Glucophage (Metformin hydrochloride)

Class: Hypoglycemic

Cat: Biguanide

Action: ↓ hepatic glucose production

Adverse: myalgia, ↓ liver fxn, anorexia

Common: N,V,D

Nursing: labs for liver fxn, assess muscle pain, √ blood glucose levels

Family: Take with food

Dose: 500-850 mg bid

Reason: Type 2 DM

Coumadin (Warfarin Sodium)

Class: Anti-coagulant

Cat: Coumarin derivative

Action: Prevention & therapy of: PE,DVT,AF

Adverse: Peptic ulcers, Hepatic/Renal Dz, Undesired bleeding

Common: N

Nurse: Pt taking NSAIDS or ASA?, Assess skin for break down, √ labs (PT/INR)

Family: Monitor Vit K intake (bananas)

Dose: 2.5-10mg loading and maintance

Reason: Prevent clotting

Amoxicillin (Amoxil)

Class- Anti-infection

Cat- Penicillin

Action- destroy bacteria; ↓ infection

Adverse- anaphly, hypotension, seizure

Common- itching

Nurse imp- labs √ WBC, monitor GI function, h/o of reaction

Family- use alternate form of birth control ↓ effectivness

Dose: 250-500 mg q 8 hrs

Reason: infection

Ativan (Lorazepam)

Class- Anti-anxiety & Convulsant

Cat- Sedative

Action- ↓ anxiety

Adverse- Tachycardia ↑, changes n HR, R, severe ↓ BP

Common- dizziness

Nurse imp- VS: ↑ BP, P & R; Arousal state, Mental status

Family- memory impairment

Dose: 1-10 mg, 4 mg max IV (0.5 mg/kg)

Reason: ↓ anxiety (Pre-Surgery Pre-Op)

Digoxin (Lanoxin)

Class- Anti-arrhythmic

Cat- Cardiac glycoside

Action- Treatment of CHF; ↑ cardiac contractility

Adverse- bradycardia; H/A; N,V

Common- visual disturbances

Nurse imp-Apical pulse (1 min) <60 HOLD & notify MD; Monitor ECG (6hrs each dose) √ drug levels

Family- Teach Pulse √'s & BP

Dose: 0.75-1.5 loading & maintance dose; 

massage site > 2mL with IM

Reason: CHF 

Micro-K (Potassium Chloride)

Class- K+ supplement

Cat- Electrolyte

Action- Prevention or Rx of ↓ K+

Adverse- ↑ K+, Arrhythmia, Bradycardia

Common- weakness

Nurse imp- √ labs (K+ levels) Asses BP, ↓ salt diet

Family- teach diet regulation (↓ salt)

Dose: 40-80 mg , IV: 10-20(max 40mg) MUST dilute

Reason: electrolyte imbalance

Percocet (Oxycodone+Acetaminophen)

Class- Narcotic

Cat- opiod+analgesic

Action- mod→severe pain

Adverse- orthostatic BP, ↓ resp, urinary retention

Common- physical & physo. dependence

Nursing imp- Λ position slowly, monitor Resp. signs of dependence?

Family- no driving/ making imprt. decisions

Dose: 5-10 mg q 4hrs then, PRN

Reason: Pain relief

Lipitor (Atorvastatin Calcium)

Class- Lipid-lowering agent

Cat- HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor

Action- Prevention of CV disease

Adverse- arthritis, myalgia, chest pain

Common- edema

Nursing imp- √ for edema, asses for any muscle pain, h/o heart meds? (digoxin)

Family- can cause erectile dysfunction

Dose: intial 10-20 mg

Reason: ↓ risk of MI or stroke & improve cholesterol

Cardizem (Diltiazem)

Class- Anti-hypertensives

Cat- CCB calcium channel blockers

Action- Systemic vasodilation; ↓ BP

Adverse- Arrhythmias, CHF, edema

Common- anxiety

Nurse imp- strict I&O's c wght √'s, importance c oral hygiene, Asses BP

Family- Λ positions slowly

Dose: 30-360 mg

Reason: HTN

Lasix (Furosemide)

Class- Anti-hypertensives

Cat- Loop diuretic

Action- edema c CHF

Adverse- Anemia, anuria, ↓ k+

Common- muscle cramps

Nursing imp- √ labs for electrolytes, Renal fnx (strict I&O's) Asses BP

Family- Use sunblock

Dose: 20-80 mg initial → maintance

Reason: CHF