TOP 50 DRUGS-NURSING
Albuterol Aerosol is - ANS-Class: Bronchodilator Beta 2 agonist
Thera: Bronchodilation for asthma, COPD, acute bronchospasm
SE: Nervousness, restlessness, tremor, chest pain, palpitations.
-- Assess lung sound before & after TX. Observe for paradoxical bronchospasm
(wheezing). Consider aerochamber. Monitor K+ and glucose. Rinse mouth with
water to minimize dry mouth.
(Ambien) zolpidem - ANS-Class: Sedative / hypnotic
Thera: Sedation and induction of sleep
SE: Amnesia, daytime drowsiness, drugged feeling, physical & psychological
dependence, tolerance, GI effects
-- Assess sleep, mental status, potential for dependence. Don't use more than 7-
10 days. Avoid ETOH & other CNS depressants
(Ativan) lorazepam - ANS-Class: Antianxiety Sedative / hypnotic. Benzodiazepine.
Thera:Management of anxiety, insomnia, Status Epilepticus. Preoperative
sedation. Postoperative amnesia
SE: Dizziness, drowsiness, lethargy, APNEA, CARDIAC ARREST with rapid IVP
-- Assess anxiety, mental status,. Avoid ETOH & other CNS depressants
(Avandia) rosiglitazone - ANS-Class: Antidiabetic. Thiazolidinediones
Thera: Decrease insulin resistance
SE: Edema, anemia, wt gain, increased cholesterol
-- Monitor for fluid retention, hypoglycemia. Check PLFTs & CBC High Alert
Medication!
(Cardiazem ) diltiazem - ANS-Class: Antianginal antiarrhythimics (class IV)
antihypertensive. CA++ channel blocker
Thera: Decreased blood pressure. Coronary vasodilation. Antiarrhythimic
SE: Arrhythmias. CHF. Peripheral edema, Postural hypotension
, -- Assess for signs of CHF. Monitor BP &P, notify < 50 bpm. May cause drowsiness
of dizziness. Caution patient to avoid driving until response to medication is
known. Gingival hyperplasia-teach good oral care
(Celebrex ) celecoxib - ANS-Class:NSAIDs, COX-2 inhibitor
Thera: Analgesic, anti- inflammatory, & anti- pyretic
SE: GI BLEEDING, dermal rash, GI effects
-- Assess pain, ROM and swelling. Do not give if allergic to sulfonamides, aspirin or
NSAIDs. Watch for tarry stools.
(Cozaar) losartan - ANS-Class: Angiotensin II receptor blocker
Thera: Antihypertensive. Decreases risk of stroke.
SE: Orthostatic hypotension, diarrhea. Dizziness, ANGIOEDEMA. Use cautiously in
CHF
-- Assess orthostatic blood pressures. Use care when changing positions to
prevent orthostatic hypotension. Monitor BUN/Creatinine for possible early renal
failure.
(Coumadin) warfarin - ANS-Class:Anticoagulant. Interferes with hepative
syntheses of Vitamin K- dependant clotting factors
Thera: Prophylaxis/Treatment of venous &/or pulmonary embolism (PE) and atrial
fibrillation w/ embolization. Antidote = Vitamin K
SE: Bleeding. Numerous drugs and natural products affect the activity of warfarin!
-- Asses for bleeding, or increased thrombosis. Check INR/PT before
administration and regularly. PT may be 1.3-1.5 times greater than control. INR
goal dependent on medical diagnosis. Maintain consistent vitamin K, Take in
evening. Avoid ETOH & OTC medications. High Alert Medication
(Deltasone) prednisone - ANS-Class:Anti-inflammatory. (intermediate acting)
corticosteroid
Thera: inflammation & modification of the normal immune response;
replacement therapy in adrenal insufficiency. Management of cerebral edema.
Potentiates anti-N/V action of Zofran.
SE: PEPTIC ULCERATION, THROMBOEMBOLISM, mood changes, hypertension,
anorexia, nausea, acne, decreased wound healing, ecchymosis, fragility, hirsutism,
Albuterol Aerosol is - ANS-Class: Bronchodilator Beta 2 agonist
Thera: Bronchodilation for asthma, COPD, acute bronchospasm
SE: Nervousness, restlessness, tremor, chest pain, palpitations.
-- Assess lung sound before & after TX. Observe for paradoxical bronchospasm
(wheezing). Consider aerochamber. Monitor K+ and glucose. Rinse mouth with
water to minimize dry mouth.
(Ambien) zolpidem - ANS-Class: Sedative / hypnotic
Thera: Sedation and induction of sleep
SE: Amnesia, daytime drowsiness, drugged feeling, physical & psychological
dependence, tolerance, GI effects
-- Assess sleep, mental status, potential for dependence. Don't use more than 7-
10 days. Avoid ETOH & other CNS depressants
(Ativan) lorazepam - ANS-Class: Antianxiety Sedative / hypnotic. Benzodiazepine.
Thera:Management of anxiety, insomnia, Status Epilepticus. Preoperative
sedation. Postoperative amnesia
SE: Dizziness, drowsiness, lethargy, APNEA, CARDIAC ARREST with rapid IVP
-- Assess anxiety, mental status,. Avoid ETOH & other CNS depressants
(Avandia) rosiglitazone - ANS-Class: Antidiabetic. Thiazolidinediones
Thera: Decrease insulin resistance
SE: Edema, anemia, wt gain, increased cholesterol
-- Monitor for fluid retention, hypoglycemia. Check PLFTs & CBC High Alert
Medication!
(Cardiazem ) diltiazem - ANS-Class: Antianginal antiarrhythimics (class IV)
antihypertensive. CA++ channel blocker
Thera: Decreased blood pressure. Coronary vasodilation. Antiarrhythimic
SE: Arrhythmias. CHF. Peripheral edema, Postural hypotension
, -- Assess for signs of CHF. Monitor BP &P, notify < 50 bpm. May cause drowsiness
of dizziness. Caution patient to avoid driving until response to medication is
known. Gingival hyperplasia-teach good oral care
(Celebrex ) celecoxib - ANS-Class:NSAIDs, COX-2 inhibitor
Thera: Analgesic, anti- inflammatory, & anti- pyretic
SE: GI BLEEDING, dermal rash, GI effects
-- Assess pain, ROM and swelling. Do not give if allergic to sulfonamides, aspirin or
NSAIDs. Watch for tarry stools.
(Cozaar) losartan - ANS-Class: Angiotensin II receptor blocker
Thera: Antihypertensive. Decreases risk of stroke.
SE: Orthostatic hypotension, diarrhea. Dizziness, ANGIOEDEMA. Use cautiously in
CHF
-- Assess orthostatic blood pressures. Use care when changing positions to
prevent orthostatic hypotension. Monitor BUN/Creatinine for possible early renal
failure.
(Coumadin) warfarin - ANS-Class:Anticoagulant. Interferes with hepative
syntheses of Vitamin K- dependant clotting factors
Thera: Prophylaxis/Treatment of venous &/or pulmonary embolism (PE) and atrial
fibrillation w/ embolization. Antidote = Vitamin K
SE: Bleeding. Numerous drugs and natural products affect the activity of warfarin!
-- Asses for bleeding, or increased thrombosis. Check INR/PT before
administration and regularly. PT may be 1.3-1.5 times greater than control. INR
goal dependent on medical diagnosis. Maintain consistent vitamin K, Take in
evening. Avoid ETOH & OTC medications. High Alert Medication
(Deltasone) prednisone - ANS-Class:Anti-inflammatory. (intermediate acting)
corticosteroid
Thera: inflammation & modification of the normal immune response;
replacement therapy in adrenal insufficiency. Management of cerebral edema.
Potentiates anti-N/V action of Zofran.
SE: PEPTIC ULCERATION, THROMBOEMBOLISM, mood changes, hypertension,
anorexia, nausea, acne, decreased wound healing, ecchymosis, fragility, hirsutism,
