Nursing Pharmacology (Drugs)
albuterol ✔✔(SABA) short acting beta 2 receptor agonist, used for bronchospasm,
acute symptoms of asthma
acetaminophen ✔✔centrally acting cox inhibitor; analgesic and antipyretic
properties; no antiinflammatory,antirheumatic properties
acyclovir ✔✔Antimetabolite for Treating Herpes Simplex Virus & Varicella-Zoster
Virus Infections;
MOAs: Purine necleoside analog: DNA polymerase inhibitor, suppresses synthesis of
viral DNA, resistance.
amiodarone ✔✔Class 3 Potassium channel blocker
Only approved for life-threatening dysrhythmias.
Delays repolarization and extends action potential of heart muscle cells.
SE: Profound hypotension."
amoxicillin ✔✔Broad-spectrum penicillin active against H. influenzae, E. coli, and N.
Gonorrhoeae. It is inactivated by beta-lactamases, so not helpful for Staphylococcus.
atropine ✔✔muscinarinic receptor antagonist/anticholinergic drug; used for
mydriases (eye exams), to raise HR, lower GI motility, and as antidote to muscarinic
poisoning (rx, shrooms)
amphotericin B ✔✔broad spectrum antifungal, which is the agent of choice for
systemic mycoses, despite being highly toxic. Its uses are limited to treating
progressive and potentially fatal infections. Adverse effects include infusion
reactions, nephrotoxicity, and hypokalemia.
aspirin ✔✔A drug that decrease platelet aggregation and is used to prevent arterial
thrombosis, stroke, or MI. Major SEs include risk of major GI bleeding. This drug is an
NSAID that works by inhibiting platelet COX, COX-1, and COX-2.
beclomethasone ✔✔inhaled corticosteroid used to treat airway inflammation in
asthma
bethanechol ✔✔muscarinic agnonist, used primarily for urinary retention
buproprion ✔✔(DA and NE). Weight loss, seizure, insomnia, headache, serotonin
syndrome (see laundry list above), withdrawal, Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome
captopril ✔✔ACE inhibitor - shown to have efficacious effects in treating a patient
with heart failure. Blocks production of angiotensin II, dilates arterioles and veins,
, and decreases release of aldosterone. It may show the adverse effects of
hypotension, hyperkalemia, or persistant cough, CARDIAC REMODELING
carbenicillin ✔✔"Extended spectrum (antipseudomonal penicillins), which has the
same spectrum of activity as broad-spectrum penicillins, plus treatment of
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
cefotaxime ✔✔"Third generation cephalosporin with activity against meningitis
and nosocomial infections resistant to others (restricted use). It has greater activity
against Gram negative bacteria, increased resistance to beta-lactamases, and better
ability to reach CSF.
cephalexin ✔✔"First generation cephalosporin poor activity against Gram negative
bacteria, sensitive to to most beta-lactamases, unable to reach CSF. Used for
Staphylococcus if mild penicillin allergy.
celecoxib ✔✔2nd Generation Nonsteroidal Antiinflammatory Drug (COX-2 Selective
NSAID); AE: risk of CV events, warfarin may be more effective with celecoxib
cholestyramine ✔✔Inhibits bile reabsorption in intenstine, increases LDL receptors
in liver, accelerates bile excretion. Many of the adverse effects result from the drug
not being absorbed from GI, including constipation and a decreased absorption of
fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, & K).
ciprofloxacin ✔✔fluoroquinolone
broad -cidal. PO tetracycline and cipro should NOT BE GIVEN WITH ANTACIDS.
ALSO KNOW IT CAN RUPTURE TENDONS AND CAUSE CANDIDA. "
codeine ✔✔antitussive, AE: respiratory depression
also weak mu opioid agonist
clozapine ✔✔atypical antipsychotic; 2nd Gen. Treats negative symptoms. Greater
efficacy than 1st gen. Fewer EPS/tardive dyskinesia side effects. SE: Agranulocytosis
and Metabolic effects (Weight gain, diabetes, hyperlipidemia)
clonidine ✔✔alpha 2 agonist, HTN drug -> vasodilation
clavulanic acid ✔✔A penicillinase inhibitor that is combined with a broad spectrum
penicillin to increase is bactericidal activity.
clopidogrel ✔✔decreases platelet aggregation and is used to prevent arterial
thrombosis or stroke. Major SEs include risk of major GI bleeding. This drug is not an
NSAID and does not inhibit COX
chlorpromazine ✔✔FGA, low potency, treats positive symptoms. SE: Sedation,
orthostatic hypotension, anticholinergic effects. NOTE: it may take up to 6 weeks to
see effects
albuterol ✔✔(SABA) short acting beta 2 receptor agonist, used for bronchospasm,
acute symptoms of asthma
acetaminophen ✔✔centrally acting cox inhibitor; analgesic and antipyretic
properties; no antiinflammatory,antirheumatic properties
acyclovir ✔✔Antimetabolite for Treating Herpes Simplex Virus & Varicella-Zoster
Virus Infections;
MOAs: Purine necleoside analog: DNA polymerase inhibitor, suppresses synthesis of
viral DNA, resistance.
amiodarone ✔✔Class 3 Potassium channel blocker
Only approved for life-threatening dysrhythmias.
Delays repolarization and extends action potential of heart muscle cells.
SE: Profound hypotension."
amoxicillin ✔✔Broad-spectrum penicillin active against H. influenzae, E. coli, and N.
Gonorrhoeae. It is inactivated by beta-lactamases, so not helpful for Staphylococcus.
atropine ✔✔muscinarinic receptor antagonist/anticholinergic drug; used for
mydriases (eye exams), to raise HR, lower GI motility, and as antidote to muscarinic
poisoning (rx, shrooms)
amphotericin B ✔✔broad spectrum antifungal, which is the agent of choice for
systemic mycoses, despite being highly toxic. Its uses are limited to treating
progressive and potentially fatal infections. Adverse effects include infusion
reactions, nephrotoxicity, and hypokalemia.
aspirin ✔✔A drug that decrease platelet aggregation and is used to prevent arterial
thrombosis, stroke, or MI. Major SEs include risk of major GI bleeding. This drug is an
NSAID that works by inhibiting platelet COX, COX-1, and COX-2.
beclomethasone ✔✔inhaled corticosteroid used to treat airway inflammation in
asthma
bethanechol ✔✔muscarinic agnonist, used primarily for urinary retention
buproprion ✔✔(DA and NE). Weight loss, seizure, insomnia, headache, serotonin
syndrome (see laundry list above), withdrawal, Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome
captopril ✔✔ACE inhibitor - shown to have efficacious effects in treating a patient
with heart failure. Blocks production of angiotensin II, dilates arterioles and veins,
, and decreases release of aldosterone. It may show the adverse effects of
hypotension, hyperkalemia, or persistant cough, CARDIAC REMODELING
carbenicillin ✔✔"Extended spectrum (antipseudomonal penicillins), which has the
same spectrum of activity as broad-spectrum penicillins, plus treatment of
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
cefotaxime ✔✔"Third generation cephalosporin with activity against meningitis
and nosocomial infections resistant to others (restricted use). It has greater activity
against Gram negative bacteria, increased resistance to beta-lactamases, and better
ability to reach CSF.
cephalexin ✔✔"First generation cephalosporin poor activity against Gram negative
bacteria, sensitive to to most beta-lactamases, unable to reach CSF. Used for
Staphylococcus if mild penicillin allergy.
celecoxib ✔✔2nd Generation Nonsteroidal Antiinflammatory Drug (COX-2 Selective
NSAID); AE: risk of CV events, warfarin may be more effective with celecoxib
cholestyramine ✔✔Inhibits bile reabsorption in intenstine, increases LDL receptors
in liver, accelerates bile excretion. Many of the adverse effects result from the drug
not being absorbed from GI, including constipation and a decreased absorption of
fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, & K).
ciprofloxacin ✔✔fluoroquinolone
broad -cidal. PO tetracycline and cipro should NOT BE GIVEN WITH ANTACIDS.
ALSO KNOW IT CAN RUPTURE TENDONS AND CAUSE CANDIDA. "
codeine ✔✔antitussive, AE: respiratory depression
also weak mu opioid agonist
clozapine ✔✔atypical antipsychotic; 2nd Gen. Treats negative symptoms. Greater
efficacy than 1st gen. Fewer EPS/tardive dyskinesia side effects. SE: Agranulocytosis
and Metabolic effects (Weight gain, diabetes, hyperlipidemia)
clonidine ✔✔alpha 2 agonist, HTN drug -> vasodilation
clavulanic acid ✔✔A penicillinase inhibitor that is combined with a broad spectrum
penicillin to increase is bactericidal activity.
clopidogrel ✔✔decreases platelet aggregation and is used to prevent arterial
thrombosis or stroke. Major SEs include risk of major GI bleeding. This drug is not an
NSAID and does not inhibit COX
chlorpromazine ✔✔FGA, low potency, treats positive symptoms. SE: Sedation,
orthostatic hypotension, anticholinergic effects. NOTE: it may take up to 6 weeks to
see effects
