Generic

and
Brand
Classificati
on
Indication Contraindic
ation
Side Effects Mechanism of
Action
Nursing Considerations
Chlorpro
mazine
THORAZIN
E
Antipsycho
tics
Acute and
chronic
psychoses,
particularly when
accompanied by
increased
psychomotor
activity. Nausea
and vomiting.
Also used in the
treatment of
intractable
hiccups.
Hypersensiti
vity.
Cross-
sensitivity
may exist
among
phenothiazi
nes. Should
not be used
in narrow-
angle
glaucoma.
Should not
be used in
patients
who have
CNS
depression.
CNS:
neuroleptic
malignant
syndrome,
sedation,
extrapyramid
al reactions,
tardive
dyskinesia
CV:
hypotension
(increased
with IM, IV)
EENT: blurred
vision, dry
eyes, lens
opacities
GI:
constipation,
dry mouth,
anorexia,
hepatitis, ileus
GU: urinary
retention

Hematologic:
agranulocyto
sis,
leukopenia
Skin:
photosensitivit
y, pigment
changes,
Block dopamine
receptors in the
brain; also alter
dopamine release
and turnover.
Prevention of
seizures

Assess mental status
prior to and periodically
during therapy.
Monitor BP and pulse
prior to and frequently
during the period of
dosage adjustment.
May cause QT interval
changes on ECG.
Observe patient
carefully when
administering
medication, to ensure
that medication is
actually taken and not
hoarded.
Monitor I&O ratios and
daily eight. Assess
patient for signs and
symptoms of
dehydration.
Monitor for
development of
neuroleptic malignant
syndrome (fever,
respiratory distress,
tachycardia, seizures,
diaphoresis,
hypertension or
hypotension, pallor,
tiredness, severe muscle
stiffness, loss of bladder
control. Report
rashes symptoms immediately.
May also cause
leukocytosis, elevated
liver function tests,
elevated CPK.
Advise patient to take
medication as directed.
Take missed doses as
soon as remembered,
witih remaining doses
evenly spaced through
out the day. May
require several weeks to
obtain desired effects.
Do not increase dose or
discontinue medication
without consulting
health care
professional. Abrupt
withdrawal may cause
dizziness, nausea,
vomiting, GI upset,
trembling, or
uncontrolled
movements of mouth,
tongue or jaw.
Na
Divalproe
x
Depakote
ER
Anti-
convulsant
Treatment of
primarygeneralize
d seizures,and
notably
absenceand
myoclonicseizures,
and also
for partial seizures.
Alsoused to treat
acutemanic
Hepatic
dysfunction,
urea cycle
disorder
The most
frequentadve
rse effects
areGI
disturbances,
particularly
ininitiation of
therapy
Increases level
of gamma/aminobu
tyricin brain,
whichdecreases
seizureactivity
Assess for
GIcomplaints.>Assess
for pain.>Assess for
changesin
bowel.>Assess for
EPS.>Instruct the
patientto inform
physician of transient
intestinalcramps,
increasedplasma
phase of bipolar
disorders andfor
the prophylaxis
of migraine.
prolactinlevels and
EPSoccur.
Biperiden
Akineton
Anticholine
rgic drug
Parkinsoniansyndro
meespecially
tocounteractmuscu
lar rigidityand
tremor;extrapyrami
dalsymptoms.
Untreated
narrow
angleglauc
oma,
intestinalste
nosis or
obstruction,
mega
colon,
prostatichy
pertrophy,
lifethreateni
ng
tachycardia
CNS and
peripheraleffec
ts, skin
rashes,dyskine
sia,
ataxia,twitchi
ng,
impairedspee
ch,
micturitiondiffi
culties.
Fatigue,dizzine
ss, at
higher doses,
restlessness,a
gitation,
anxiety,confusi
on
Syntheticanticholiner
gic drug,blocks
cholinergicresponses
in the CNS
*Assess for Parkinsonism,
EPS.*Assess for
mentalstatus.*Assess
patientresponse
if anticholinergics aregiv
en.*Assess for tolerance
over longterm
therapy,dosage may
haveto be increased
or changed.*Avoid
activitiesthat
requirealertness,
maycause
dizziness,drowsiness
andblurring of vision
Avoid
abruptdiscontinuation,i
ncreasedsensitivity to
sideeffects
especiallyelderly;
enhancerisk of
cerebralseizures
inpredisposedpersons,
abuse,and
impairedability to drive
or operatemachinery
Haloperid
ol
Haldol
Antipsycho
tics
Organic
Psychoses
acute psychotic
symptoms
Relieve
hallucinations,
seizure
disorder
glaucoma
elderly
clients
CNS:
extrapyramid
al symptom
such as
muscle rigidity
or spasm,
Alters the effects of
dopamine in the
CNS
Also has
anticholinergic and
alpha-adrenergic
Assess mental status
prior to and periodically
during therapy.
Monitor BP and pulse
prior to and frequently
during the period of
delusions,
disorganized
thinking
severe anxiety
seizures
shuffling gait,
posture
leaning
forward,
drooling,
masklike
facial
appearance,
dysphagia,
akathisia,
tardive
dyskinesia,
headache,
seizures.
CV:
tachycardia,
arrhythmias,
hypertension,
orthostatic
hypertension.
EENT: blurred
vision,
glaucoma
GI: dry
mouth,
anorexia,
nausea,
vomiting,
constipation,
diarrhea,
weight gain.
GU: urinary
frequency,
urine
retention,
impotence,
blocking activity.
Diminished signs
and symptoms of
psychoses
dosage adjustment.
May cause QT interval
changes on ECG.
Observe patient
carefully when
administering
medication, to ensure
that medication is
actually taken and not
hoarded.
Monitor I&O ratios and
daily eight. Assess
patient for signs and
symptoms of
dehydration.
Monitor for
development of
neuroleptic malignant
syndrome (fever,
respiratory distress,
tachycardia, seizures,
diaphoresis,
hypertension or
hypotension, pallor,
tiredness, severe muscle
stiffness, loss of bladder
control. Report
symptoms immediately.
May also cause
leukocytosis, elevated
liver function tests,
elevated CPK.
Advise patient to take
medication as directed.
Take missed doses as
soon as remembered,
enuresis,
amenorrhea,
gynecomasti
a

Hematologic:
anemia,
leucopenia,
agranulocyto
sis
Skin: rash,
dermatitis,
phtosensitivity
witih remaining doses
evenly spaced through
out the day. May
require several weeks to
obtain desired effects.
Do not increase dose or
discontinue medication
without consulting
health care
professional. Abrupt
withdrawal may cause
dizziness, nausea,
vomiting, GI upset,
trembling, or
uncontrolled
movements of mouth,
tongue or jaw.
Diphenhy
dramine
Benadryl
Antiparkins
onian drug
parkinsonism or
drug-induced
extrapyramidal
effects
cardiac
disease or
hypertensio
n
glaucoma
gastric or
duodenal
ulcers
CNS:
headache,
fatigue,
anxiety,
tremors,
vertigo,
confusion,
depression,
seizures,
hallucinations
CV:
tachycardia,
palpitations,
orthostaic
hypotension,
heart failure
EENT: blurred
vision
GI: dry
Antagonizes the
effect of histamine
at H1 receptor sites;
does not bind or
inactivate histamine
Caution the client
that the medication
may cause drowsiness,
creating difficulties or
hazards or other
activities that require
alertness.
Tell the client to take
the medication with
food to decrease GI
upset.
Explain to the client
that arising quickly form
a lying or sitting position
may cause orthostatic
hypotension.
When taking these
medications, the client
needs to have blood
mouth,
nausea,
vomiting,
constipation,
flatulence
GU: urinary
hesitancy or
frequency,
urine
retention

Hematologic:
leukopenia
Skin:
photosensitivit
y, dermatitis
cells counts, renal
function, hepatic
function, and blood
pressure monitored.
Adverse effects of
these drugs occur more
commonly in elderly
clients.
Explain to the client
that use of these drugs
in warm weather may
increase the likelihood
of heatstroke.