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Red Flag Recognition
Red Flag Drugs
Question | Answer |
---|---|
The maximum adult dosage of this drug is 4000mg per day. Overdose can cause liver damage. | acetaminophen (APAP) |
The antidote for overdose of this drug is acetylcysteine (Mucomyst). | acetaminophen (APAP) |
This drug comes in multiple strengths from 1mg - 10mg and interacts with aspirin and other blood thinners. | warfarin (Coumadin) |
Patients taking this drug should be advised to use a soft toothbrush and an electric razor. | warfarin (Coumadin) |
The antidote for overdose of this drug is phytonadione (Vitamin K). | warfarin (Coumadin) |
Drinking alcohol while taking this antifungal medication results in an Antabuse (severe nausea/vomiting) type reaction | metronidazole (Flagyl) |
This antibiotic becomes toxic after it is expired | tetracycline (Sumycin) |
This antibiotic is contraindicated in children under the age of 9 as it can cause discoloration of the teeth | tetracycline (Sumycin) |
This antibiotic can cause false urine glucose test readings, either unusually high or low sugar levels. | nitrofurantoin (Macrobid, Macrodantin) |
This diuretic can lower potassium and raise theophylline levels. The IV form is highly unstable and must be dispensed in an amber colored bag. | furosemide (Lasix) |
This drug can cause a rash that leads to Stevens-Johnson syndrome, which can be fatal | phenytoin (Dilantin) |
The injectable form of this antiseizure drug must be compounded with normal saline only and only has a shelf life of 1 hour after mixed. | phenytoid (Dilantin) |
If the dose of this drug is not tapered down and is stopped abruptly, the adrenals may shut down. It must be taken with food to prevent stomach bleeds. | Prednisone |
This drug is contraindicated in patients with peanut allergies | ipratropium (Atrovent) |
This acne medication is highly teratogenic. Birth control is mandatory for both men and women. | isotretinoin (Accutane/Claravis) |
This drug can only be dispensed as a 30 day supply and only after authorization from the iPledge program. No refills are allowed and it must be filled within 7 days of being written. | isotretinoin (Accutane/Claravis) |
This blood thinner is dosed anywhere from 10units/ml to 10,000units/ml and packaging is very similar. The antidote is protamine sulfate | heparin |
This drug is measured in units. The words "cloudy" and "clear" were once used to describe intermediate and rapid-acting versions of this. | insulin |
Incorrect dosages of this drug are serious and can be fatal. Any dose over 1ml should be questioned. | insulin |
This IV drug must be diluted as total vial concentration is fatal. This should never be dispensed as a floor stock medication. | potassium chloride (KCl) |
This is an agent capable of causing a blister or tissue damage if extravasation (leaking into surrounding tissue) occurs. | Vesicant chemotherapy |
These drugs are contraindicated for intrathecal use. Examples are vinblastine, vincristine, vindesine, and vinorelbine. | Vinca Alkaloids |
This drug is actually a poison derived from the fox glove plant, but when given at a dose within a narrow therapeutic range it regulates the heartbeat | digoxin (Lanoxin) |
This drug can build in the body to toxic levels. Symptoms of poisoning include nausea, vertigo, and visual disturbances such as seeing yellow-green halos around objects. The antidote for overdose is digibind. | digoxin (Lanoxin) |
This drug must be dispensed in its original amber glass vial and should be disposed of after 3 months even if the patient hasn't used it. | nitroglycerin |
Patients who take this drug should not be prescribed erectile dysfunction drugs such as Viagra or Cialis | nitroglycerin |
This drug does not require a child proof cap and the sublingual tablets can cause a burning sensation under the tongue. | nitroglycerin |
This drug is contraindicated in children and can cause Reye's Syndrome in children who have been exposed to chicken pox or other viral infections | aspirin |
Taking more than 4 grams per day of this drug can cause problems. 10 grams per day is fatal. Overdose is characterized by tinnitus, dizziness,headache, and mental confusion. Do not combine this drug with warfarin. | aspirin |
The OTC form of this drug comes in 200mg but the prescription doses are 400mg, 600mg, and 800mg. The maximum daily dose is 1200mg. It should be taken with food to avoid increased risk for stomach bleeds. | ibuprofen |
Patients who drink alcohol while taking this drug are at an increased risk for stomach bleeding and kidney damage. | ibuprofen |
Toxicity from this vitamin can cause hemolytic anemia and can be life threatening, especially in infants. 1mg is used in newborns and 10mg is used in adults, and the ampules are identical. | phytonadione (Vitamin K) |
This OTC supplement used to treat anemia is the leading cause of fatal poisonings in children under the age of 6. | Iron (ferrous sulfate) |
The Poison Prevention Packaging Act was enacted due to accidental poisonings of this OTC drug | Iron (ferrous sulfate) |
Parenteral forms of this drug must be compounded with a filter needle because the medication is so dark you can't see if coring has occurred and/or if there are particulates in the bag. Patients should be tested for hypersensitivity before infusion. | Iron dextran and iron sucrose |
This drug causes the uterus to contract and can be used to ripen the cervix to induce labor. Gloves should always be worn by pregnant women who handle the tablets. | misoprostol (Cytotec) |
Women who are pregnant should not touch broken or crushed tablets of this drug as it can cause abnormalities of the external genitalia of a male fetus. | finasteride (Proscar) |
This drug is contraindicated in young males as it may cause priapism. | trazodone (Desyrel) |
Physicians tend to prescribe this drug for sleep because of its side effect of drowsiness even though it is an antidepressant | trazodone (Desyrel) |
This is the most common diluent used in parenteral therapy. Overdose in neonates and infants can result in fluid overload and potentially death. | sodium chloride, normal saline (NaCl) |