Medications

Question 1

HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors

Answer 1

ex: atorvastatin & simvastatin.
For Hyperlipidemia and Hypercholesterolemia. Will reduce LDL and Triglyceride levels and will raise HDL. Regular dose range 10-80mg daily given at night.
Side effects: Decreased liver function/liver failure, Rhabdomyolysis, Myalgia.

Question 2

Beta Blockers

Answer 2

ex: atenolol & Metoprolol.
Indication: Hypertension, chest pain, assist with the workload of the heart.
Doses vary given once or twice a day.
Side effects: Low heart rate, low blood pressure, dizziness, hides symptoms of hypoglycemia. (DO NOT stop abruptly - risk of rebound hypertension)

Question 3

Ace (Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme) Inhibitors

Answer 3

ex: lisinopril, enalapril, captopril.
Indications: Hypertension & Heart failure
Lisinopril normal dose - 5 to 40mg
Given once or twice a day
Side effects: Angioedema, Dry cough, High potassium levels.

Question 4

Short acting beta-agonists

Answer 4

ex: albuterol & levalbuterol
Bronchodilator (fast acting): asthma, COPD, Bronchospasm due to anaphylaxis.
In emergency, can take 3 doses over 20 minutes
Hospital dosage PRN every 2-4 hours.
Side effects: Tachycardia, Anxiety and tremors, Insomnia.

Question 5

Fluoroquinolones

Answer 5

ex levofloxacin & ciprofloxacin
Indications: Broad spectrum bacterial antibiotics, Excellent for bacterial respiratory infections (bacterial pneumonia & tuberculosis), can treat some strep and staph in infections, and UTI’s.
PO dosage - 250-750mg daily
IV dosage - 500-750 mg daily.
Side effects: Joint pain, clostridium difficile, liver toxicity, renal failure, prolonged QT syndrome, and Achilles Tendon rupture.

Question 6

Corticosteroids

Answer 6

ex: Prednisone (PO), Methylprednisolone, Hydrocortisone.
Indications: Reduce inflammation (pain, bronchodilation, inflammatory injuries) & Suppress the immune system ( allergic reactions, infectious response)
Has a lot of side effects.
Must monitor patients carefully during use.
Must never stop abruptly requires weaning.

Question 7

Synthetic thyroxine (T4)

Answer 7

Ex: levothyroxine (Synthroid, Levoxyl)
Indication: Hypothyroidism
-PO 1.6 mcg/kg/day
-usually 50-200 mcg/day
-Administer on an empty stomach
-Can be give IV or IM if patients is NPO

Side effects:
-Tachycardia
-Palpitation
-Dyspnea on excretion
-Goiter

Question 8

Proton Pump Inhibitors (zole)

Answer 8

Ex: Pantoprazole (protonix), Omperazole (Prilosec), Lansoprazole (Prevacid)

Indication:
-Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
-Peptic ulcer disease (PUD)
-Stress ulcer prophylaxis

Pantoprazole (protoxin)- give very often in the hospital for stress ulcer prophylaxis

Dosages:
-PO 40 mg daily Best if give on empty stomach
-IV push 40 mg daily (given slowly over 2 minutes
-IV piggyback (80mg bolus followed by 8 mg/hour for GI bleed)

Side Effects:
-Cutaneous lupus
-Clostridium difficile
-Gastroenteritis
-Diarrhea
-Bone fracture
-Hypomagnesemia