| Medication/Action | Generic Name | Classification | Side Effects | Nursing Implications |
| Vicodin (decreases pain) | hydrocodone/acetaminophen | Opioid agonist/Nonopioid analgesic combination | - Confusion
- Sedation
- Constipation
- Hypotension | - Assess for pain before and after
- Measures to prevent constipation:increase bulk, increase activity, increase fluids.
- Assess BP, P, R before and during administration |
| Tylenol (Reduces pain and fever) | acetaminophen | Anti-pyretic/Nonopioid analgesic | - Rash
- Urticaria | - Administer with a glass full of water - Maybe be taken with food or an empty stomach |
| Lanoxin (Increases cardiac output and slows down the heart) | digoxin | Cardiac glycoside | - Nausea
- Vomiting
- Anorexia
- Bradycardia | - Monitor apical pulse for a full minute before administration and withhold if less than 60 bpm
- Monitor for therapeutic plasma level (0.5-2.0 mg/ml) |
| Xanax (Reduces and relieves anxiety) | alprazolam | Sedative/Hypnotic | - Drowsiness
- Light headedness
- Dry mouth | - Teach patient that abrupt withdrawal may result in pronounced restlessness, insomnia, tremors, and seizures.
- If dizziness occurs, change positions slowly, and avoid tasks that require alertness. |
| Lasix (decreases BP and remove excess fluids) | furosemide | Diuretic | Hypokalemia (muscle weakness, abdominal cramping); hypovolemia (weight loss,increased R & P, decreased BP, dry mucous membranes) | - Weigh daily
- I&O
- Monitor electrolyte-(K)
- Encourage patient to eat food high in potassium |
| Levaquin (It causes bacterial death) | levofloxacin | Anti-infective (fluroquinolones) | - Diarrhea
- Stomach cramps | - Instruct pt. to continue taking medication around the clock until finished completely, even if feeling better.
- Assess patient for infection (VS; appearance of wound, sputum, urine; WBC,) |
| Novolog (Controls hyperglycemia) | insulin | Hormone
Anti-diabetic | -Hypoglycemia
-Lipodystrophy | - Do not inject in the same site for at least a month
- Encourage patient to follow prescribed diet, exercise and medication regimen |
| Proventil (Relaxation of the airway and bronchodilation) | albuterol | Bronchodilator | - Nervousness
- Restlessness
- Tremor | - Not to exceed prescribed dose, may cause adverse effect, broncho spasm, or loss of med effectiveness
- Use 1st if using other med and allow 5 min. to before administering other med, unless otherwise
- Advise patient to wash mouth after inhalation |
| K-dur (Replacement of electrolyte or prevention of the deficiency) | potassium chloride | Electrolyte | - Cardiac arrhythmia
- Tall peaked waves on EKG showing hyperkalemia | - Assess patient for signs of hypokalemia such as weakness, fatigue, arrhythmias.
- Monitor for hyperkalemia such as fatigue, muscle weakness, paresthesia and tall-peaked T wave. |
| Lopressor (Decreases BP, heart rate and instances of angina) | metoprolol | Anti-hypertensive | - Fatigue
- Weakness
- Dizziness | - Monitor for hypotension and bradycardia and hold if pulse is less than 50 bpm
- Monitor blood pressure, ECG, and pulse frequently during dose adjustment and during therapy.
- Administer with meals or directly after eating. |
| Glucophage (Maintenance of blood glucose) | metformin | Anti-diabetic | - Hypoglycemia
- Abdominal bloating
- Diarrhea | - Monitor serum glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin periodically.
- Observe for signs and symptoms of hypoglycemic reaction. |
| Phenergan (Relief of N/V and symptoms found in allergic reactions) | Promethazine | Antihistamine/
Sedative/Hypnotic/
Anti-emetic | - Confusion
- Disorientation
- Sedation | - Assess patient for profound sedation and provide safety precautions. Supervise ambulation
- Administer deep IM |
| Tegretol (Prevention of seizures) | carbamazepine | Anticonvulsant | - Drowsiness
- Dry mouth
- Ataxia | - Give with food
- Implement seizure precautions |
| Kefzol/Ancef (It causes bacterial death) | cefazolin | Anti-infective Cephalosporin | - Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Rash | - Determine previous use of and sensitivity to penicillins or other cephalosporins.
- Assess IV site for phlebitis |
| Clozaril (Used for schizophrenia patients) | clozapine | Atypical Antipsychotic | - Agranulocytosis | - Monitor weekly WBC
- Monitor for S/S
- Report WBC of <3000mm3 and withhold clozapine |
| Cardizem (Decreases BP and angina attacks) | diltiazem | Calcium channel blocker/ Anti-anginal Coronary Vasodilator | - Hypotension
- Dysrhytmia | - Orthostatic BP monitoring
- Monitor pulse before administering for bradycardia |
| Premarin (Restoration of the hormone) | estrogens, conjugated | Hormone | - Edema
- Thromboembolism | - Monitor intake and output ratios and weekly weight.
- Assess blood pressure prior to and periodically through therapy. |
| Prozac (Decrease mood alterations) | fluoxetine | Antidepressant | - Headache
- Nervousness
- Insomnia | - Supervise suicidal-risk patient closely during early therapy for increased suicide potential.
- Assess speech pattern, mood; assist with ambulation if dizziness occurs. |
| Lithobid (Prevent or decreases incidences of acute manic episodes) | lithium | Mood stabilizer | - Weight gain
- fine hand tremor
- Polyuria
- Increased thirst
- Nausea | - Monitor blood level
- Eat diet normally and take with food
- Take with food |
| Roxanol (Decreases the severity of pain) | morphine sulfate | Opioid-Analgesic | - Confusion
- Constipation | - Assess VS for decreased BP, P and R.
- Assess type, location and intensity of pain prior to and 30-60 min. following administration.
- Implement measures to prevent constipation – increase bulk, increase activity and increase fluids |
| Bactrim, Septra (For the use of infection) | trimethoprimsulfamethoxazole-TMP-SMZ | Anti-infective Sulfonamide | - Rashes that has to be reported STAT | - Full glass of fluid
- Fluid intake should be sufficient to maintain a urine output of 1200-1500 ml to prevent stone formation |
| Coumadin (Prevent of thrombus formation) | warfarin | Anticoagulant | - Bleeding | - Check prothrombin time (therapeutic time is 1.5 to 2 X control, or INR – therapeutic level is 2-3).
- Check patient for signs of bleeding, (bleeding gums, bruising, tarry stools, hematuria). |
| N/A | aminophylline | Bronchodilator | - Nausea
- Vomiting | - Monitor therapeutic plasma range routinely
- The normal levels are 10-20 |
| Benadryl | diphenhydramine HCL | Antihistamine and Antitussive | - Drowsiness
- Dry mouth
- Anorexia | - Inform pt. drowsiness will happen
- Avoid drinking or alertness
- Avoid alcohol or CNS depressant |
| Vasotec | enalapril | ACE inhibitor (anti-hypertensive) | - Hypotension
- Tachycardia
- Impaired taste (8-12 weeks) | - Monitor BP and pulse (decreased BP and increased pulse)
- Change patient position slowly
- Advise the patient about the impaired taste |
| Adrenaline | epinephrine | Bronchodilator and cardiac stimulant | - Restlessness
- Tremors
- Dysrhytmia | - Dosage is decreased if BP is high
- Assess lung sounds, BP and pulse |
| Synthroid | levothyroxine | Thyroid (hormone) | - Tachycardia
- Arythmias | - Assess BP and pulse before each dose
- Report tachycardia and chest pain |
| Prinivil | lisinopril | ACE inhibitor (anti-hypertensive) | - Cough
- Dizziness
- Hypotension | - Monitor BP and pulse
- Assess I&O, lung sounds, daily weight
- Change patient position slowly |
| Nitro-Bid | nitroglycerine | Nitrate | - Headache
- Flushing of the face
- Postural hypotension | - Record the description of pain
- Monitor BP and hypotension
- Avoid alcohol |
| Pepcid | famotidine | Histamine H2 Antagonist | - Hypotension
- Agranulocytosis
- Arrythmias | - Monitor CBC periodically
- Assess patient for abdominal or epigastric pain
- Assess elderly and debilitated patients for confusion |
| Prednisone | N/A | Glucocorticoids | Hypertension | - Administer PO preparation with food or milk
- Assess for signs of adrenal insufficiency such as N/V and weakness |
| Vancocin | vancomycin | Anti-infective (miscellaneous) | - Ototoxicity
- Nephrotoxicity
- IV- phlebitis | - Assess for hearing loss, tinnitus, vertigo
- Assess IV and administer over 60 minutes
- Pt should not receive aminoglycosides
- Monitor I&O and serum creatinine |
| Acetylsalicyclic acid (reduces imflammation and fever) | aspirin | Nonopioid analgesic/
NSAID/ anti-pyretic | - GI bleeding
- GI distress like cramping, nausea, heartburn
- Tinnitus | - Administer after meals or with food or antacid to decrease gastric irritation.
- Advise patient to report the tinnitus, bruising or unusual bleeding |
| Colace (prevention of constipation) | docusate sodium | Stool Softener | - Mild cramps | - Give with a full glass of water |
| Motrin (decreases pain, inflammation, and fever) | ibuprofen | NSAID | - Headache
- GI bleeding
- Constipation
- Drowsiness | - Administer with food
- Advise patient to take medication with glass of water and remain upright for 15-30 min
- Caution patient to avoid use of alcohol, aspirin, or over the countment meds with consultation of physician |
