Drug Class Overview for Pharmacodynamics and Chemotherapy

GASTROINTESTINAL DRUGS\n- Indications: Peptic Ulcer Disease (PUD), GERD, constipation, diarrhea, nausea/vomiting.\n- Drug Classes & Examples:\n - Antacids: Aluminum hydroxide, Magnesium hydroxide.\n - H2-Receptor Antagonists: Famotidine, Ranitidine.\n - Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs): Omeprazole, Pantoprazole.\n - Antiemetics: Ondansetron, Promethazine.\n- Actions: Neutralize gastric acid, inhibit acid secretion, enhance GI motility.\n- Dosage & Routes:\n - Oral: Omeprazole $20-40\text{ mg}$ daily; Antacids $15-30\text{ ml}$ as needed.\n - IV/IM: Pantoprazole $40\text{ mg}$; Ondansetron $4\text{ mg}$.\n- Side Effects:\n - Aluminum: Constipation; Magnesium: Diarrhea.\n - PPIs: Headache, potential increased risk of $C. difficile$.\n- Nursing Responsibilities: Assess bowel patterns, monitor hydration, educate on timing (PPIs before meals).\n\n### RENAL DRUGS\n- Indications: Hypertension, edema, renal failure, electrolyte imbalance.\n- Drug Classes & Examples:\n - Loop Diuretics: Furosemide, Bumetanide.\n - Thiazide Diuretics: Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ).\n - Potassium-Sparing Diuretics: Spironolactone.\n- Actions: Promote urine output, inhibit sodium/water reabsorption, correct electrolyte abnormalities.\n- Dosage & Routes:\n - Oral: Furosemide $20-80\text{ mg}$; HCTZ $12.5-25\text{ mg}$.\n - IV: Furosemide (slow push to avoid ototoxicity).\n- Side Effects: Hypokalemia (Loop/Thiazide), Hyperkalemia (Spironolactone), hypotension, dehydration.\n- Nursing Responsibilities: Monitor fluid intake/output, daily weights, BP, and serum potassium levels.\n\n### SPECIAL SENSES DRUGS\n- Indications: Glaucoma, conjunctivitis, ear infections, nasal congestion.\n- Drug Classes & Examples:\n - Miotics: Pilocarpine (for Glaucoma).\n - Mydriatics: Atropine (for eye exams).\n - Antibiotic Drops: Ciprofloxacin, Tobramycin.\n - Decongestants: Oxymetazoline.\n- Actions: Reduce intraocular pressure, constrict/dilate pupils, treat infections.\n- Dosage & Routes:\n - Topical: $1-2$ drops in recovery or affected eye/ear.\n- Side Effects: Local irritation, blurred vision, systemic absorption effects (bradycardia with some beta-blocker drops).\n- Nursing Responsibilities: Maintain aseptic technique, apply pressure to lacrimal duct for eye drops.\n\n### MUSCULOSKELETAL DRUGS\n- Indications: Arthritis, gout, muscle spasms, pain, inflammation.\n- Drug Classes & Examples:\n - NSAIDs: Ibuprofen, Naproxen, Celecoxib.\n - Muscle Relaxants: Cyclobenzaprine, Baclofen.\n - Antigout Agents: Allopurinol, Colchicine.\n- Actions: Reduce pain/inflammation via COX inhibition, relax muscles, lower uric acid levels.\n- Dosage & Routes:\n - Oral: Ibuprofen $400-800\text{ mg}$ every $6-8$ hours; Allopurinol $100-300\text{ mg}$ daily.\n- Side Effects: GI upset/ulcers (NSAIDs), drowsiness (Relaxants), bone marrow suppression (Allopurinol).\n- Nursing Responsibilities: Monitor pain relief, assess for GI bleeding (black stools), encourage hydration with antigout agents.\n\n### REPRODUCTIVE DRUGS\n- Indications: Hormonal contraception, infertility, menopause, erectile dysfunction.\n- Drug Classes & Examples:\n - Estrogens/Progestins: Ethinyl Estradiol, Levonorgestrel.\n - Ovulation Stimulants: Clomiphene.\n - PDE-5 Inhibitors: Sildenafil (for ED).\n- Actions: Regulate hormones, stimulate ovulation, enhance blood flow to erectile tissue.\n- Dosage & Routes:\n - Oral: Contraceptives taken daily.\n - Transdermal: Estrogen patches.\n- Side Effects: Nausea, headache, thromboembolism (blood clots), priapism (PDE-5 inhibitors).\n- Nursing Responsibilities: Educate on smoking cessation (reduces clot risk), monitor BP, check adherence.\n\n### SKIN DRUGS (DERMATOLOGICAL AGENTS)\n- Indications: Acne, eczema, infections, psoriasis.\n- Drug Classes & Examples:\n - Retinoids: Tretinoin, Isotretinoin.\n - Antifungals: Clotrimazole, Ketoconazole.\n - Topical Steroids: Hydrocortisone, Betamethasone.\n- Actions: Keratolytic, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory.\n- Dosage & Routes:\n - Topical: Thin layer applied $1-3$ times daily.\n- Side Effects: Skin irritation, thinning of skin (steroids), photosensitivity (retinoids).\n- Nursing Responsibilities: Clean area before application, wear gloves, educate on sun protection.\n\n### NERVOUS SYSTEM DRUGS\n- Indications: Pain, anxiety, depression, epilepsy, Parkinson’s.\n- Drug Classes & Examples:\n - Opioid Analgesics: Morphine, Hydromorphone.\n - Benzodiazepines: Diazepam, Lorazepam.\n - Antidepressants: Fluoxetine (SSRI), Amitriptyline (TCA).\n - Anticonvulsants: Phenytoin, Gabapentin.\n- Actions: Alter CNS neurotransmitters (GABA, Serotonin, Dopamine), block pain receptors.\n- Dosage & Routes:\n - Oral, IV, IM, Transdermal (Fentanyl patches).\n- Side Effects: Respiratory depression (Opioids), sedation, dependence, dry mouth (TCAs).\n- Nursing Responsibilities: Monitor respiratory rate, assess mental status/sedation, implement fall precautions.\n\n### ENDOCRINE DRUGS\n- Indications: Diabetes, thyroid disorders, adrenal insufficiency.\n- Drug Classes & Examples:\n - Insulins: Lispro (rapid), NPH (intermediate), Glargine (long-acting).\n - Biguanides: Metformin.\n - Thyroid Hormones: Levothyroxine.\n- Actions: Replace deficient hormones, control glucose metabolism.\n- Dosage & Routes:\n - Subcutaneous: Insulins (units vary based on sliding scale).\n - Oral: Metformin $500-1000\text{ mg}$; Levothyroxine $mcg$ doses.\n- Side Effects: Hypoglycemia (Insulin/Sulfonylureas), weight gain, GI distress (Metformin).\n- Nursing Responsibilities: Monitor blood glucose, educate on rotation of injection sites and diet timing.\n\n### CANCER DRUGS (ANTINEOPLASTICS)\n- Indications: Treatment of malignant tumors.\n- Drug Classes & Examples:\n - Alkylating Agents: Cyclophosphamide.\n - Antimetabolites: Methotrexate, Fluorouracil ($5-FU$).\n - Antitumor Antibiotics: Doxorubicin.\n- Actions: Destroy/inhibit growth of cancer cells, interfere with DNA/RNA replication.\n- Dosage & Routes:\n - IV: Central line/Port-a-cath usually required; Oral (Methotrexate).\n- Side Effects: Bone marrow suppression (anemia, neutropenia), alopecia, severe nausea/vomiting (emetogenic effect).\n- Nursing Responsibilities: Monitor CBC/Platelets, monitor for signs of infection (fever), manage stomatitis/oral care.