Prescription Drug Slide Deck Flashcards by Kelli Kronsberg

General points for antihypertensives

Lifestyle modifications (ask what the provider told them) ie weight, moderate alcohol, reduce sodium, smoking cessation, diet (DASH)
Encourage home BP monitoring
Common side effect: dizziness

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Beta-blocker key points and side effects

Monitor HR (can slow)
Do not discontinue abruptly
Side effects: exercise intolerance, sexual dysfunction, fatigue/depression, dizziness

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Calcium channel blockers key points and side effects

Monitor HR

Side effects: edema, fatigue, constipation (mostly verapamil and diltiazem)

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Diuretics key points and side effects

Monitor electrolytes (K+) - some are potassium sparing and some are potassium wasting
Side effects: urination, photosensitivity, possible rash

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Ace inhibitors key points and side effects

Monitor electrolytes
First dose hypotension is worse if dehydrated
Side effects: cough (delayed onset), dizziness, angioedema (rare)

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ARB key points and side effects

Monitor electrolytes
First dose hypotension is worse if dehydrated
Side effects: dizziness, angioedema (rare)

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HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors key points and side effects

Take in the evening for best effects (simva, lova)
Avoid grapefruit juice (simva, lova, atorva)
Lifestyle modifications
Ensure they have follow up labs in 1-3 months
Side effects: nausea/dyspepsia, myalgia (call Dr if no cause), can increase levels of enzymes in LFTs

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Warfarin key points and side effects

Consistent diet
Avoid NSAIDs
Let a provider know before you start taking a new drug or supplement
Food interactions
Keep all INR appointments
INR too high leads to bleeds
INR too low leads to clots

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Clopidogrel key points and side effects

Avoid use with omeprazole - decreases effectiveness

Side effects: (usually well tolerated), increased risk of bleed, rash, pruritus

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Metformin key points and side effects

Monitor A1C and renal function (BG monitoring not necessary)
Lifestyle modifications
Unlikely to cause hypoglycemia
Take with food
Side effects: nausea, vomiting, flatulence, diarrhea

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Insulins key points and side effects

Monitor BG at home
Explain what to do if low BG
Proper pen/vial technique and storage
Side effects: hypoglycemia, weight gain

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Muscle relaxants key points and side effects

Avoid other CNS depressants
Avoid abrupt withdrawal if taking scheduled
Side effects less severe with tizanidine than cylcobenzaprine and are less prevalent if used PRN rather than scheduled
Side effects: dry mouth, hypotension, dizziness, sedation

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Opioids key points and side effects

Abuse/dependence
Avoid other CNS depressants
APAP max dosing
Side effects: sedation, constipation, risk of abuse

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General points for antidepressants

Do not discontinue abruptly
Can increase suicide ideation (reference med guide)
Takes 4-6 weeks to see full effects
Most are sedating (except bupropion and fluoxetine)
May cause sexual dysfunction (except buproprion)
Best to start on a weekend when you can evaluate how it will effect you

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SSRI key points and side effects

Titrate to minimize side effects
Can increase bleed risk with anticoagulants
Side effects (pretty well tolerated): nausea, headache, restlessness

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Venlafaxine key points and side effects

Titrate to minimize side effects
Can increase bleed risk with anticoagulants
Side effects: insomnia, loss of appetite, constipation

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Buproprion key points and side effects

Minimal sexual dysfunction
Contraindicated in seizure disorders
Side effects: dry mouth, insomnia/agitation, weight loss, headache, tachycardia

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Benzodiazepines key points and side effects

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Avoid other CNS depressants
Taper off slowly if taking scheduled (not a concern with PRN use)
Side effects: somnolence/dizziness, abuse/withdrawal, anterograde amnesia

Zolpidem key points and side effects

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Take immediately before bedtime
Potential for dependence
Plan for a full night of sleep
Side effects: daytime somnolence, dizziness, parasomnias (not common but get a lot of press)

ADHD medications key points and side effects

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Monitor BP and HR (and height and weight for kids)
Potential for dependency/abuse (keep in a safe place and don’t let other people take it)
Side effects: nausea, loss of appetite, insomnia/irritability, headache

Gabapentin key points and side effects

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Several indications
Caution with other CNS depressants
Side effects: drowsiness/sedation, dizziness, fatigue, ataxia, fuzzy headed/confused

Albuterol key points and side effects

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Inhalation technique
For rescue
If using >2x/week reevaluate maintenance
Side effects (generally transient): headache, tachycardia, tremor/shakiness, lightheadedness

Flovent/Advair key points and side effects

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Rinse mouth out after every use
Use every day to control
Inhalation technique
Side effects: thrush, URI, cough/hoarseness, headache

Tiotropium/Combivent key points and side effects

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Inhalation technique

Side effects: dry mouth, cough/hoarseness, bitter taste, URI

Prednisone key points and side effects

Used for asthma, allergic reactions, and RA Take early in the day Often a tapering dose The side effects in the medication guide are with long term use (shouldn't experience many with short term use) Side effects: insomnia/agitation, fluid retention, increased appetite, can increase BP and BG at high doses

Triamcinolone key points and side effects

Apply sparingly No occlusive dressing unless Dr told them to Typically no more than 10-14 days (used for a little bit, stop, restart if flares back up) Side effects: skin atrophy, burning and contact dermatitis uncommon

General points for antibiotics

Take exactly how prescribed Finish the whole course even if you're feeling better May cause nausea/mild diarrhea - can take with food (except dairy with some) Predispose to yeast infection Double-check allergies May interfere with oral contraceptives - not a lot of strong evidence but better safe than sorry C. diff infection risk due to wiping out gut flora

Beta-lactam key points

Beware of PCN allergy Advise to take Augmentin with food Diarrhea is more common with Augmentin

Ciprofloxacin key points and side effects

Avoid taking with antacids, multivitamins, and dairy products Side effects: tendonopathy, photosensitivity, peripheral neuropathy, QT prolongation (only counsel if they're at higher risk)

Doxycycline key points and side effects

Not for use in

Clindamycin key points and side effects

Risk of C. diff (don't use an OTC antidiarrheal) Take full course if no problems Side effects: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea

Azithromycin key points and side effects

With or without food Do not take with antacids Side effects: GI upset, QT prolongation

Septra/Bactrim key points and side effects

Take with plenty of water to avoid crystallization in kidney Possible sulfa antibiotic allergy Side effects: photosensitivity, rash

GoLytely key points and side effects

Read packet from the prescriber and follow their instructions, not the ones on the bottle Do not plan to leave your house Don't mix with or drink any dark colors Only good for 48hr after adding water Side effects: diarrhea, nausea, increased thirst

Latanoprost key points and side effects

Administration technique | Side effects: mild irritation, blurred vision, eyelash growth, iris color change

Ophthamic antibiotics key points and side effects

Administration technique | Side effects: mild irritation, blurred vision

OC key points and side effects

Take every day See insert on what to do if you miss a pill Start on the first day of the menstrual cycle or use 'quick start' method No smoking Side effects: breast tenderness, breakthrough bleeding/spotting, reported weight gain (not a lot of evidence), headache/migraine, increased clot risk

Antiviral key points and side effects

Works best at the first sign of an outbreak Increased fluid intake Can take with or without food Side effects: malaise, headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea

Alendronate key points and side effects

Take on an empty stomach with a full glass of water and avoid lying down for 30 minutes Take calcium and vitamin D supplements Side effects: nausea, vomiting, heartburn, RARE: atypical femur fracture, osteonecrosis of jaw

Levothyroxine key points and side effects

Consistency is key** Take on an empty stomach Monitor TSH No side effects if dosage is correct (euthyroid) Side effects if dose is too high: tachycardia, sweating, weight loss

Tamsulosin key points and side effects

Monitor BP | Side effects: dizziness, orthostatic hypotension, fatigue, headache

Phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor key points and side effects

Take 30-60 minutes prior to sexual activity Contraindicated if taking nitrates Limit to 1 dose per day Side effects (generally well tolerated): headache, flushing, color vision change, dyspepsia, priapism

Epinephrine key points

Tell patient to get comfortable with the technique Still need to seek medical attention if you use it Always keep on hand and check expiration date

Prescription Drug Slide Deck Flashcards

(43 cards)