Top 200 Drugs Key Patient Counseling Points and Clinical Pearls

Question 1

What are the key patient counseling points and clinical pearls for acyclovir?

Answer 1

Complete full course of therapy and ensure adequate hydration. Symptoms should improve within 2-3 days, contact dr if not. Not for children under 2 years old

Question 2

What are the key patient counseling points and clinical pearls for amiodarone?

Answer 2

Use sunscreen, avoid sun exposure. Report signs/symptoms of cardiac arrhythmias, pulmonary toxicity, or liver toxicity. Inform doctor before starting new medications. Take consistently with regard to meals, no grapefruit or grapefruit juice. Med guide required. may exacerbate arrhythmias, may turn skin blue-gray color (Smurf syndrome)

Question 3

What are the key patient counseling points and clinical pearls for amoxicillin?

Answer 3

Complete full course of therapy, take with food if causes upset stomach. Symptoms should improve in 2-3 days, if not contact dr. May decrease effectiveness of oral contraceptives, use backup method of contraceptives
For suspension, shake well and can store in fridge for better taste, note short expiration date
Due to cross sensitivity between penicillin and cephalosporins, use with caution in cephalosporin-allergic patients

Question 4

What are the key patient counseling points and clinical pearls for amoxicillin/clavulanate?

Answer 4

Complete full course of therapy, take with food to ensure absorption. Symptoms should improve within 2-3 days, if not call dr. May decrease effectiveness of oral contraceptives, use backup method of contraceptives
Due to cross sensitivity between penicillin and cephalosporins, use with caution in cephalosporin-allergic patients

Question 5

What are the key patient counseling points and clinical pearls for apixiban?

Answer 5

Seek medical attention if any unexpected bleeding or trouble breathing. Take with or without food. Do not abruptly stop (may increase risk of stroke). Avoid OTC NSAIDs and high-dose aspirin (can increase bleeding). Must be stopped for procedures

Question 6

What are the key patient counseling points and clinical pearls for aspirin?

Answer 6

Avoid additional aspirin, NSAIDs, or aspirin-containing products during use, unless Dr instructed. Avoid >3 alcoholic drinks/day. Stop use for dental procedures

Question 7

What are the key patient counseling points and clinical pearls for azithromycin?

Answer 7

Complete full course of therapy, with or without food (with food can increase tolerability). Symptoms should improve within 2-3 days, if not contact your doctor.
Use with caution in sever renal, hepatic, or cardiac disease. Pediatric use is restricted to community-acquired pneumonia

Question 8

What are the key patient counseling points and clinical pearls for cefdinir?

Answer 8

Complete full course of therapy. Symptoms should improve within 2-3 days, if not contact dr. Seperate from antacids, iron, and vitamins by 2 hours.
For suspension, shake well and store at room temperature
Use in caution in penicillin allergy patients

Question 9

What are the key patient counseling points and clinical pearls for cephalexin?

Answer 9

Complete full course of therapy. Symptoms should improve in 2-3 days, if not call Dr. Seek medical attention for rash.
For suspension, shake well and store in fridge
Use with caution in penicillin-allergic patients

Question 10

What are the key patient counseling points and clinical pearls for ciprofloxacin (oral)?

Answer 10

Seek medical attention if decreased urination, yellowing of the eyes, blistering skin rash or extreme fatigue, unusual bruising or bleeding, shortness of breath or chest pain, tendon pain, muscle weakness, a ““pins and needles”” tingling or pricking sensation, numbness in the arms or legs, confusion or hallucinations. Take with or without food, not with milk or other dairy products. Take cipro at least 2 hours before or 6 hours after antacids, sucralfate, or mineral supplements and multivitamins with calcium zinc or iron.
For suspension shake well and store at room temperature
Not approved in children under 18 except for anthrax and complicated UTIs. Med guide required

Question 11

What are the key patient counseling points and clinical pearls for ciprofloxacin (otic)?

Answer 11

Warm solution by holding container in hands for at least 1 min before administering. Patient should lie with affected ear upward; maintain for 1 min; repeat in opposite ear if necessary
Not approved in children less than 1 year old

Question 12

What are the key patient counseling points and clinical pearls for clindamycin (oral)?

Answer 12

Complete full course of therapy, take with full glass of water, remain upright for 30 min after to minimize GI uleration risk. Symptoms should improve in 2-3 days, if not contact Dr
Prolonged use may result in fungal or bacterial superinfection

Question 13

What are the key patient counseling points and clinical pearls for clindamycin (topical)?

Answer 13

“Wash and dry face prior to application. Use on skin only, avoid eyes, mucous membrane, open skin.
May increase sensitivity to the sun, use sunscreen but wait 1-2 hour after applying. “

Question 14

What are the key patient counseling points and clinical pearls for clopidogrel?

Answer 14

Report signs and symptoms of bleeding. Do not stop abruptly without talking to Dr
Discontinue 5 day prior to elective surgery

Question 15

What are the key patient counseling points and clinical pearls for dapagliflozin?

Answer 15

Take before first meal of the day to reduce post meal hyperglycemia. Be aware of symptoms of dehydration (dizziness, low BP, decreased urination) and UTI and report to Dr

Question 16

What are the key patient counseling points and clinical pearls for diltiazem?

Answer 16

Report symptomatic hypotension, bradyarrhythmia, peripheral edema, syncope. Follow specific instructions regarding timing and meals. No alcohol
Avoid concomitant use of beta-blockers or digoxin

Question 17

What are the key patient counseling points and clinical pearls for doxycycline?

Answer 17

Complete full course of therapy, take with 8oz of water, may take with food (no calcium). Symptoms should improve in 2-3 days, if not call Dr. May cause photosensitivity, discontinue at first sign of skin erythema. Wear sunscreen and avoid prolonged light exposure

Question 18

What are the key patient counseling points and clinical pearls for fluconazole?

Answer 18

Don’t take new medication without consulting Dr, Take same time of day if multiple doses

Question 19

What are the key patient counseling points and clinical pearls for isosorbide mononitrate?

Answer 19

Take on empty stomach with glass of water. Swallow XR whole, do not crush or chew. Medicine can cause headaches (means its working), relieve with Tylenol. Can cause dizziness, no driving. Stand up slowly, do not stop abruptly. No alcohol

Question 20

What are the key patient counseling points and clinical pearls for ketoconazole (topical)?

Answer 20

Apply thin layer to skin, avoid open skin, eyes, nose, mouth, vagina. Do not wash for 3 hours after application. Other things applied after 20 min.

Question 21

What are the key patient counseling points and clinical pearls for metronidazole?

Answer 21

Avoid alcohol while taking and for 3 days after. Complete full course of therapy, may take with food. Symptoms should improve in 2-3 days, if not contact dr

Question 22

What are the key patient counseling points and clinical pearls for nitrofurantoin?

Answer 22

May discolor urine brown. Complete full course of therapy, symptoms should improve in 2-3 days,if not contact dr

Question 23

What are the key patient counseling points and clinical pearls for nitroglycerin?

Answer 23

Sit prior to administration, tablet dissolved under tongue, no food or drink after. Rise slowly form sitting to avoid lightheadedness. Avoid concurrent use with alcohol, CNS depressants, antihypertensives, or other drugs that cause hypotension. Call 911 if one dose does not relieve symptoms

Question 24

What are the key patient counseling points and clinical pearls for oseltamivir phosphate?

Answer 24

Complete full therapy, take with food to minimize GI upset. Symptoms should improve within 2-3days, if not call Dr. Take missed dose as soon as possible, if within 2 hours of next dose skip.
Treatment must start within 48 hours of exposure or onset of symptoms

Question 25

What are the key patient counseling points and clinical pearls for rivaroxaban?

Answer 25

Educate patients on signs and symptoms of bleeding and interaction with other medications. Warn of risk of spinal anesthesia while taking

Question 26

What are the key patient counseling points and clinical pearls for sacubitril/valsartan?

Answer 26

Do not discontinue abruptly, Potassium supplements or salt substitutes with medical supervision. May cause dizziness, avoid driving using machinery. Avoid NSAIDs while taking

Question 27

What are the key patient counseling points and clinical pearls for torsemide?

Answer 27

Avoid alcohol and NSAIDs. Increased sun sensitivity, use sunscreen. Report signs/symptoms of hypotension or decreased urine output. Eat high potassium foods. Monitor daily weight

Question 28

What are the key patient counseling points and clinical pearls for trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole?

Answer 28

Complete full course of therapy, maintain adequate hydration. Symptoms should improve in 2-3 days, if not call Dr. May cause photosensitivity, use sunscreen. Seed med attention for severe diarrhea, dark urine, yellowing of skin or eye, unusual bruising or bleeding, blistering skin rash, or SOB
Do not use in patients with G6PD deficiency

Question 29

What are the key patient counseling points and clinical pearls for valacyclovir?

Answer 29

Symptoms should improve within 2-3 days, if not call Dr. Maintain adequate hydration. Seek medical attention if decreased urination, unusual bruising or bleeding, blistering skin rash, or SOB.
Not indicated for children less than 2 years old

Question 30

What are the key patient counseling points and clinical pearls for verapamil?

Answer 30

Do not crush or chem XR tablets. Rise from sitting or lying slowly. No grapefruit or grapefruit juice. Avoid sudden discontinuation. report symptomatic hypotension, bradyarrhythmia, peripheral edema, syncope.
Not approved in children <18 years old

Question 31

What are the key patient counseling points and clinical pearls for warfarin?

Answer 31

Avoid situation/activities in which cuts, bruising, injury are likely to occur. Report sings/symptoms of hemorrhage, skin and tissue necrosis. Consult Dr before starting new medications. Avoid alcohol, cranberry products, and drastic changes in Vitamin K consumption