Pharmacology 2

Digoxin, used for heart conditions, can be harmful if levels are too high. Symptoms include fast/irregular heartbeat, dizziness, and stomach problems.

Treat with IV immunoglobulin and aspirin to prevent coronary artery damage.

Adenosine is the drug of choice to treat rapid heartbeats (SVT) over 150 bpm. Given quickly near the heart, and watch the EKG.

Amiodarone, used to treat erratic heartbeats, has severe side effects like lung and thyroid problems, neuropathy and eye issues, makes your skin gray.

Many blood pressure, mental health, pain, and other medications can increase the likelihood of falls.

Drugs that break up blood clots (like tPA) aren't given to people with recent bleeding, trauma, uncontrolled high blood pressure, etc.

These drugs help prevent blood clots in stroke patients with irregular heartbeats (A-fib) by preventing thrombin from acting, but increase bleeding risk.

Report signs of kidney damage (like muscle aches, weakness, and dark urine) when taking certain medications immediately.

Oral anticoagulants like apixaban, rivaroxaban, and dabigatran that prevent blood clots.

Diuretics like spironolactone that help retain potassium, often used with other diuretics.

Powerful diuretics used for heart failure, but watch for potassium loss.

Diuretics causing potassium and sodium loss, hyperuricemia, and hyperglycemia.

Drug increasing heart muscle strength and blood vessel widening, for worsening heart failure.

Prednisone can cause high blood sugar, monitor blood glucose levels.

Clients with high blood pressure should avoid over-the-counter cold medicines due to vasoconstriction.

Avoid sodium replacements if taking ACE inhibitors or ARBs due to high potassium content.

Synthetic anti-diuretic hormone (ADH) decreasing urine output and raising urine concentration to treat diabetes insipidus.

Diabetes medication (glyburide, glipizide, glimepiride) that might cause low blood sugar and weight gain.

Methods used to prevent pregnancy.

Medications that treat migraines by constricting blood vessels in the head.

An anticholinergic medication used for Parkinson's disease; watch for glaucoma and urinary retention.

Increases dopamine levels; treats Parkinson's symptoms (tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia).

Patches containing fentanyl used to manage moderate to severe chronic pain; takes 17 hours to kick in.

Drug used to treat stroke symptoms, must be administered within 3-4.5 hours from onset.

Drugs that depress the central nervous system, use with caution due to drowsiness and potential for serious skin reactions.

Inherited condition causing muscle rigidity, high O2 demand, and dangerously high fever. Triggered by inhaled anesthetics.

Medication to slow ALS progression; has a limited effect on lifespan. ALS is a rapidly progressing, terminal disease.

Anticonvulsant with a narrow therapeutic range. Watch for nystagmus, imbalance, and slurred speech

Regular insulin is the only insulin for intravenous (IV) administration; others are subcutaneous (subQ).

Glargine insulin should never be mixed with other insulins in a syringe; only Regular (R) and NPH insulins can be mixed.

When administering insulin, monitor potassium levels to prevent worsening hypokalemia.

Levothyroxine, a hypothyroidism treatment, must be taken on an empty stomach in the morning and not with antacids, calcium, or iron.

Levothyroxine treatment requires ongoing monitoring of TSH levels; adjustment may be needed to maintain optimal levels.

A list of medications potentially inappropriate for older adults due to increased risk of adverse effects.

Thiazolidinediones (TZDs) such as rosiglitazone and pioglitazone treat type 2 diabetes but may worsen heart rate by causing fluid retention.

Metformin is an oral antidiabetic that increases insulin receptor sensitivity and reduces glucose production by the liver.

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) reduce gastric acid, helping conditions like peptic ulcers and GERD, but increase the risk of C.Diff.

Sulfasalazine, used for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), contains sulfapyridine and aspirin. It can cause dehydration and potential kidney injury.

Anticholinergic medication preventing nausea and vomiting from motion sickness. Applied as a patch.

Used for conscious sedation, but carries risk of respiratory arrest.

Ferrous Sulfate treats iron deficiency, but shouldn't be taken with calcium or antacids. Vitamin C increases absorption

Radiation treatment requiring lead shielding, time restrictions, and visitor distancing.

Cancer treatment complication causing electrolyte imbalances (hypocalcemia, hyperuricemia, hyperkalemia, hyperphosphatemia).

Drugs reducing RA inflammation, but increasing risk of reactivating latent TB.

Cancer treatment causing significant kidney problems; monitor kidney function closely.