Cardiotonic 125 and 250 mcg

Digoxin PO/IV
Lanoxin, digitek Varies on wt.

Use: for coronary heat disease. To treat mild to moderate heart failure

Absorption/ excretion: T ½: 30-40 hr / urine

Side effects/ adverse: anorexia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, weakness,

dizziness, apathy, confusion

Nursing considerations: allergy to digitalis preps.

Anticholinergic 0.4mg to 1 mg
Atropine IV
AtroPen, Sal-tropine 0.4-1 mg IV q1-2 hr prn

Use: coronary artery disease, To temporarily increase heart rate or decrease AV-
block

Absorption/ excretion: hepatic T ½: 2.5 hr/ urine

Side effects/ adverse: Dryness of the mouth, blurred vision, photophobia and
tachycardia

Nursing considerations: allergy to anticholinergics, glaucoma, asthma, COPD,

Antihypertensive 0.1-0.3 mg
Clonidine PO
Catapres,Apo-clonidine,Dixatrit 0.1 mg bid

Use: For hypertension

Absorption/ excretion: hepatitic T1/2: 12-16 hr/ urine

Side effects/ adverse: drowsiness, bradycardia, nausea, constipation, vomiting,

tachycardia

Nursing considerations allergy to clonidine, recent MI, pregnancy,

Thiazide diuretic 12.5, 25, 50 100 mg
hydrochlorothiazide PO
Apo- hydro, Ezide, hydro-par 12.5 -200 mg po daily

Use: tx edema associated w heart failure, or tx hypertension

Absorption/ excretion: hepatic T1/2: 5- 14 hr/ urine

Side effects/ adverse:dizziness, nausea, vomiting, drymouth, headache

Nursing considerations: allergy to thiazides, sulfonamides, diabetes, gout,

Antihypertensive 10, 25, 50, 100 mg
Hydralazine IM/IV
Apo-hydralazine, apresoline, Novo- hylazin 20-40 mg

Use: to treat hypertension

Absorption/ excretion: hepatic T1/2: 3-7 hr/ urine

Side effects/ adverse: headache, nausea, vomiting, fever chills, constipation,

dizziness

Nursing considerations: allergy to hydralazine, heart disease, CVA, pregnancy,

give med w food,
Antihypertensive, Antiarrhythmic 40-240 mg
Verapamil, PO
Apo-verap, Calan 40-80 mg PO tid

Use: angina and superventricular tachyarrhythmia

Absorption/ excretion: hepatic T1/2; 3-7 min, then 1 hr then 24/ bile

Side effects/ adverse: dizziness, nausea, vomiting, headache, seizures

Nursing considerations: allergy to Verapamil, pregnancy, hypotension,

Antianginal, Antihypertensive 30-420 mg
Diltiazem PO
Cardizem, Dilacor, Tiazac 30mg PO qid before meals & hs

Use: hypertension and angina

Absorption/ excretion: hepatic T1/2: 3-6 hr/ urine

Side effects/ adverse: dizziness, headache, fatigue, hypotension, bradycardia,

rash, nausea

Nursing considerations: allergy to diltiazem, pregnancy

Antihypertensive 25-200 mg
Metoprolol PO
Betolac, Apo-metoprolol 100mg a day

Use: hypertension

Absorption/ excretion: hepatic T1/2: 3-4 hr/ urine

Side effects/ adverse: nausea, vomiting,dizziness, dry eyes, constipation

Nursing considerations: hx sinus bradycardia, COPD, give med w food
Antihypertensive 12-100 mg
Captopril PO
Capoten, Apo-Capto, Nu-Capto 25mg PO bid or tid

Use: hypertension and heart failure

Absorption/ excretion:T ½: 2 hr/ urine

Side effects/ adverse: tachycardia, rash, dry mouth, constipation

Nursing considerations: allergy to Captopril, pregnancy, give 1 hr before meals, avoid OTC
meds
Antiarrhythmic 2-8 mg/ml
Lidocaine IV
Xylocaine 50-100 mg at rate 25-50 mg/min

Use:acute ventricular aarhythmias

Absorption/ excretion: hepatatic T ½ : 10 min then 1-3 hr/ urine

Side effects/ adverse: dizziness, nausea, vomiting, headache, edema

Nursing considerations : allergy to lidocaine, pregnancy