Nursing/HESI Medication Master List
Brand, generic, class, uses, side effects, major warnings, contraindications, nursing considerations, labs, and memory tips
Study note: This is a nursing study guide, not a prescriber reference. Side effects below focus on common, serious, and
testable effects. Always verify exact indications, doses, contraindications, and warnings in the current medication
order/drug guide before giving a med.
Included classes
1. ACE Inhibitors
2. Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers (ARBs)
3. SSRIs
4. SNRIs
5. Antihistamines
6. Beta-Blockers
7. Calcium Channel Blockers
8. Statins
9. Biguanides
10. GLP-1 Receptor Agonists
11. SGLT-2 Inhibitors
12. Diuretics
13. NSAIDs
14. Opioid Analgesics
15. Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs)
16. Thyroid Medications
Nursing/HESI Medication Master List - study guide only - verify current order and drug guide before administration
,ACE Inhibitors
How it works Block angiotensin-converting enzyme. This relaxes vessels,
lowers BP, decreases aldosterone, and helps protect
heart/kidneys.
Major warnings Avoid in pregnancy. Watch for cough, angioedema, high
potassium, kidney changes.
Nursing/labs Check BP, potassium, BUN/creatinine/eGFR. Teach: report
face/lip/tongue swelling, trouble breathing, dry cough,
dizziness. Avoid salt substitutes unless provider approves.
Memory tip ACE = Airway swelling, Cough, Excess potassium.
Brand name Generic name Drug class Used for Side effects Extra nursing notes
/ red flags
Altace Ramipril ACE Inhibitors Hypertension Dry cough Avoid pregnancy.
- heart failure - hyperkalemia Watch K+ and renal
- post-MI - dizziness labs. Stop/report
cardioprotection - hypotension angioedema
- diabetic - angioedema immediately.
nephropathy - fatigue
- CKD renal - renal impairment
protection - headache
- syncope
- rash/taste changes
Lotensin Benazepril ACE Inhibitors Hypertension Dry cough Avoid pregnancy.
- CKD renal - hyperkalemia Watch K+ and renal
protection/off-label - dizziness labs. Stop/report
- adjunct in heart - hypotension angioedema
failure in some - angioedema immediately.
patients - headache
- renal impairment
- fatigue
- nausea
Prinivil / Zestril Lisinopril ACE Inhibitors Hypertension Dry cough Avoid pregnancy.
- heart failure - hyperkalemia Watch K+ and renal
- acute/post-MI - dizziness labs. Stop/report
- diabetic - hypotension angioedema
nephropathy/renal - angioedema immediately.
protection - fatigue
- headache
- renal dysfunction
- syncope
Vasotec Enalapril ACE Inhibitors Hypertension Dry cough Avoid pregnancy.
- heart failure - hyperkalemia Watch K+ and renal
- asymptomatic left - dizziness labs. Stop/report
ventricular - hypotension angioedema
dysfunction - angioedema immediately.
- fatigue
- renal impairment
- rash
Nursing/HESI Medication Master List - study guide only - verify current order and drug guide before administration
, Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers (ARBs)
How it works Block angiotensin II receptors. Similar benefits to ACE
inhibitors, usually less cough.
Major warnings Avoid in pregnancy. Watch potassium and kidney function.
Angioedema can still happen, but less common.
Nursing/labs Check BP, K+, BUN/Cr/eGFR. Teach: report swelling of
face/lips/tongue, dizziness, decreased urine.
Memory tip ARB = blocks Angiotensin Receptor; cough is usually not the
problem.
Brand name Generic name Drug class Used for Side effects Extra nursing notes
/ red flags
Atacand Candesartan Angiotensin II Hypertension Hyperkalemia Avoid pregnancy.
Receptor Blockers - heart failure - dizziness Watch K+ and renal
(ARBs) - diabetic - hypotension labs. Stop/report
nephropathy/renal - renal impairment angioedema
protection - back pain immediately.
- fatigue
Avapro Irbesartan Angiotensin II Hypertension Hyperkalemia Avoid pregnancy.
Receptor Blockers - diabetic - dizziness Watch K+ and renal
(ARBs) nephropathy in type 2 - fatigue labs. Stop/report
diabetes - renal impairment angioedema
- diarrhea immediately.
- hypotension
Cozaar Losartan Angiotensin II Hypertension Hyperkalemia Avoid pregnancy.
Receptor Blockers - diabetic - dizziness Watch K+ and renal
(ARBs) nephropathy - hypotension labs. Stop/report
- heart failure/off- - fatigue angioedema
label - back pain immediately.
- stroke risk - renal impairment
reduction in selected
patients
Diovan Valsartan Angiotensin II Hypertension Hyperkalemia Avoid pregnancy.
Receptor Blockers - heart failure - dizziness Watch K+ and renal
(ARBs) - post-MI left - hypotension labs. Stop/report
ventricular - fatigue angioedema
dysfunction - renal impairment immediately.
- abdominal pain
- diarrhea
Micardis Telmisartan Angiotensin II Hypertension Hyperkalemia Avoid pregnancy.
Receptor Blockers - cardiovascular risk - dizziness Watch K+ and renal
(ARBs) reduction in selected - diarrhea labs. Stop/report
patients - back pain angioedema
- renal impairment immediately.
- hypotension
Nursing/HESI Medication Master List - study guide only - verify current order and drug guide before administration
Brand, generic, class, uses, side effects, major warnings, contraindications, nursing considerations, labs, and memory tips
Study note: This is a nursing study guide, not a prescriber reference. Side effects below focus on common, serious, and
testable effects. Always verify exact indications, doses, contraindications, and warnings in the current medication
order/drug guide before giving a med.
Included classes
1. ACE Inhibitors
2. Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers (ARBs)
3. SSRIs
4. SNRIs
5. Antihistamines
6. Beta-Blockers
7. Calcium Channel Blockers
8. Statins
9. Biguanides
10. GLP-1 Receptor Agonists
11. SGLT-2 Inhibitors
12. Diuretics
13. NSAIDs
14. Opioid Analgesics
15. Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs)
16. Thyroid Medications
Nursing/HESI Medication Master List - study guide only - verify current order and drug guide before administration
,ACE Inhibitors
How it works Block angiotensin-converting enzyme. This relaxes vessels,
lowers BP, decreases aldosterone, and helps protect
heart/kidneys.
Major warnings Avoid in pregnancy. Watch for cough, angioedema, high
potassium, kidney changes.
Nursing/labs Check BP, potassium, BUN/creatinine/eGFR. Teach: report
face/lip/tongue swelling, trouble breathing, dry cough,
dizziness. Avoid salt substitutes unless provider approves.
Memory tip ACE = Airway swelling, Cough, Excess potassium.
Brand name Generic name Drug class Used for Side effects Extra nursing notes
/ red flags
Altace Ramipril ACE Inhibitors Hypertension Dry cough Avoid pregnancy.
- heart failure - hyperkalemia Watch K+ and renal
- post-MI - dizziness labs. Stop/report
cardioprotection - hypotension angioedema
- diabetic - angioedema immediately.
nephropathy - fatigue
- CKD renal - renal impairment
protection - headache
- syncope
- rash/taste changes
Lotensin Benazepril ACE Inhibitors Hypertension Dry cough Avoid pregnancy.
- CKD renal - hyperkalemia Watch K+ and renal
protection/off-label - dizziness labs. Stop/report
- adjunct in heart - hypotension angioedema
failure in some - angioedema immediately.
patients - headache
- renal impairment
- fatigue
- nausea
Prinivil / Zestril Lisinopril ACE Inhibitors Hypertension Dry cough Avoid pregnancy.
- heart failure - hyperkalemia Watch K+ and renal
- acute/post-MI - dizziness labs. Stop/report
- diabetic - hypotension angioedema
nephropathy/renal - angioedema immediately.
protection - fatigue
- headache
- renal dysfunction
- syncope
Vasotec Enalapril ACE Inhibitors Hypertension Dry cough Avoid pregnancy.
- heart failure - hyperkalemia Watch K+ and renal
- asymptomatic left - dizziness labs. Stop/report
ventricular - hypotension angioedema
dysfunction - angioedema immediately.
- fatigue
- renal impairment
- rash
Nursing/HESI Medication Master List - study guide only - verify current order and drug guide before administration
, Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers (ARBs)
How it works Block angiotensin II receptors. Similar benefits to ACE
inhibitors, usually less cough.
Major warnings Avoid in pregnancy. Watch potassium and kidney function.
Angioedema can still happen, but less common.
Nursing/labs Check BP, K+, BUN/Cr/eGFR. Teach: report swelling of
face/lips/tongue, dizziness, decreased urine.
Memory tip ARB = blocks Angiotensin Receptor; cough is usually not the
problem.
Brand name Generic name Drug class Used for Side effects Extra nursing notes
/ red flags
Atacand Candesartan Angiotensin II Hypertension Hyperkalemia Avoid pregnancy.
Receptor Blockers - heart failure - dizziness Watch K+ and renal
(ARBs) - diabetic - hypotension labs. Stop/report
nephropathy/renal - renal impairment angioedema
protection - back pain immediately.
- fatigue
Avapro Irbesartan Angiotensin II Hypertension Hyperkalemia Avoid pregnancy.
Receptor Blockers - diabetic - dizziness Watch K+ and renal
(ARBs) nephropathy in type 2 - fatigue labs. Stop/report
diabetes - renal impairment angioedema
- diarrhea immediately.
- hypotension
Cozaar Losartan Angiotensin II Hypertension Hyperkalemia Avoid pregnancy.
Receptor Blockers - diabetic - dizziness Watch K+ and renal
(ARBs) nephropathy - hypotension labs. Stop/report
- heart failure/off- - fatigue angioedema
label - back pain immediately.
- stroke risk - renal impairment
reduction in selected
patients
Diovan Valsartan Angiotensin II Hypertension Hyperkalemia Avoid pregnancy.
Receptor Blockers - heart failure - dizziness Watch K+ and renal
(ARBs) - post-MI left - hypotension labs. Stop/report
ventricular - fatigue angioedema
dysfunction - renal impairment immediately.
- abdominal pain
- diarrhea
Micardis Telmisartan Angiotensin II Hypertension Hyperkalemia Avoid pregnancy.
Receptor Blockers - cardiovascular risk - dizziness Watch K+ and renal
(ARBs) reduction in selected - diarrhea labs. Stop/report
patients - back pain angioedema
- renal impairment immediately.
- hypotension
Nursing/HESI Medication Master List - study guide only - verify current order and drug guide before administration
