Medication Abbreviations Flashcards
Meds ending in ‘-pril’
ACE inhibitors
* lowers BP by dilating blood vessels
* reduces the hearts workload
Considerations
* monitor heart rate and BP
* monitor kidney function & K+ levels
“lisinoPRIL”
Meds ending in ‘-cycline’
Tetracyclines
* treats bacterial infections
* broad spectrum antibiotics
Considerations
* avoid dairy products, antacids, iron supplements
* take with a full glass of water
* do not use in patients who are breastfeeding
* monitor liver and kidney function
“doxyCYCLINE”
Meds ending in ‘-cillin’
Penicillin antibiotics
* used to treat bacterial infections
Considerations
* monitor for signs of super infections such as C-diff and yeast infections
* monitor for allergic reaction; hives etc.
Meds ending in ‘-dipine’
Calcium Channel Blockers
* lowers BP by relaxing blood vessels therefore increasing blood supply & reducing hearts workload
Considerations
* monitor BP & heart rate
* monitor weight
* assess for signs of heart failure
“amloDIPINE”
Meds ending in ‘-prazole’
Proton Pump Inhibitors
* anti-ulcer medications (GERD, peptic ulcer disease)
* reduces gastric acid production
Considerations
* proper administration: before meals, swallowed whole
* monitor for signs of superinfections such as diarrhea (C-diff)
“lansoPRAZOLE”
Meds ending in ‘-floxacin’
Fluoroquinolones
* broad spectrum antibiotics that treat bacterial infections
Considerations
* ensure fluid intake of 1500-2000 ml per day
* avoid direct sunlight
* monitor for tendon pain, swelling or inflammation
CONTRAINDICATIONS
* patients with CNS disorders
* patients with myasthenia gravis
“ciproFLOXACIN”
Meds ending in ‘-mycin’
Aminoglycosides
* broad spectrum antibiotics that treat bacterial infections
* GNATS (gentamicin, neomycin, amikacin, tobramycin, streptomycin)
Considerations
* monitor for signs of poor renal function; decreased urine output & ^ BUN, GFR, creatinine
* monitor for auditory changes
Meds ending in ‘-olol’
Beta Blockers
* reduce BP by slowing the heart & myocardial contractility
* commonly given for hypertension / CHF
Considerations
* monitor for *bradycardia & hypotension *
* monitor hypokalemia
* monitor for hypoglycemia in diabetics
* take with food
CONTRAINDICATED
* patients with 2nd or 3rd degree heart block
“metoprOLOL”
Meds ending in ‘-lone’/’-sone’
Corticosteroids
* anti-inflammatory meds
Considerations
* Reduce sodium intake, increase calcium
* monitor for…
* hyperglycemia
* GI bleeds
* Weight gain
* signs of fungal infection; in the mouth
CONTRAINDICATIONS
* diabetes mellitus / hyperglycemia
* osteoporosis
* current fungal infection
‘predniSONE’
‘dexamethaSONE’
Meds ending in ‘-parin’
Anticoagulant / Antithrombotic
* blood thinners for patients at risk for clots
Considerations
* monitor for signs of bleeding; excessive bruising
* monitor coagulation factors if on warfarin or heparin
“daltePARIN”
Heparin vs. Warfarin
Heparin works faster than warfarin
Heparin
* works by inhibiting thrombin and fibrin
* short acting, IV / SC
* monitored with aPTT values
Warfarin
* functions as a vitamin k antagonist; vitamin k regulates the production of cofactors
* long acting, PO
* monitored with PT/INR values, minimally
Meds ending in ‘-pramine’
Tricyclic Antidepressant
* treats depression by inhibiting reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine
Considerations
* monitor for BP changes
* pts may have dry mouth / eyes
* appetite maybe affected
“chlomiPRAMINE”
Meds ending in ‘-sartan’
Angiotensin-II Receptor Blockers
* lowers BP by relaxing blood vessels and stopping constriction
* may be used to treat heart failure
Considerations
* monitor BP, heart rate / rhythm
* daily weight
* monitor K+ level, renal function
“loSARTAN”
Meds ending in ‘-statin’
Anti-lipidemics
* reduces LDL cholesterol & lowers risks of cardiovascular disease
Considerations
* monitor liver and kidney function
* monitor for symptoms of liver injury; jaundice
CONTRAINDICATIONS
* bowel obstruction
* triglyceride level above 500 mg/dL
“atorvaSTATIN”
Meds ending in ‘-tadine’
Antihistamines (some antivirals)
* treats allergy symptoms, stomach problems, and colds by blocking the effects of histamine
Considerations
* drowsiness is common, avoid other CNS depressants
* common side effects include dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation, or urinary retention
“loraTADINE”
Meds ending in ‘-thiazide’
Thiazide Diuretics
* reduces cardiovascular congestion & edema from CHF
* lowers BP
* HOW? By increasing fluid AND potassium excreted by the kidneys
Considerations
* monitor BP
* monitor for hypokalemia; lethal arrhythmias, lethargy, leg cramps, limp muscles, shallow breaths, constipation
* monitor renal function
“hydrochloroTHIAZIDE”
Meds ending in ‘-ridone’
Atypical antipsychotic
* treat behaviours by blocking effects of serotonin and some dopamine
* typical antipsychotics do not work
* given for schizophrenia
Considerations
* monitor for hyperglycemic, hyperlipidemia, weight gain when starting
* takes weeks to obtain desired effects
“RispeRIDONE”
Meds ending in ‘-zolam’ &
‘-azepam’
Benzodiazepines
* treats anxiety
Considerations
* prolonged use may lead to physical dependence
“medaZOLAM”
“lorAZEPAM”
Meds ending in ‘-osin’
a1 antagonist
* lowers BP = treats hypertenstion and BPH by inhibiting smooth muscle contraction
Considerations
* monitor BP, may cause orthostatic hypertension
* may cause CNS depression
* avoid using other alpha blockers
“terazOSIN”
Meds beginning with ‘cef/ceph-‘
Cephalosporin Antibiotics
* treats bacterial infections
Considerations
* monitor for superinfections
* monitor for allergic reactions
* monitor renal function
* bleeding risk
“CEFtriaxone”
Meds ending with ‘-vir’
Usually antivirals
“acycloVIR”
Meds ending with ‘-actone’
Potassium-Sparing Diuretics
* reduces cardiovascular congestion & edema from CHF
* lowers BP
* HOW? by increasing the fluid excreted by the kidneys while retaining K+ in the body
Considerations
* urine output will increase, avoid giving at night
* monitor for hyperkalemia; heart palpitations, arrhythmia, N&V, abdominal / chest pain, muscle weakness, diarrhea
* monitor renal function
* monitor BP
“spironolACTONE”
Meds ending in ‘-ase’
Thrombolytics
* ‘clot busters’
* retore blood flow to an obstructed area by breaking down clots that cause heart attacks or strokes
Considerations
* ensure patient is on cardiac monitor
* know last time patient was seen normal; only effective within 4 hours of symptom onset
* monitor BP and perform neuro assessments q15m during infusion
CONTRAINDICATIONS
* intracranial hemorrhage / aneurysm
* history of internal bleeding
“streptokinASE alteplASE” (tPA)
Dimenhydrinate, metoclopramide, ondansetron
Common Antiemetic Meds
Also meds ending in ‘-azine’
* treats nausea and vomitting
Meds ending with ‘-caine’
Local Anesthetics
* prevents the transmission of nerve impulses / pain without loss of conciousness
Considerations
* monitor BP and cardiac monitor if given IV
* monitor neurological status
* do not apply to open wounds
CONTRAINDICATIONS
* do not use in patients with severe heart block
“lidoCAINE”
