Key Counseling Points - Cough/Cold/Allergy/Opth Flashcards
Azelastine
Avoid spraying in eyes. Somnolence has been reported with nasal administration; instruct patient to avoid alcohol use and hazardous activities such as driving or operating machinery until level of sedation is known. Review proper instillation technique, including priming the spray with initial use and if not used for ≥3 d. Blow nose prior to using. Do not spray into wall separating nostrils (septum). May cause taste disturbances that are typically transient and temporary. To prevent contamination, keep tip of nose spray clean.
Fexofenadine
Patients should avoid activities requiring mental alertness or coordination until drug effects are known, as drug may cause dizziness or sedative effects. Take the suspension with water only (not fruit juices); shake well before use. The oral disintegrating tablet should be taken on an empty stomach and stored in the blister pack until used. Place on tongue and allow to dissolve; do not crush or chew. Swallow with water but not with fruit juices.
Fluticasone Nasal
Avoid allergic triggers. Children ≤12 y of age should be supervised by an adult; note different minimum age for fluticasone formulation. For administration, bottle must be primed and shaken well prior to first use or if it has not been used in >14 d; avoid spraying in face. Patients should clear nasal passages by blowing nose prior to use. Press against outside of 1 nostril to close off. Employ the ‘nose to the toes’ technique of tilting the head slightly downward to avoid overspray into the esophagus while inhaling to avoid bad taste. Aiming the spray away from the nasal septum toward the ears slightly inserted into the nostril can help minimize irritation and nosebleeds. Medication may take 24-72 h to take full effect. Sniff gently as you pump the bottle. Do not blow nose for at least 15 min after use. Brief stinging or sneezing may occur immediately after use. Wipe nozzle with tissue and replace cap. Nozzle only can be cleaned with tap water if pump does not spray properly; follow included instructions. Should not be shared to treat multiple people to reduce spread of infection.
Hydroxyzine
Patients should avoid activities requiring mental alertness or coordination until drug effects are known, as drug may cause dizziness or sedative effects.
Levocetirizine
Patients should avoid activities requiring mental alertness or coordination until drug effects are known, as drug may cause dizziness or sedative effects.
Mometasone Nasal
Advise patients on the proper administration technique for this product. Nasal spray needs to be primed before using and if not used for 1 wk. Instruct patients to monitor for signs of toxicity, especially adrenal insufficiency.
Olopatadine
Wash hands. For administration, lie down or tilt head back. With index finger, pull down the lower lid of eye to form a pocket. Hold the dropper close to eye with the other hand. Drop the correct number of drops into the pocket made between lower lid and eyeball. Gently close eyes. Place index finger over the inner corner of your eye for 1 min. Do not rinse or wipe the dropper or allow it to touch anything, including the eye. Put the cap on the bottle right away. Twice-daily dosing should be at least 6-8 h apart. Remove contact lens prior to administration and wait at least 10 min before reinserting. Do not use contact lenses if eyes are irritated.
Triamcinolone Nasal
Avoid allergic triggers. Children ≤12 y of age should be supervised by an adult. For administration, bottle must be primed and shaken well prior to first use or if it has not been used in >14 d; avoid spraying in face. Patients should clear nasal passages by blowing nose prior to use. Press against outside of 1 nostril to close off. Use the ‘nose to the toes’ technique of tilting the head slightly downward to avoid overspray into the esophagus while inhaling to avoid bad taste. Aiming the spray away from the nasal septum toward the ears slightly inserted into the nostril can help minimize irritation and nosebleeds. Medication may take 7 d to take full effect. Sniff gently as you pump the bottle. Do not blow the nose for at least 15 min after use. Brief stinging or sneezing may occur immediately after use. Wipe nozzle with tissue and replace cap. Nozzle only can be cleaned with tap water if pump does not spray properly; follow included instructions. Should not be shared among multiple people to reduce spread of infection.
Cetirizine
Avoid allergic triggers. Use scheduled doses instead of prn. Symptoms should improve after 3-4 d but may require 2-4 wk for full benefit. Patients should avoid alcohol and activities requiring mental alertness or coordination until drug effects are known, as drug may cause dizziness or sedative effects.
Meclizine
May cause drowsiness; avoid driving or operating dangerous machinery until you know how this medication affects you. Avoid alcoholic beverages and other CNS depressants while taking this drug. Take with food to decrease GI symptoms. Because of its potential anticholinergic action, this drug should be used with caution in patients with asthma, glaucoma, or enlargement.
Benzonatate
Do not chew or crush capsules or allow capsules to dissolve in mouth as oropharyngeal anesthesia will occur, plus the liquid in the capsule has an incredibly foul taste. Administer with food or milk if GI upset occurs. Accidental ingestion of as few as 1-2 capsules by children <2 y of age has been fatal. The drug appearance (round, clear liquid-filled capsules) may be attractive to children, so particular care should be taken to keep out of reach.
Pseudoephedrine
Patients should avoid activities requiring mental alertness or coordination until drug effects are known as drug may cause dizziness or sleeplessness. It can also have activating effects, causing ‘jitters’ and loss of sleep. Advise patients, including geriatric patients, to use the 30-mg immediate-release tablets and consider avoiding the extended-release products until they are sure how they are affected by treatment. Advise patients to get plenty of rest and fluids. Use included measuring device designed for suspension.
Oxymetazoline
For administration, bottle must be primed and shaken well prior to first use or if it has not been used in >2 d; avoid spraying in face. Patients should clear nasal passages by blowing nose prior to use. Press against outside of 1 nostril to close off. Employ the ‘nose to the toes’ technique of tilting the head slightly downward to avoid overspray into the esophagus while inhaling to avoid bad taste. Aiming the spray away from the nasal septum toward the ears slightly inserted into the nostril can help minimize irritation and nosebleeds. Medication effect typically lasts up to 12 h; patients should not use more than twice daily. Sniff gently as you pump the bottle. Do not blow nose for at least 15 min after use. Brief stinging or sneezing may occur immediately after use. Wipe nozzle with tissue and replace cap. Nozzle only can be cleaned with tap water if pump does not spray properly; follow included instructions. Should not be shared to treat multiple people to reduce spread of infection.
Bimatoprost
Wash your hands and remove contact lenses before using the medicine. For administration of the Brand name product, lie down or tilt head back. With index finger, pull down the lower lid of eye to form a pocket. Hold the dropper close to eye with the other hand. Drop the correct number of drops into the pocket made between lower lid and eyeball. Gently close eyes. Place index finger over the inner corner of eye for 1 min. Do not rinse or wipe the dropper or allow it to touch anything, including eye. Put the cap on the bottle right away. Separate from other eye drops by 5 min. Do not rinse eye if solution gets into the eye. Do not reuse supplied sterile applicators or use any other brush/applicator other than those supplied. Use a new applicator for second eye. Do not apply to lower lid, or more than once per day. Reinsert contact lens after 15 min.
Brimonidine
Wash your hands and remove contact lenses before using the medicine. For administration, lie down or tilt head back. With index finger, pull down the lower lid of eye to form a pocket. Hold the dropper close to eye with the other hand. Drop the correct number of drops into the pocket made between lower lid and eyeball. Gently close eyes. Place index finger over the inner corner of your eye for 1 min. Do not rinse or wipe the dropper or allow it to touch anything, including eye. Put the cap on bottle right away. Reinsert contacts after 15 min. Separate administration of other ophthalmic agents by 5 min.
Cyclosporine Ophthalmic
Comes in single-use packages. After you open a single-use package, use immediately. Mix well just before using it. To do this, turn the single-use package upside down a few times. Remove contact lenses before using this medicine. Wait at least 15 min before inserting contact lenses after use. May be used with artificial tears as long as there is 15-min interval in between.
Latanoprost
Wash hands and remove contact lenses before using the medicine. For administration, lie down or tilt your head back. With your index finger, pull down the lower lid of your eye to form a pocket. Hold the dropper close to your eye with the other hand. Drop the correct number of drops into the pocket made between your lower lid and eyeball. Gently close your eyes. Place your index finger over the inner corner of your eye for 1 min. Do not rinse or wipe the dropper or allow it to touch anything, including your eye. Put the cap on the bottle right away.
Loteprednol Ophthalmic
Suspension: Shake well before use. Take out contact before use, may put contacts back in 10 min after using suspension. Tilt head and drop into eye. Keep eyes closed after use and put pressure on inside corner of the eye. Ointment: Do not use contacts while using this product. To administer, gently pull down lower lid and squeeze in gel. Let go of eyelid, but keep eye closed for 1-2 min. Gel: Turn upside down and shake once. Do not use contacts while using this product. Tilt head and drop into eye. Keep eyes closed for 2 min after use and put pressure on inside corner of the eye.
Timolol
Wash your hands and remove contact lenses before using the medicine. For administration of Lumigan, lie down or tilt head back. With index finger, pull down the lower lid of eye to form a pocket. Hold the dropper close to eye with the other hand. Drop the correct number of drops into the pocket made between lower lid and eyeball. Gently close eyes. Place index finger over the inner corner of eye for 1 min. Do not rinse or wipe the dropper or allow it to touch anything, including eye. Put the cap on the bottle right away. Separate from other eye drops by 5 min. Reinsert contact lens after 15 min.
Travoprost
Wash hands and remove contact lenses before using the medicine. For administration, lie down or tilt head back. With index finger, pull down the lower lid of eye to form a pocket. Hold the dropper close to eye with the other hand. Drop the correct number of drops into the pocket made between lower lid and eyeball. Gently close eyes. Place index finger over the inner corner of your eye for 1 min. Do not rinse or wipe the dropper or allow it to touch anything, including your eye. Put the cap on the bottle right away. Do not exceed once-daily dosing (may decrease efficacy). Separate administration of other ophthalmic agents by at least 5 min.
