Medication list

Drug nameActionUsesContraindicationsDosage and routeSide effectspharmacokineticsInteractionsTreatment of overdoseNursing considerations

Drug name Ferrous gluconate (Fergon)Action Replaces iron stores needed for red blood cell development as well

as energy and oxygen transportUses Iron deficiency anemia, prophylaxis for iron deficiency in

pregnancy, nutritional supplementationContraindications Sideroblastic anemia, thalassemia, hemosiderosis/hemochromatosisDosage and route Adult: 50-100mg elemental iron tid

Child: 3mg/kg/day in divided dosesSide effects GI: nausea, constipation, epigastric pain, black and red tarry stools,

vomiting, diarrheaINTEG: temporarily discolored tooth enamel and eyesSYST: hypersensitivity reactions

pharmacokinetics PO: excreted in feces, urine, skin, breast milk, enters bloodstream; bound to transferrin; crosses placenta

InteractionsTreatment of overdose Induce vomiting, give eggs, milk until lavage can be doneNursing considerations

Drug name AcetaminophenAction May block pain impulses peripherally that occur in response to

inhibition of prostaglandin synthesisUses Mild to moderate pain or fever, arthralgia, dental pain,

dysmenorrhea, headache, myalgia, osteoarthritisContraindications hypersensitivityDosage and routeSide effects GI: nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, hepatotoxicity, hepatic

seizure, GI bleedingGU: renal failure (high, prolonged doses)Hema: leukopenia, neutropenia, hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, pancytopenia

INTEG: rash, urticarial, injection site painSYST: hypersensitivityTOXICITY: cyanosis, anemia, neutropenia, jaundice, pancytopenia, CNS stimulation, delirium followed by vascular collapse, seizures, coma, death

pharmacokinetics 85-90% metabolized by live, excreted by kidneys; metabolites may be toxic if overdose occurs; widely distributed; crosses placenta in low concentrations; excreted in breast milk, half-life: 1-4 hrPO: onset 10-30min, peak ½-2 hr, duration 4-6hr, well absorbedIV: peak 30-120minRECT: onset slow, peak 1-2 hr, duration 4-6 hr, absorption varies

InteractionsTreatment of overdose Product level, gastric lavage, activated charcoal, administer oral

acetylcysteine to prevent hepatic damage, monitor for bleedingNursing considerations

Drug name Acetylsalicylic acidAction Antiplatelet effect by stopping the binding together of platelets and

preventing a patch over damaged walls of blood vesselsUses Used to treat pan, fever and inflammationContraindicationsDosage and routeSide effectspharmacokineticsInteractionsTreatment of overdoseNursing considerations

Drug name Betaxolol (Betoptic-S)Action Can decrease aqueous humor and increase outflowsUses Treatment of chronic open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertensionContraindicationsDosage and routeSide effectspharmacokineticsInteractionsTreatment of overdoseNursing considerations

Drug name Bisoprolol (Zebeta)Action Preferentially and competitively blocks stimulation of B1-

adrenergic receptors within cardiac muscle (decreases rate of SA node discharge, increased recovery time, slows conduction of AV node, decreases heart rate, which decreases 02 consumption in myocardium, decreases RAA system, inhibits B2-receptors in bronchial and vascular smooth muscle at high doses

Uses Mild to moderate hypertension, unlabeled use: stable angina, stable CHF

ContraindicationsDosage and routeSide effectspharmacokineticsInteractionsTreatment of overdoseNursing considerations

Drug name Enteric coated latanoprost (Xalatan)Action Increases aqueous humor outflowUses Increased intraocular pressure in those who have open-angle

glaucoma/ocular hypertension and who do not respond to other IOP-lowering products

ContraindicationsDosage and routeSide effectspharmacokineticsInteractionsTreatment of overdoseNursing considerations

Drug name Calcium carbonate (Tums, softchew, os-cal, rolaids, Maalox antacid, chooz, calcite caltrate, calciday, calci-mix, calci-chew, calcarb, biocal, apo-cal, amitone, alkamints)

Action Neutralizes gastric acidityUses Antacid, calcium supplement, not suitable for chronic therapy,

hyperphosphatemia, hypertension during pregnancy, osteoporosis, prevention, treatment of hypocalcemia, hypoparathyroidism

ContraindicationsDosage and routeSide effectspharmacokineticsInteractionsTreatment of overdose

Nursing considerations

Drug name Docusate sodium (colace, correctol, dicoto, docu DOK, doculace, enemeez, fleet pedialax, flee sof-lax, phillips liquid-gels, selex, silace, soflax

Action Increases water, fat penetration in intestine, allows for easier passage of stool

Uses Prevention of dry, hard stoolsContraindicationsDosage and routeSide effectspharmacokineticsInteractionsTreatment of overdoseNursing considerations

Drug name Enoxaparin sodium (lovenox)Action Binds to antithrombin III inactivating factors Xa/IIa, thereby

resulting in a higher ratio of anti-factor Xa to IIaUses Prevention of DVT (inpatient or outpatient), PE (inpatient( in hip

and knee replacement, abdominal surgery at risk for thrombosis, unstable angina, acute MI, coronary artery thrombosis

ContraindicationsDosage and routeSide effectspharmacokineticsInteractionsTreatment of overdoseNursing considerations

Drug name Nifedipine (Adalat CC, adalat XL, afeditab CR, procardia, Procardia XL)

Action Inhibits calcium ion influx across cell membrane during cardiac depolarization, relaxes coronary vascular smooth muscle, dilates coronary arteries, increases myocardial oxygen delivery in patients with vasopastic angina, dilates peripheral arteries

Uses Chronic stable angina pectoris, variant angina, hypertension (unlabeled use=migraines, migraine prophylaxis, preterm labor, chronic/acute hypertension, (pediatrics), diabetic nephropathy, proteinuria, hiccups

ContraindicationsDosage and route

Side effectspharmacokineticsInteractionsTreatment of overdoseNursing considerations

Drug name Vitamin D (ergocalciferol)Action Absorption of calcium from the stomach and for the functioning of

calcium in the bodyUses Hypoparathyroidism, rickets, low levels of phosphateContraindicationsDosage and routeSide effectspharmacokineticsInteractionsTreatment of overdoseNursing considerations

Drug name Bisacodyl (carter’s little pills, codulax, dacodyl, doxidan, dulcolax, ex-lax ultra, femilax, soflax-ex)

Action Acts directly on intestine by increasing motor activity; thought to irritate colonic intramural plexus

Uses Short-term treatment of constipation, bowel or rectal preparation for surgery, examination

ContraindicationsDosage and routeSide effectspharmacokineticsInteractionsTreatment of overdoseNursing considerations

Drug name Sodium phosphate enemaAction Pulls water from the body into the bowel, which helps to soften the

stool and cause a bowel movementUses Treating constipation or cleansing the bowel before certain medical

procedures. ContraindicationsDosage and routeSide effectspharmacokineticsInteractions

Treatment of overdoseNursing considerations

Drug name Oxycodone (oxecta, oxy-contin, oxy IR, Roxicodone, supeudolAction Inhibits ascending pain pathways in CNS, increases pain threshold,

alters pain perceptionUses Moderate to severe pain (unlabeled uses=postherpetic neuralgic

(cont rel)ContraindicationsDosage and routeSide effectspharmacokineticsInteractionsTreatment of overdoseNursing considerations

Drug name Lactulose (constulose, enulose, generlac, kristalose)Action Prevents absorption of ammonia in colon by acidifying stool,

increases water, softens stoolUses Chronic constipation, portal-systemic encephalopathy in patients

with hepatic diseaseContraindicationsDosage and routeSide effectspharmacokineticsInteractionsTreatment of overdoseNursing considerations

Drug name Ramipril (altace)Action Selectively suppresses RAA system; inhibits ACE, prevents

conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II; results in dilation of arterial, venous vessels

Uses Hypertension, CHF (post-MI), reduction in risk for MI, stroke, death from CV disorders

Contraindications Breastfeeding, children, hypersensitivity to ACE inhibitors, history of Ace-inhibitor-induced angioedema

Dosage and route Hypertension:- Adult: PO 2.5 mg/day initially, then 2.5-20 mg/day divided

bid or dailyCHF post-MI

- Adult: PO 1.25-2.5 mg bid; may increase to 5 mg bid

Reduction in risk for MI, stroke, death- Adult: PO 2.5 mg/day x 7 days, then 5 mg/day x 21 days,

then may increase to 10 mg/dayRenal dose

- Adult: PO CCr <40 ml/min, reduce by 50%, titrate upward to max 5 mg/day

Side effects CNS: headaches, dizziness, anxiety, insomnia, paresthesia, fatigue, depression, malaise, vertigo, syncopeCV: hypotension, chest pain, palpitations, angina, syncope, dysrhythmia, heart failure, MIEENT: hearing lossGI: nausea, constipation, vomiting, dyspepsia, dysphagia, anorexia, diarrhea, abdominal pain, hepatitis, hepatic failure, pancreatitis, hepatic necrosisGI: proteinuria, increased BUN, creatinine, impotenceHEMA: decreased Hct, Hgb, eosinophilia, leukopenia, pancytopenia, thrombocytopenia, agranulocytosisINTEG: rash, sweating, photosensitivity, pruritusMETA: hyperkalemia, hyperglycemiaMISC: angioedema, toxic epidermal necrolysis, anaphylaxis, stevens-johnson syndromeMS: arthralgia, arthritis, myalgiaRESP: cough, dyspnea

pharmacokineticsInteractionsTreatment of overdoseNursing considerations

Drug name Amlodipine besylate (Azor, Caduet, Exforge, Lotrel, Norvasc)Action Inhibits calcium ion influx across cell membrane during cardiac

depolarization; produces relaxation of coronary vascular smooth muscle, peripheral vascular smooth muscle, dilates coronary vascular arteries, increased myocardial 02 delivery in apteints with vasospastic angina

Uses Chronic stable angina pectoris, hypertension, variant anginaContraindicationsDosage and routeSide effectspharmacokineticsInteractionsTreatment of overdoseNursing considerations

Drug name Morphine sulphateAction Depresses pain impulse transmission at the spinal cord level by

interacting with opioid receptorsUses Moderate to severe painContraindicationsDosage and routeSide effectspharmacokineticsInteractionsTreatment of overdoseNursing considerations

Drug name Pantoprazole (panto, pantoloc, protonix, prontonix IV, tecta)Action Suppresses gastric secretion by inhibiting hydrogen/potassium

ATPase enzyme system in gastric parietal cell; characterized as gastric acid pump inhibitor because it blocks the final step of acid production

Uses GERD, severe erosive esophagitis, maintenance of long-term pathologic hyper secretory conditions, including zollinger-ellison syndrome

ContraindicationsDosage and routeSide effectspharmacokineticsInteractionsTreatment of overdoseNursing considerations

Drug name Atorvastatin calcium (Lipitor)Action Reduces levels of “bad” cholesterol (LDL) and triglcyerides in the

blood, while increasing levels of HDLUses Used to treat high cholesterol, lower the risk of stroke, heart attack,

coronary heart disease, heart complications in people with type 2 diabetes

ContraindicationsDosage and routeSide effectspharmacokineticsInteractionsTreatment of overdoseNursing considerations

Drug name Magnesium/aluminum hydroxide (dulcolax, MOM, phillips’ milk of magnesia)

Action Increases osmotic pressure, draws fluid into colon, neutralizes HCLUses Constipation, dyspepsia, bowel preparation before surgery or exam,

anticonvulsant for preeclampsia, eclampsia; electrolyte, cardiac glycoside-induced arrhythmias, nutritional supplement

ContraindicationsDosage and routeSide effectspharmacokineticsInteractionsTreatment of overdoseNursing considerations

Drug name Dimenhydrinate (apo-dimenhydrinate, Dramamine, driminate, gravol)

Action Competes with histamine for H1 receptors in GI tract, blood vessels, respiratory tract, central anticholinergic activity, which results in decreased vestibular stimulation and blockade of chemoreceptor trigger zone

Uses Motion sickness, nausea, vomiting, vertigoContraindicationsDosage and routeSide effectspharmacokineticsInteractionsTreatment of overdoseNursing considerations

Drug name Sennosides (Senna-Lax and Senokot)Action Stimulant laxative. Irritates bowel tissues, resulting in bowel

movementsUses Treating constipationContraindicationsDosage and routeSide effectspharmacokineticsInteractionsTreatment of overdoseNursing considerations

Drug name Azithromycin (Zithromax, Zmax, Zithromax)Action Binds to 50S ribosomal subunits of susceptible bacteria and

supresses protein synthesis; much greater spectrum of activity than erthryomycin; more effective against gram-negative organisms

Uses Mild to moderate infections of the upper respiratory tract, lower respiratory tract, uncomplicated skin and skin structure infections

ContraindicationsDosage and routeSide effectspharmacokineticsInteractionsTreatment of overdoseNursing considerations

Drug name Levothyroxine (Eltroxin, Levothroid, Levoxyl)Action Increases metabolic rate; controls protein synthesis; increases

cardiac output, renal blood flow, 02 consumption, body temperature, blood volume, growth, development at cellular level via action on thyroid hormone receptors

Uses Hypthyroidism, myxedema, coma, thyroid hormone replacement, thyrotoxicosis, congenital hypothyroidism, some types of thyroid cancer, pituitary TSH suppression

ContraindicationsDosage and routeSide effectspharmacokineticsInteractionsTreatment of overdoseNursing considerations

Drug name MultivitaminsAction Used to provide vitamins that are not taken in through the dietUses In disorders requiring parenteral administration of vitamins (post-

op, fever, severe burns, increased metabolism, pregnancy, GI disorders, prolonged or wasting diseases, alcoholism and other deficiencies

ContraindicationsDosage and routeSide effectspharmacokineticsInteractionsTreatment of overdoseNursing

considerations

Drug name Salbutamol sulphateAction Relieves the symptoms of asthma (wheezing, shortness of breath,

tightness in the chest and cough. Acts directly on the muscles in the walls of the airways in the lung causing the muscles to relax. This widens or opens up your airways making it easier to breathe

Uses Patients with asthmaContraindicationsDosage and routeSide effectspharmacokineticsInteractionsTreatment of overdoseNursing considerations

Drug name cholecalciferolAction Important for the absorption of calcium and for the functioning of

calcium in the bodyUses Treat or prevent many conditions caused by a lack of vitamin DContraindicationsDosage and routeSide effectspharmacokineticsInteractionsTreatment of overdoseNursing considerations

Drug name Mupirocin (bactroban)Action Antibacterial activity results from inhibition of protein synthesis;

bacteriostatic at low concentration, bactericidal at high concentration

Uses Impetigo, skin lesions (staphylococcus aureus/Streptococcus pyogenes); nasal: methicillin-resistant S. aureus

ContraindicationsDosage and routeSide effectspharmacokineticsInteractionsTreatment of overdoseNursing considerationsDrug name Buckley’s cough

Action Fast-acting relief for up to 6 hours from cold and flu symptoms Uses Cough, Chest congestionContraindicationsDosage and routeSide effectspharmacokineticsInteractionsTreatment of overdoseNursing considerations

November 12th 2015

Drug name Timelol maleate (timoptic, apo-timol, apo-timop, geno-timolol)Action Blocks beta-receptors, which primarily affect heart (slows rate),

vascular musculature (decreases BP) and lungs (reduces function). Reduces elevated and normal IOP via decreasing production of aqueous humor or increasing flow

Uses Treatment of hypertension, alone or in combination with other agents, reduction of risk of reinfarction post-MI, migraine prophylaxis; treatment of elevated IOP in chronic open-angle glaucoma, ocular hypertension, aphakic glaucoma patients, patients with secondary glaucoma, and in patients with elevated IOP who need ocular pressure lowering.

ContraindicationsDosage and routeSide effectspharmacokineticsInteractionsTreatment of overdoseNursing considerations

Drug name Hydrochlorothiazide (apo-hydro, ezide, neo-codema)Action Acts on distal tubule and ascending limb of loop of Henle by

increasing excretion of water, sodium, chloride, potassiumUses Edema, hypertension, diuresis, CHF; idiopathic lower extremity

edema therapyContraindicationsDosage and routeSide effectspharmacokineticsInteractionsTreatment of overdoseNursing

considerations

Drug name Lansoprazole ( prevacid, prevacid solutab)Action Sugastric secetion by inhibiting hydrogen/potassium ATPase

enzyme system in gastric parietal cell; characterized as gastric acid pump inhibitor because it blocks the final step of acid production

Uses GERD, severe erosive esophagitis, poorly responsive systemic GERD, pathologic hyper secretory conditions (zollinger-ellison syndrome, systemic mastocytosis, mutilple endocrine adenomas); possibly effective for treatment of duodenal, gastric ulcers, maintenance of healed duodenal ulcers

ContraindicationsDosage and routeSide effectspharmacokineticsInteractionsTreatment of overdoseNursing considerations

Drug name Ciprofloxacin (Cipro)Action Interferes with conversion of intermediate DNA fragments into

high-molecular-weight DNA in bacteria; DNA gyrase inhibitorUses Infection caused by susceptible E.coli, Enterobacter cloacae, proteus

mirabilis, klebsiella, pneumoniae, proteus vulagris, citrobacter freundii, serratia marcescens, pseudomonas aeruginosa, staphylococcus aureus, staphylococcus epidermidis, Enterobacter, camplylobacter jejuni, salmonella; chronic bacterial prostatitis, acute sinusitis, postexposure inhalation anthrax, infectious diarrhea, typhoid fever, complicated intraabdominal infections, nosocomial pneumonia, urinary tract infections

ContraindicationsDosage and routeSide effectspharmacokineticsInteractionsTreatment of overdoseNursing considerations

November 26th 2015

Drug name Citalopram (celeXA)Action Inhibits CNS neuron uptake of serotonin but not of norepinephrine;

weak inhibitor of CYP450 enzyme system, thus making it more appealing than other products

Uses Major depressive disorderContraindicationsDosage and routeSide effectspharmacokineticsInteractionsTreatment of overdoseNursing considerations

Drug name Donepezil Hydrochloride (Aricept, Aricept ODT)Action Elevates acetylcholine concentrations (cerebral cortex) by slowing

degradation of acetylcholine released in cholinergic neurons; does not alter underlying dementia

Uses Mild to severe dementia with Alzheimer’s diseaseContraindicationsDosage and routeSide effectspharmacokineticsInteractionsTreatment of overdoseNursing considerations

Drug name Levodopa/Carbidopa (Parcopa, Sinemet, Sinemet CR)Action Decarboxylation of levodopa in periphery is inhibited by carbidopa;

more levodopa is made available for transport to the brain and for conversion to dopamine in the brain

Uses Parkinson’s disease, parkinsonism resulting from carbon monoxide, chronic manganese intoxication, cerebral arteriosclerosis

ContraindicationsDosage and routeSide effectspharmacokineticsInteractionsTreatment of overdoseNursing considerations

Drug name Soap Suds Enema

Action Uses a mixture of a mild soap and warm water injected into the colon in order to stimulate a bowel movement. 

Uses given to relieve constipation or for bowel cleansing before a medical examination or procedure

ContraindicationsDosage and routeSide effectspharmacokineticsInteractionsTreatment of overdoseNursing considerations

Drug name Lorazepam (Ativan)Action Potentiates the actions of GABA, especially in the limbic system

and the reticular formationUses Anxiety, irritability with psychiatric or organic disorders,

preoperatively; insomnia; adjunct for endoscopic procedures, status epilepticus

ContraindicationsDosage and routeSide effectspharmacokineticsInteractionsTreatment of overdoseNursing considerations

Drug name Diclofenac Diethylamine (Voltaren, Apo-Diclo, Novo-Difenac)Action Inhibitors COX-1, COX-2 by blocking arachidonate resulting in

analgesic, anti-inflammatory antipyretic effectUses Acute, chronic RA; osteoarthritis; ankylosing spondylitis, analgesia,

primary dysmenorrhea,; patch: mild to moderate painContraindicationsDosage and routeSide effectspharmacokineticsInteractionsTreatment of overdoseNursing considerations