Pharmacology Review Flashcards
ALBUTEROL
Beta 2-agonist, short acting
Treats asthma, COPD, wheezing, or difficulty breathing
Tremor & tachycardia
ALPRAZOLAM (XANAX)
Benzodiazepine
Treats anxiety, panic disorder, & generalized anxiety disorder
CNS Depression, Anterograde Amnesia, Respiratory Depression, paradoxical effects, sleep related behaviors
Worry about sedation
Abuse potential - taper off & use short term
Antidote = Flumazenil
BENZTROPINE (COGENTIN)
Anticholinergic drug to treat Parkinson’s disease
Reduce tremors & rigidity
Do not dc abruptly
Causes dry mouth, blurred vision, etc
May aggravate glaucoma, measure intraocular pressure periodically
DONEPEZIL (ARICEPT)
Cholinesterase Inhibitors
Improves cognitive function in pts w/ mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease
Do not use with NSAIDS (+ risk for GI bleeding) or anticholinergic drugs (decreases it’s effects)
Contraindications: GI Bleeding
HYDROCHLOROTHIAZIDE (HCTZ)
Thiazide diuretic - Increases renal excretion of sodium chloride, potassium, & H2O
Treats hypertension or edema
Can cause: hyponatremia (<135mEq/L), hypochloremia (<96mEq/L), hypokalemia(<3.5mEq/L)
Not potassium sparing
HYDROCODONE/ACETAMINOPHEN (LORTAB)
Treats mild to moderate pain
Causes respiratory depression, constipation, cough suppression, & miosis
Antidote = Naloxone
Available only in combination of other drugs
HYDROMORPHONE (DILAUDED)
Treats acute moderate to severe pain (7-10)
Causes respiratory depression, sedation, cough suppression
Antidote = Naloxone
INSULIN
Treats all pts w/ Type 1 diabetes & many pts w/ Type 2 diabetes
LISINOPRIL (PRINIVIL, ZESTRIL)
ACE Inhibitor
Treats hypertension, heart failure, diabetic nephropathy, & MI
Can cause persistent, dry & nonproductive cough, & hyperkalemia (>5.0) - Notify HCP
All ACE inhibitors are excreted by the kidneys
Contraindicated in pregnancy
LITHIUM CARBONATE (ESKALITH)
Stabilize mood in pts w/ Bipolar Disorder (BPD)
Lithium levels must be kept below 1.5mEq/L
Levels above 2.5mEq/L can cause death
Therapeutic Level = 0.4-1mEq/L
LORAZEPAM (ATIVAN)
Benzodiazepine
Treats generalized anxiety disorder, anxiety, insomnia, seizures, etc.
Undergoes little metabolic alteration & preferred for pts w/ hepatic impairment
Antidote = Flumazenil
LOW MOLECULAR WEIGHT HEPARIN (LMWH) (ENOXAPARIN)
Given subQ
Prevents DVT by preventing formation of blood clots
Approved for preventing ischemic (reduced blood flow) complications
Overdose causing hemorrhage can be controlled w/ protamine sulfate
METRONIDAZOLE (FLAGYL)
Antibiotic used to treat protozoal & bacterial infections
Infusions must be done slowly (over 1 hr)
Has disulfiram-like actions if mixed w/ alcohol, AVOID ALCOHOL
Metallic taste in mouth is a common side effect
Need good venous access bc it can be necrotic to tissues
METOPROLOL (LOPRESSOR)
Beta-blocker
Treats hypertension
Change positions slowly to prevent orthostatic hypotension
Assess HR & BP before use
If HR is <60 or BP <90/60 hold medicine & notify HCP
MORPHINE SULFATE
Strong opioid analgesic
Treats pain & can reduce anxiety
Can cause respiratory depression, constipation, & UTI art retention
Take fiber, stool softeners, & drink H2O to prevent constipation
Institute fall precautions
Antidote = Naloxone
NIFEDIPINE (PROCARDIA)
Calcium Channel Blocker
Treats angina pectoris & hypertension
W/hold if HR <60 & SBP <90
Can cause reflex tachycardia, flushing, gingival hyperplasia
PANTOPRAZOLE (PROTONIX)
Proton pump inhibitor (PPI)
Used to treat GERD
Increased risk of pneumonia due to elevation of gastric PH
Longterm may pose a risk to osteoporosis, colds, pneumonia
Check baseline magnesium
PAROXETINE (PAXIL)
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI)
Indications: major depression, OCD, social anxiety, PTSD, premenstrual dysphoric disorder & postmenopausal vasomotor symptoms
May increase risk of suicide
Monitor for hypotension, drowsiness, & suicide ideation
PREDNISONE
Glucocorticoid Steroid
May cause adrenal insufficiency
Can increase urinary loss of potassium & induce hypokalemia
Watch for hyperglycemia
Monitor pts for s/s of fluid retention
Higher risk to colds/pneumonia
QUETIAPINE (SEROQUEL)
Second generation antipsychotic
Treats schizophrenia, major depression, manic & depression eps for bipolar pts, w/ acute eps of mania
Can cause prolonged QT interval -> lowers HR
Don’t give w/ meds that prolong QT
RISPERIDONE (RISPERDAL)
Second generation antipsychotic
Treats schizophrenia, bipolar mania, & autism spectrum disorder in children
Can cause increased prolactin levels, metabolic effects, agitation, etc.
Increase risk for stroke & death in geriatric pts w/ dementia
Low doses should be used for pts w/ renal & hepatic impairments
SIMVASTATIN (ZOCAR)
Lowers LDL, total cholesterol, & triglycerides & may increase HDL thus reduce risk of heart failure, MI, & sudden death
Monitor for rhabdomyolysis - muscle pain (or leg pain)
Low dose recommended for pts w/ severe renal impairment
Avoid grapefruits & their juice
VALPROIC ACID (DEPAKOTE)
Antiepileptic or anti seizure drug
Treats major seizure types, bipolar disorder (mood stabilizer) to control manic eps
Administer w/ food
Can cause severe hepatotoxicity & pancreatitis
VENLAFAXINE (EFFEXOR)
Serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor
Don’t give with MAOIS (depression drugs)
Taper dose over 2-4 weeks to prevent wdrawl symptoms
ER tablets should be taken whole but capsules can be opened
