effects: Hypoglycemia, hypokalemia
NSAIDs
1st Generation Options: Aspirin, Ibuprofen
2nd Generation Option: Celecoxib
Complications/Side Effects: GI discomfort, bleeding
Antihistamines
1st Generation
Oral Option: Diphenhydramine
Complications/Side Effects: Sedation, dry mouth
2nd Generation
Oral Options: Loratadine, Cetirizine
Complications/Side Effects: Generally less sedation
Proton Pump Inhibitors
Oral/IV Options: Omeprazole, Pantoprazole
Complications/Side Effects: Bacterial colonization, hypomagnesemia
Antiemetics
Serotonin Antagonists
Oral/IV Option: Ondansetron
Complications/Side Effects: Headache, prolonged QT
Dopamine Antagonists
Oral/IV Option: Metoclopramide
Complications/Side Effects: Extrapyramidal symptoms
Anticholinergic
Transdermal Option: Scopolamine
Complications/Side Effects: sedation
Laxatives
Bulk-Forming
Example: Psyllium
Surfactant
Example: Docusate sodium
Osmotic
Examples: Magnesium hydroxide, Lactulose
Stimulant
Examples: Bisacodyl, Senna
Summary on Eye Drops
Beta Adrenergic Blockers: Example: Timolol
Alpha-2 Adrenergic Agonists: Example: Brimonidine
Prostaglandin Analogs: Example: Latanoprost
Cholinergic Agonists: Example: Pilocarpine
Adrenergic Agonists: Example: Phenylephrine
Anticholinergics: Example: Atropine