Antiarrhythmic/CHO Drugs

Question 1

Amiodarone

Answer 1

ACLS drug of
choice to treat
Life-threatening
ventricular
arrhythmias
Adverse:
dizziness,
fatigue, malaise
ARDS,
pulmonary toxicity
HF, worsening
of arrhythmias,
hypotension,
bradycardia
hepatotoxicity
Has a very long half-
life: must use caution
changing from IV to
oral dose to avoid
toxicity
** Diltiazem (Calcium
channel blocker) is
also listed as Class IV
antiarrhythmic

Question 2

Nitroglycerin

Answer 2

Acute angina,
chronic angina;
HF associated
with AMI
Adverse: headache,
dizziness
Hypotension
(esp when given IV)
Tachycardia
rash
Forms: Subling, po,
IV, spray, paste
Teaching: Repeat q 5
min 3 times, call 911
Subling: potent if
fizzles/burns”
Storage: same
bottle, cool and dark-
change after 6
months – 1 yr. (check
with Pharmacy)

Question 3

Cholestyramine

Answer 3

increased total
cholesterol and
increased LDL
Pruritus
associated with
partial biliary
obstruction
Adverse: cramps, nausea,
flatulence,
constipation
↓ absorption of
vitamin K
↑ bleeding
times, muscle aches
Drug interactions:
Should not be taken
with other drugs to
avoid absorption
problems.
Teach:
Powder: Mix in fluids
(not carbonated)
Oral: Do NOT cut,
crush, or chew the
tablet (meant to be
broken down in GI
tract

Question 4

Atorvastatin

Answer 4

Adjuncts to diet
and exercise in
treatment of
↑cholesterol
and LDL, CAD,
MI
Adverse: flatulence,
abdominal pain,
cramps, NV, and
constipation
Liver failure
Acute renal
failure
Visual
changes.
Muscle pain:
Rhabdomyolysis
Take at bedtime
(evening).
Monitor hepatic labs.
Caution if used with
warfarin or digoxin
Increases estrogen
level if taken with
oral contraceptives
AVOID grapefruit
juice.
Peak effect 2-4
weeks

Question 5

Ezetimibe

Answer 5

Adjunct to statin
therapy for High
CHO
Adverse: headache,
dizziness
abdominal pain,
diarrhea
upper resp.
Infections
myalgia,
arthralgia
liver disease
↑ warfarin levels
when combined with
ezetimibe