ATI Pharmacology RN Flashcards - Side Effects

Medications and Side Effects

• Digoxin (Lanoxin): Causes blurred or double vision.
• Guaifenesin: May induce drowsiness as a side effect.
• Estrogen (Premarin): Increases the risk of thromboembolism, presenting symptoms like shortness of breath (SOB), severe headache, vomiting, and sudden acute pain.
• Doxepin (Sinequan): Associated with urinary retention, constipation, drying of secretions, and increased heart rate.

Contraindications and Precautions

• Albuterol (Proventil): Contraindicated with MAOIs due to potential hypertension crisis; beta-blockers may reduce its effectiveness.
• Spironolactone (Aldactone): Avoid foods high in potassium, such as salt substitutes.
• Diphenoxylate & Atropine (Lomotil): Use caution with renal impairment due to increased anticholinergic effects.
• Norgestrel (Ovrette): Contraindicated with smoking, increasing the risk of thromboembolism and cardiovascular issues.

Therapeutic Uses and Indications

• Levothyroxine (T4): Prescribed for hypothyroidism due to dysfunction in hypothalamus, pituitary, or thyroid.
• Chloroquine Phosphate (Aralen): Used for malaria prevention; started one week before travel and continued for four weeks after return.
• Heparin: Utilized with alteplase for treating acute myocardial infarction (MI).
• Warfarin (Coumadin): Long-term prophylaxis of thrombosis, with Vitamin K as an antidote.
• Clopidogrel (Plavix): Reduces long-term clotting risk in patients with atherosclerosis or recent MI/CVA.
• Alteplase (Activase): Administered for acute MI/CVA with a short half-life.
• Methylphenidate (Concerta): Used for narcolepsy; users should avoid caffeine.
• Testosterone (IM): Assessed for bone maturation; monitors liver function and potential complications like hypoglycemia or heart failure.

Administration and Interventions

• Phenobarbital: Monitor for respiratory depression and sedation; IV should not exceed 50 mg/min to avoid extravasation.
• Sumatriptan (Imitrex): Taken upon symptoms of a migraine, with a second dose allowed after one hour if needed.
• Intravenous Route: Considered the fastest and most effective method of medication administration.
• IM Injection: Dorsogluteal site should be located for intramuscular injections.

Additional Medications and Their Effects

• Narcan: Improves respiratory rate as a therapeutic action in opioid overdose.
• Baclofen (Lioresal): Decreases frequency and severity of muscle spasms.
• Erythromycin (Erythrocin): Can cause liver toxicity.
• Loperamide (Imodium): An anti-diarrheal that is poorly absorbed and has trouble crossing the blood-brain barrier.
• Methylcellulose (Citrucel) & Psyllium (Metamucil): Both are bulk-forming agents with minimal side effects.
• Acetazolamide (Diamox): Indicated for edema, epilepsy, altitude sickness, and glaucoma; contraindicated in sulfonamide allergies.
• Metoprolol (Lopressor): Hold doses for dyspnea indicating CHF exacerbation; may cause bronchoconstriction and block gluconeogenesis.