Drugs to know patient teaching:
Albuterol
Tell patient to swallow extended- release tablets whole to not to mix
them w food.
Teach patient signs and symptoms of paradoxical bronchospasm.-->
worsening breathing and wheezing. stop taking drug and contact
prescriber if these occur.
Notify prescriber immediately if prescribed dosage fails to provide
usual reliefmay indicate seriously worsening asthma.
Limit intake of caffeine & avoid herbs unless prescriber approves.
Take drug well before bedtime to minimize insomnia.
Adrenergic inhalers ( this kind) are used before anti-cholinergic or
steroid inhalers.
Inhalations of the same medications should be 1 min apart, and
inhalations of different medications should be 5 min apart; rinse
mouth.
Antibiotics
Antidepressants
Antitussives
Baclofen
Advise patient to take oral dose with food or milk
Caution patient not to discontinue drug therapy abruptly.
o Doing so may cause hallucinations and rebound spasticity
Avoid alcohol and other depressants such as sedatives while taking
drug
Take with food to decrease stomach irritation.
Increase fluid intake and bulk in diet to decrease likelihood of
constipation.
Report symptoms of urinary retention.
Calcium channel blockers
Cholestyramine
Report:
o yellowing of skin or eyes
o easy bruising or bleeding
o petechiae bleeding under skin that looks like a rash
o black tarry stoos vit K may be necessary
Take drug 1 hour before or 4-6 hours after other drugs
Mix powder with food, juice, or milk before consuming
Take medication before meals. May be mixed with cool foods.
Constipation may occur.
Teach patient about diet in controlling cholesterol level and preventing
constipation
, Avoid inhaling or ingesting raw powder.
Cimetidine
Gastric ulcer may take 2 months to heal
It’s an antacid- histamine 2 receptor antagonists
Don’t discontinue, even if you feel better, without consulting
prescriber. Ulcer may recur if therapy ends too soon.
Advised patient not to take over the counter cimetidine for more than
two weeks continuously, except with prescriber's advice and
supervision.
Smoking interferes with the action of histamine 2 receptor antagonists.
Avoid:
o Alcohol
o aspirin or NSAIDs
o excessive amounts of caffeine
o foods that may cause an increase in GI irritation.
Report immediately signs of bone marrow suppression:
o Bleeding
o purpura (rash of purple spots d/t small blood vessels bursting
below skin)
o Sore throat.
Report confusion or hallucinations immediately.
Notify a HCP if difficulty swallowing occurs or abdominal pain persists.
Ciprofloxacin
Antibiotic- fluoroquinolone
Tell patient to take drug with or without food at the same time each
day.
Don’t take drug w dairy, calcium fortified juice, or w caffeinated
beverages.
Do not take with antacids.
Drink 8 ounces of water every hour while awake to ensure adequate
hydration
Instruct patient to stop taking drugs and notify prescriber at first sign
of:
o burning, numbness, or tingling in hands or feet. (paresthesia)
o Yellow eyes or skin
o unusual tiredness
o persistent diarrhea
o rash
o tendon pain, swelling, or inflammation risk of tendon
rupture/tendonitis
Avoid excessive exposure to sun or ultraviolet light
o discontinue drug and notify prescriber if phototoxicity occurs
If taking hormonal contraceptives use back up birth control method
Albuterol
Tell patient to swallow extended- release tablets whole to not to mix
them w food.
Teach patient signs and symptoms of paradoxical bronchospasm.-->
worsening breathing and wheezing. stop taking drug and contact
prescriber if these occur.
Notify prescriber immediately if prescribed dosage fails to provide
usual reliefmay indicate seriously worsening asthma.
Limit intake of caffeine & avoid herbs unless prescriber approves.
Take drug well before bedtime to minimize insomnia.
Adrenergic inhalers ( this kind) are used before anti-cholinergic or
steroid inhalers.
Inhalations of the same medications should be 1 min apart, and
inhalations of different medications should be 5 min apart; rinse
mouth.
Antibiotics
Antidepressants
Antitussives
Baclofen
Advise patient to take oral dose with food or milk
Caution patient not to discontinue drug therapy abruptly.
o Doing so may cause hallucinations and rebound spasticity
Avoid alcohol and other depressants such as sedatives while taking
drug
Take with food to decrease stomach irritation.
Increase fluid intake and bulk in diet to decrease likelihood of
constipation.
Report symptoms of urinary retention.
Calcium channel blockers
Cholestyramine
Report:
o yellowing of skin or eyes
o easy bruising or bleeding
o petechiae bleeding under skin that looks like a rash
o black tarry stoos vit K may be necessary
Take drug 1 hour before or 4-6 hours after other drugs
Mix powder with food, juice, or milk before consuming
Take medication before meals. May be mixed with cool foods.
Constipation may occur.
Teach patient about diet in controlling cholesterol level and preventing
constipation
, Avoid inhaling or ingesting raw powder.
Cimetidine
Gastric ulcer may take 2 months to heal
It’s an antacid- histamine 2 receptor antagonists
Don’t discontinue, even if you feel better, without consulting
prescriber. Ulcer may recur if therapy ends too soon.
Advised patient not to take over the counter cimetidine for more than
two weeks continuously, except with prescriber's advice and
supervision.
Smoking interferes with the action of histamine 2 receptor antagonists.
Avoid:
o Alcohol
o aspirin or NSAIDs
o excessive amounts of caffeine
o foods that may cause an increase in GI irritation.
Report immediately signs of bone marrow suppression:
o Bleeding
o purpura (rash of purple spots d/t small blood vessels bursting
below skin)
o Sore throat.
Report confusion or hallucinations immediately.
Notify a HCP if difficulty swallowing occurs or abdominal pain persists.
Ciprofloxacin
Antibiotic- fluoroquinolone
Tell patient to take drug with or without food at the same time each
day.
Don’t take drug w dairy, calcium fortified juice, or w caffeinated
beverages.
Do not take with antacids.
Drink 8 ounces of water every hour while awake to ensure adequate
hydration
Instruct patient to stop taking drugs and notify prescriber at first sign
of:
o burning, numbness, or tingling in hands or feet. (paresthesia)
o Yellow eyes or skin
o unusual tiredness
o persistent diarrhea
o rash
o tendon pain, swelling, or inflammation risk of tendon
rupture/tendonitis
Avoid excessive exposure to sun or ultraviolet light
o discontinue drug and notify prescriber if phototoxicity occurs
If taking hormonal contraceptives use back up birth control method
