GI, Liver, Pancreas, & Biliary Tract Drug List Flashcards
Folic acid
Trade Name: FA-8
Classification: Coenzyme; nutritional supplement
Common use: megaloblastic and macrocytic anemias
Common Side/Adverse Effects: nausea, bloating, rash, allergic reactions
Nursing Interventions: Assess for relief of from anemia symptoms (fatigue, pallor, SOB)
Teaching points: Eat folic-rich foods such as dark leafy greens, fruits, and beans.
Ondansetron
Trade Name: Zofran
Classification: 5-HT3 receptor antagonist; antiemetic
Common use: prevent n&v due to chemotherapy, postop nausea, or radiation-induced n&v
Common side/adverse affects: anxiety, dizziness, drowsiness, urinary retention
Nursing Interventions: Monitor ECG in pts w/ electrolyte imbalances. Assess mental status. Assess bowel sounds for peristalsis.
Teaching points: Avoid alcohol. Report persistent vomiting. Avoid tasks that require alertness.
Promethazine
Block Box Alert
Trade Name: Phenergan
Classification: Phenothiazine; antihistamine, antiemetic
Common use: Allergic conditions, motion sickness, n&v
Common side/adverse affects: drowsiness, dry mouth, urinary retention
Black Box Warning: Has caused respiratory depression in children 2 yrs and younger. Injections may cause severe tissue injury, including gangrene.
Nursing Interventions: Assess BP, pulse for bradycardia, tachycardia if pt was given parenteral form. Monitor serum electrolytes. Assist w/ ambulation if drowsiness or dizziness occurs.
Teaching points: Avoid tasks that require mental alertness. Relieve dry mouth with sugarless gum or sips of water. Report visual disturbances, restlessness, or involuntary movements.
Epoetin alfa
Black Box Alert
Trade Name: Epogen
Classification: erythropoietin
Common use: anemia from dialysis
Common Side/Adverse Effects: HTN, headache, arthralgia, nausea
Black Box Warning: Increased risk of serious cardiovascular events, thromboembolic events, mortality, time-to-tumor progression in pts w/ h&n cancer, breast cancer, and NSCLC.
Nursing Interventions: Monitor CBC, especially Hct, and Hgb. Monitor and be alert for HTN. Monitor BUN, uric acid, creatinine, phosphorus, and potassium.
Teaching Points: Expect frequent lab assessments. Call provider if you have severe headache. Avoid potentially dangerous activities during first 90 days of therapy.
Cobalamin
Trade Name: Nascobal
Classification: Coenzyme; vitamin, antianemic
Common use: pernicious anemia
Common Side/Adverse Effects: diarrhea, pruritus, peripheral vascular thrombosis, pulmonary edema
Nursing Interventions: Assess for HF, hypokalemia, and pulmonary edema for pts receiving it via IM or subcu. Assess for relief of from deficiency symptoms (fatigue, pallor, ataxia)
Teaching points: Pernicious anemia may require life-long treatment. Eat vitamin B12-rich foods such as muscle meats, herring, enriched cereals, and egg yolks.
nifedipine
Trade Names: Adalat CC, Afeditab CR, Procardia, Procardia XL
Classification: Calcium channel blocker; Antianginal, antiHTN
Common Use: Prinzmetal’s variant angina, chronic stable angina, HTN
Common Side/Adverse Effects: Peripheral edema, headache, dizziness, flushed skin
Nursing Interventions: Assess for peripheral edema. Monitor BP for HoTN. Assist w/ ambulation if dizziness occurs.
Teaching points: Change positions slowly. Report palpitations, SOB, nausea and increased angina. Avoid grapefruit juice.
Sulfasalazine
Trade Name: Azulfidine
Classification: anti-inflammatory
Common use: ulcerative colites, rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis
Common side/adverse affects: anorexia, n&v, headache, hematologic toxicity
Nursing Interventions: monitor I&O, urinalysis, RFT, daily pattern of bowel and stool consistency. Monitor CBC, LFT, and for jaundice. Ensure adequate hydration to prevent nephrotoxicity.
Teaching points: May cause orange-yellow discoloration of urine and skin. Avoid exposure to sun, UV light. Swallow enteric-coated tablets whole.
Infliximab
Black Box Alert
Trade Name: Remicade
Classification: monoclonal antibody; GI anti-inflammatory
Common use: Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, plaque psoriasis
Common side/adverse affects: headache, nausea, fatigue, fever
Black Box Warning: Risk of severe or fatal opportunistic infections, reactivation of latent infections.
Nursing Interventions: Monitor C-reactive protein and frequency of stools in pts w/ Crohn’s disease.
Teaching points: Don’t have immunizations w/o physician’s approval. Avoid contact w those who recently received live virus vax. Avoid tasks that require alertness.
Ciprofloxacin
Trade Name: Cetraxal
Classification: antibiotic
Common use: infections
Common side/adverse affects: nausea, diarrhea, constipation, superinfection
Nursing Interventions: Evaluate food tolerance. Monitor bowel activity pattern and stool consistency. Obtain urinalysis for crystalluria prior and during treatment. Monitor for dizziness, headache, visual changes, tremors.
Teaching points: Don’t skip doses. Maintain adequate hydration to prevent crystalluria. Don’t take antacids w/in 3 hrs of taking this med. Avoid caffeine.
Prednisone
Trade Names: Rayos, Sterapred
Classification: adrenal corticosteroid; glucocorticoid
Common Use: Arthritis, immune system and blood disorders, allergies
Common Side/Adverse Effects: Insomnia, heartburn, abd distention, diaphoresis
Nursing Interventions: Monitor BP, electrolyte levels, glucose, bone mineral density, height and weight in children. Be alert for s/s of infection. Assess oral cavity for signs of candida.
Teaching Points: Report any fever, sore throat, aching muscles, swelling, loss of appetite, or sudden weight gain. Avoid alcohol. Strictly maintain good oral hygiene.
Methotrexate
Black Box Warning
Trade Names: Otrexup, Rasuvo, Trexall, Xatmep
Classification: Antimetabolite; Antineoplastic, antiarthritic, antipsoriatic
Common Use: Rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis; cancer of the lung, head and neck, blood, bone, breast,
Common Side Effects: N&V, low blood count, kidney toxicity
Black Box Warning: May cause fetal abnormalities or death. May produce fatal chronic hepatotoxicity. Do not use for psoriasis or rheumatoid arthritis treatment in pregnant women.
Nursing Interventions: Monitor CBC, LFT, urinalysis, chest XR, uric acid hematologic toxicity. Assess skin for dermatologic toxicity.
Teaching Points: Strictly maintain oral hygiene. Don’t have immunizations w/o physician’s approval. Avoid crowds (risk of infection). Avoid alcohol, aspirin, UV light.
Lactase
Enzyme that helps break down the sugar lactose.
Witch hazel
Plant whose products are used to relieve itching, pain and inflammation.
Morphine
Black Box Alert
Trade Names: Duramorph, Embeda, Infumorph, Kadian
Classification: Opioid agonist; opioid analgesic
Common Use: Severe pain, decreases anxiety
Common Side/Adverse Effects: Confusion, sedation, HoTN, constipation, resp depression
Black Box Warning: Addiction, abuse, misuse
Nursing Interventions: Take vitals before and after administration. Watch for decreased resp and BP. Monitor bowel activity/consistency.
Teaching points: Change positions slowly, call for assistance when ambulating. Avoid tasks that require alertness. Avoid alcohol and other CNS depressants. Report constipation, urinary retention, and ineffective pain treatment.
Ledipasvir and sofosbuvir
Trade Name: Harvoni
Classification: antiviral
Common use: Hep C
Side/adverse effects: fatigue, headache, nausea, diarrhea, insomnia
Nursing Interventions: Assess vitals routinely. Obtain monthly pregnancy tests. Report decreases in Hgb, Hct, platelets, and neutrophils.
Teaching points: Do not breastfeed. Report bloody stool/urine, increased bruising, difficulty breathing, weakness, palpitations. Expect periodic lab testing.
