Drugs Counseling

Question 1

Alendronate:

Answer 1

Swallow whole w/ 6-8 oz water immediately upon arising,
- 30 minutes before first food/beverage/medication of the day.
- Do not lie down for 30 minutes after and not until first food is consumed.
- Abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, flatulence, and musculoskeletal pain

Question 2

2. Celecoxib

Answer 2

Avoid aspirin without first consulting a physician.
- May be taken without regard to meals
- Diarrhea, dyspepsia, abdominal pain, flatulence, edema, and sinusitus

Question 3

3. Lisinopril

Answer 3

May be taken w/o regard to meals
- Avoid OTC cough/cold/allergy medications
- Avoid salt-substitutes w/ potassium
- Dizziness, headache, fatigue, cough, diarrhea, swelling

Question 4

4. Atorvastatin

Answer 4

Closely follow prescribed diet.
- Avoid overexposure to sunlight.
- Don’t become pregnant while on this drug
- Limit alcohol intake.
muscle pain/tenderness (BAD), Constipation, diarrhea, dyspepsia, flatulence.

Question 5

Metoprolol

Answer 5

Take WF to increase absorption
- Can mask hypoglycemia in diabetics
- Dizziness, fatigue, depression, shortness of breath, diarrhea, bradycardia

Question 6

6. Warfarin:

Answer 6

DRUG AND DIET CHANGES CAN AFFECT INR
- avoid drastic changes in diet, especially w/ green leafy vegetables.
- Avoid alcohol and aspirin
- Unusual and unexpected bleeding, alopecia, dermatitis, fever, nausea, diarrhea, abdominal cramping, and urticaria

Question 7

7. Nitroglycerin

Answer 7

Store in a glass/metal container away from sunlight and kids.
- PT should sit down when taking SL-tablets to avoid lightheadedness/fainting
- Tablets should taste bitter (tingling sensation) upon use. If not, replace supply.
- Dissolve tablet under the tongue (don’t swallow) at the 1st sign of attack. Don’t wait until angina is severe.
- After placing tablet under tongue, if angina is not relieved in 5 minutes, dissolve a 2nd tablet under the tongue, and a 3rd if necessary. If pain continues, contact MD or go to ER
- No alcohol
- Transient headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, flushing of face or neck, and rapid pulse

Question 8

8. Flecainide

Answer 8

Avoid OTC cough/cold/allergy medication
- May cause dizziness
- Dizziness, visual disturbances, dyspnea, headache, nausea, fatigue, palpitation, chest pain, tremor, constipation, asthenia, edema, abdominal pain

Question 9

9. Omeprazole

Answer 9

: Take 30 minutes prior to eating
- Antacids may be taken at the same time
- For pts who cant swallow, capsule contents can be added to 1 tbsp of applesauce and swallowed whole with water. Don’t chew/crush capsule contents.
- Back pain, cough, constipation, rash, and dizziness

Question 10

10. Androgel

Answer 10

Decrease risk of transferring gel to other by applying to upper arms, which are covered by a short-sleeved shirt. Do not apply to genitals.
- Wash hands after application. Allow area to dry before covering with clothes.
- Avoid showering/swimming for 2 hours after application.
- Notify physician if experiencing trouble/increased urination, or swelling/pain in legs, ankles, or feet
- Increased PSA, emotional lability, hypertension, increased hematocrit/hemoglobin, contact dermatitis

Question 11

11. Cephalexin

Answer 11

Preferably taken on empty stomach, one hour before or two hours after meals with a full glass of water.
- Take at even intervals, preferably around the clock.
- Keep suspension refrigerated, discard after 14 days.
- Report persistent/severe diarrhea to MD.
- Nausea, vomiting, DIARRHEA, HIVES, ITCHING, RASH

Question 12

Furosemide

Answer 12

Usually given in morning.
- May be taken WF or milk
- Avoid sunlight.
- Don’t take OTC cough, cold, antacids, laxatives, antidiarrheal medications w/o talking to MD first.
- May cause orthostatic hypotension.Dizziness, orthostatic hypotension, dry mouth, HEARING LOSS, nausea/vomiting, WEAKNESS, MUSCLE CRAMPS, paresthesia, ANEMIA, photosensitivity, purpura, rash, hyperglycemia

Question 13

13. Voltaren Gel

Answer 13

Do not shower, bathe, or wash the AA for at least 1 hour after application
- Pruritis, rash, site pain, and headache

Question 14

14. Donepezil:

Answer 14

May be taken w/ or w/o food.
- Take in the evening, just before retiring
- Nausea, diarrhea, insomnia, vomiting, muscle cramps, fatigue, anorexia.

Question 15

15. Oxybutynin

Answer 15

Avoid hot weather.
- The semipermeable membrane on the XR tablets may pass through GI tract and show up in the stool
- Dry mouth, drowsiness, confusion, agitation, blurred vision, diarrhea, and nausea

Question 16

16. Clopidogrel

Answer 16

Contact MD if Pt notices any signs of infection (fever, chills, sore throat, neutropenia) or signs of TTP (fatigue, weakness, anorexia, nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain)Can be taken w/o regard to meals
- Bleeding time will be increased during therapy. Report any unusual bleeding to MD
- Tell physicians and dentists about this medication before elective surgery
- Don’t take OTC omeprazole
- Upper respiratory tract infection, chest pain, headache, flu-like symptoms, arthralgia, dizziness, back pain, abdominal pain, purpura, dyspepsia, diarrhea, dyspnea, rhinitis, rash, HTN, edema, bronchitis, coughing, UTI, pruritus, depression, nausea, epistaxis, and fatigue.

Question 17

17. Alprazolam

Answer 17

WARNING: This medication may be habit-forming
- May cause drowsiness
- Avoid alcohol
- XR tablets should not be stopped abruptly
- XR tablets should be swallowed whole - don’t crush, chew, or break
- Therapy should not be stopped abruptly, reduce dosage by 0.5mg every 3-4 days.
- Drowsiness and Hypotension

Question 18

18. Latanoprost

Answer 18

Wait at least 5 minutes before instilling other eye drops
- Avoid squinting/closing eyes tightly after instilling
- Store unopened bottle in the refrigerator. Once opened, store in cool place away from light for up to 6 weeks.
- Increased pigmentation of the iris may occur. Contact MD if eye pigmentation changes
- If an intercurreent ocular condition (e.g., trauma/infection) occurs, or the PT has eye surgery, contact MD to determine if they should continue taking
- Blurred vision, burning/stinging, foreign body sensation, itching, and increased pigmentation of the iris

Question 19

19. Nifedipine

Answer 19

Do not stop therapy w/o talking to MD first
- Take each dose on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal.
- Caution: May cause fainting w/ sudden changes in posture
- Do not chew/divide long-acting tablets
- Do not take OTC cough/cold remedies
- Avoid grapefruit juice
- Peripheral/pulmonary edema, palpitations, hypotension, dizziness, giddiness, headache, weakness, rash, nausea, flushing, nasal congestion, dyspnea, muscle cramps, cough

Question 20

20. Finasteride

Answer 20

Women who may be or are pregnant should not handle tablets or be exposed to Pt semen.
- Depression, erectile dysfunction, decreased libido, male infertility\

Question 21

21. Glyburide

Answer 21

Take with breakfast
- Follow prescribed diet
- Avoid excess alcohol
- Be aware of hypoglycemia:
- (Sweating, tremor, blurred vision, weakness, hunger, confusion,Nausea, heartburn, pruritus, and urticaria.

Question 22

22. Restasis

Answer 22

Invert unit-dose vial a few times to obtain a uniform, white, opaque emulsion before using.
- Discard open single-dose vials immediately after use.
- Do not administer while wearing contact lenses.
- A 15-minute interval should be allowed before using this product and artificial tears
- Ocular burning is most common.

Question 23

23. Zestoretic

Answer 23

May be taken w/o regard to meals.Timing of dose is important due to diaresis. Usually taken in AM
- Avoid sunlight
- Do not stop therapy w/o talking to MD
- Avoid OTC cough, cold, allergy medications, Avoid salt substitutes containing potassium
- Dizziness, headache, fatigue, cough, diarrhea, angioedema

Question 24

24. Levothyroxine

Answer 24

Take one an empty stomach, one hour before or two hours after a meal
- Transient loss of hair in children
- Hyper-metabolic states, fever, hypoglycemia, heart failure, fluid loss, tachycardia, anxiety, and insomnia