Medications VA2 ECC Part 1 Flashcards
What kind of medication is acetaminophen?
Analgesic
Is acetaminophen toxic to animals?
YES - Cats are very sensitive to the effects of acetaminophen, dogs are less sensitive. There is a therapeutic dosing range for dogs.
Is acetaminophen always toxic to dogs?
No, there is a therapeutic dosing range
Is acetaminophen always toxic to cats?
No, but it often is
Where might acetaminophen be found? Which medications?
Tylenol, Excedrin, and any number of human or animal OTC medications. Be careful when taking client histories.
What kind of medication is albuterol?
Bronchodilator
What is albuterol used for?
Asthma, collapsing trachea, many other conditions
What are the side effects of albuterol?
Most commonly tachycardia, but nausea and vomiting also possible
How is albuterol administered?
Most commonly as an inhaler. However, oral formulations and nebulizer solutions are also availible
What kind of drug is aluminum hydroxide?
A phosphate binder, used to reduce absorbed dietary phosphorous. Also an antacid
When is aluminum hydroxide usually prescribed?
Usually given to patients with kidney disease and elevated phosphorous
What is a brand name for aluminum hydroxide?
Mylanta
What is amlodipine besylate used for?
Amlodipine is a calcium channel blocker. It is used to treat hypertension.
How is aluminum hydroxide usually administered?
Orally
What are the side effects of aluminum hydroxide?
No major side effects. Must tell clients to give with food. May cause nausea.
What are the side effects of amlodipine besylate?
Hypotension, arrhythmia, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, gingival overgrowth
What kind of medication is azathioprine?
An immunosuppressant
What should you tell a client who is going to administer azathioprine at home?
Wear gloves, handle with care, administer with food
What are the side effects of azathioprine?
vomiting, diarrhea, lack of appetite, bone marrow suppression, pancreatitis, and liver toxicity
What kind of medication is benazapril?
An ACE inhibitor, used to treat high blood pressure
When might benazepril be prescribed?
With heart or kidney conditions
What are side effects of benazepril?
vomiting, diarrhea, and lack of appetite
What kind of medication is bupivacaine?
A local anesthetic
How is bupivacaine administered?
As an injection, may be used locally or regionally
How is benazepril administered?
Usually orally
Which species is sensitive to the cardiac effects of local anesthetics?
Cats are particularly sensitive - always verify dosing
What kind of medication is calcitriol?
It treats low blood calcium but is a form of Vitamin D
What conditions is calcitriol commonly prescribed for?
Parathyroid disease and kidney disease
Are there any side effects of calcitriol?
Occasionally vomiting or stomach upset
What do owners need to know about giving calcitriol?
Give on an empty stomach preferably. Do not give any additional supplements or medications without your veterinarians knowledge
What kind of medication is calcium carbonate?
A calcium supplement and antacid
What is the brand name for calcium carbonate?
Tums
If an owner is going to buy calcium carbonate at the drug store is there any information you should give them?
Be careful, there are many sizes available ensure you get the right dosage. Also read the label to ensure there are no artificial sweeteners - particularly xylitol.
What conditions may require administration of calcium carbonate tablets at home?
Parathyroid disease, eclampsia
What kind of medication is calcium gluconate?
A calcium supplement - usually injection
What is calcium gluconate used for?
Calcium supplementation, often in parathyroid disease or eclampsia
How is calcium gluconate administered
Slowly IV, may occasionally be given SQ
Why must you administer calcium gluconate slowly
May cause cardiac arrhythmias or arrest
What kind of medication is chlorambucil?
An immunosuppressant and chemotherapeutic agent
What are side effects of chlorambucil?
Hair loss, vomiting, inappetence, lethargy, bone marrow suppression, infection, diarrhea
What should you tell a client who is going to administer chlorambucil at home?
WEAR GLOVES! Do not handle if you are pregnant. Wear gloves and dispose of pet waste promptly, avoid pet saliva contact as well - wash skin if pet licks you
How is chlorambucil administered?
Usually orally
What kind of medication is chloramphenicol?
Antibiotic
What must a client be told if they are going to administer chloramphenicol at home?
WEAR GLOVES! Do not handle if you are pregnant. Wear gloves and dispose of pet waste promptly. Do not crush tablets in order to avoid aerosolizing the drug
Why is chloramphenicol dangerous to humans?
It can cause irreversible bone marrow suppression
What is omnipaque?
Omnipaque is an injectable iodine contrast agent
When is omnipaque used?
For radiographic contrast studies where injectable or oral contrast may be useful (foreign body, cystogram, nephrogram)
Are there any risks with omnipaque?
May cause anaphylaxis or kidney injury
What is cortrosyn?
Cortrosyn is a synthetic form of ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone). It is used for ACTH stimulation testing for adrenocortical function.
How is cortrosyn administered?
IM
What kind of medication is cyproheptadine?
An antihistamine, also used as an appetite stimulant, and for toxicities causing serotonin syndrome
Are there any side effects with cyproheptadine?
Lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, occasionally paradoxical excitement (especially in cats)
What kind of medication is dobutamine?
Dobutamine is a positive inotrope. It is used to improve cardiac contractility and therefore blood pressure.
How is dobutamine administered?
Dobutamine is administered via CRI
What is dopamine?
Dopamine is a vasoconstrictor used to increase blood pressure
How is dopamine administered?
Dopamine is administered via CRI
What kid of drug is enalapril?
Enalapril is an ACE inhibitor
When is enalapril used?
It is used to treat heart failure and protein losing nephropathy
How is enalapril administerd?
Usually orally
What kind of medication is erythromycin?
An antibiotic - also has GI prokinetic effects
What side effects might a client see if their pet is on erythromycin?
Usually GI side effects - vomiting, diarrhea, inappetence, nausea
What should you tell a client who is going to administer erythromycin at home orally?
If liquid is used shake well. Otherwise administer with food, ensure that you finish the entire prescription.
How is erythromycin administered?
Usually orally, ocular and IV formulations also available
What kind of medication is flumazenil?
Flumazenil is a benzodiazepine antagonist (it reverses the effects of benzodiazepines)
When might a patient be prescribed flumazenil?
When they have been overdosed on a benzodiazepine, the benzodiazepine is exerting too profound of an effect, or during CPR if the patient was recently administered a benzodiazepine
By which route is flumazenil administered?
Usually IV, may also go IO, in an emergency may go IM
What are some possible side effects of flumazenil administration?
Seizures, the patient may also be reversed from the benzodiazepine and roused into extreme anxiety or panic
What kind of medication is heparin?
An anticoagulant - works to suppress the body’s own pro-coagulant mechanisims
What are some side effects of heparin administration
Increased bleeding, bruising
When might a patient be given heparin?
Any case with excessive clot formation or risk of clot formation - IMHA, Saddle thrombus, pulmonary thromboembolism
What kind of medication is hydrocodone
A pure mu agonist opioid
What is hydrocodone used for in most veterinary patients?
Most often hydrocodone is used for coughing but occasionally it is used for mild pain as well
What is another name for hydrocodone?
Hycodan
How is hydrocodone administered?
Orally - liquid and pills availible
What are some side effects of hydrocodone?
Nausea, sedation
What should you tell clients who are administering hydrocodone at home?
Monitor for excess sedation, you may titrate the dose down as needed for coughing - give less if not coughing. Do not give a higher dose than prescribed, please call us if your pet is not responding or seems to be coughing more than usual.
What kind of medication is hydroxyurea?
A chemotherapeutic agent
When might a patient be prescribed hydroxyurea?
A patient may be given hydroxyurea for certain types of cancers - particularly brain and spinal cancers.
What should you tell a client who is given hydroxyurea to give at home?
Give this drug with a full meal. This drug can cause serious adverse effects in people or animals that are exposed to it. Disposable chemotherapy-resistant gloves
should be worn while handling this medication. Avoid contact with bare skin, eyes, or mouth. Be careful not to accidentally rub your
eyes. Wear gloves when disposing of cat litter or dog droppings or cleaning up urine spills or vomit. Do not reuse gloves. Seal the
waste with all gloves and items used to clean it (eg, paper towels) in a plastic bag, then place into an additional plastic bag (double
bag) before putting in the regular trash.
Do not let treated animals lick human skin. If skin exposure occurs, the area should be washed thoroughly with soap and water.
Contact your physician if you have any concerns.
Pregnant women SHOULD NOT handle any waste or items used to clean the waste while your animal is on this drug.
What are some side effects of hydroxyurea
Secondary infections from immunosuppression, vomiting, diarrhea, inappetence, hair loss, toenail loss, LUNG DAMAGE (instruct client to immediately report any change in breathing, coughing, etc)
What kind of medication is ketoconazole?
An antifungal. (FYI, most medications ending in AZOLE are antifungals)
How is ketoconazole administered
May be oral, topical, aural, or rarely inhaled
When might a patient be given ketoconazole?
For simple fungal infections like ringworm or more complicated infections like aspergillosis
What are some side effects of ketoconazole?
Vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, rare potential for liver damage/failure
What kind of medication is levetiracetam?
An anti-convulsant (seizure prevention)
When might a patient be prescribed levetiracetam?
When they have epilepsy, brain tumor, liver shunt, any condition which causes seizures
What are some side effects of levetiracetam?
Minimal, but may cause excess sedation - especially initially
What is another name for levetiracetam?
Keppra
What must you find out about the medication if a client tells you their pet is taking levetiracetam at home?
How often do you administer it? What formulation is it - regular or extended release?
How is levetiracetam administered
Orally (available in liquid, tablet, and extended release) or IV
What is levothyroxine used for?
Hypothyoridism
If a patient comes in on levothyroxine, do you expect it is a dog or a cat?
Dog. Levothyroxine treats hypothyroidism which is almost exclusively a canine disease. (Cats get hyperthyroidism)
What kind of medication is levothyroxine?
Thyroid hormone replacement
What are the main side effects of levothyroxine?
Increased appetite, thirst, urination. May cause diarrhea or inappetence.
If a client is going to administer levothyroxine at home, what do you need to tell them?
The patient may have increased thirst or urination, please monitor for clinical signs of hyperthyroidism (markedly increased hunger, thirst, urination, excitation, etc.) and remember that it is required to do follow up bloodwork to ensure a suitable dose for their pet.
What kind of medication is mannitol?
Mannitol is an osmotic diuretic (increases fluid movement into intravascular space and ultimately out via urination) via osmotic pull
When might mannitol be used?
In a patient with significant hypotension, elevated ocular pressure, and patients with head trauma
Where is mannitol kept? Why?
Mannitol is kept in a warmer, this helps to avoid crystalization.
If you find mannitol with crystals, what should you do?
This is normal, rewarm the solution and they will dissolve
How is mannitol administered?
IV using a filter
