GENERIC NAME: Metoprolol

BRAND NAME:
CLASSIFICATION: Beta Blockers / Antimigraine Preparations
DOSAGE:

ACTION INDICATION CONTRAINDICATION ADVERSE REACTION NURSING

Metoprolol selectively Hypertension 2nd or 3rd degree AV
inhibits β-adrenergic block; sick sinus
receptors but has syndrome;
little or no effect on decompensated heart
β2-receptors except in failure; clinically relevant
high doses. It has no sinus bradycardia.
membrane-stabilising Severe peripheral
nor intrinsic arterial circulatory
sympathomimetic disorders. Cardiogenic
activity. shock. Asthma.
Phaeochromocytoma
(without α-blockade),
systolic BP <100 mmHg.
Metabolic acidosis.
Pregnancy (2nd and 3rd
trimesters).
Bradycardia, hypotension,
arterial insufficiency, chest
pain, CHF, edema,
palpitation, syncope,
gangrene; dizziness, fatigue,
depression, confusion,
headache, insomnia, short-
term memory loss,
nightmares, somnolence;
pruritus, rash, increased
psoriasis, reversible
alopecia; sexual
dysfunction/impotence,
Peyronie's disease;
diarrhea, constipation,
flatulence, GI pain,
heartburn, nausea,
xerostomia; agranulocytosis
(rare); musculoskeletal
pain; blurred vision, dry
eyes, oculomucocutaneous
syndrome; tinnitus;
dyspnea, bronchospasm,
wheezing, rhinitis; cold
extremities.
CONSIDERATION
Do not discontinue
drug abruptly after
long-term therapy
(hypersensitivity to
catecholamines may
have developed,
causing exacerbation
of angina, MI, and
ventricular
arrhythmias). Taper
drug gradually over 2
wk with monitoring.
Ensure that patient
swallows the tablets
whole; do not cut,
crush, or chew them.
Consult physician
about withdrawing
drug if patient is to
undergo surgery
(controversial).
Give oral drug with
food to facilitate
absorption.

Do not stop taking

this drug unless
instructed to do so by
a health care
provider.

Report difficulty
breathing, night
cough, swelling of
extremities, slow
pulse,
confusion,
depression, rash,
fever, sore throat
GENERIC NAME: Nifedipine
BRAND NAME:
CLASSIFICATION: Anti-Anginal Drugs / Calcium Antagonists
DOSAGE:

ACTION INDICATION CONTRAINDICATION ADVERSE REACTION NURSING

CONSIDERATION
Nifedipine blocks the Hypertension Acute MI, cardiogenic Peripheral edema, Monitor patient
slow calcium channels shock, acute unstable hypotension, carefully (BP, cardiac
thus preventing the angina, treatment of palpitations, rhythm, and output)
flow of calcium ions anginal attack in chronic tachycardia, flushing, while drug is being
into the cell. It stable angina. dizziness, headache, adjusted to
produces peripheral Special Precautions nausea, increased therapeutic dose; the
and coronary Hypotension, poor cardiac micturition frequency, dosage may be
vasodilatation, reserve, heart failure lethargy, eye pain, increased more rapidly
reduces afterload, (deterioration has been mental depression, in
peripheral resistance noted), severe aortic visual disturbances, hospitalized patients
and BP, increases stenosis, hepatic gingival hyperplasia, under close
coronary blood flow impairment, DM, porphyric myalgia, tremor, supervision. Do not
and causes reflex patients, pregnancy. Avoid impotence, fever, exceed 30 mg/dose
tachycardia. It has abrupt withdrawal paradoxical increase in increases.
little or no effect on (associated with ischemic chest pain Ensure that patients
cardiac conduction exacerbation of angina). during initiation of do not chew or divide
and rarely has Discontinue if with treatment, rashes, sustained-release
negative inotropic ischemic pain following abnormalities in liver tablets.
activity. administration. function (including
cholestasis), GI Taper dosage of beta-
obstruction in some blockers before
tablets covered in nifedipine therapy.
indigestable
membrane Protect drug from light
and moisture.

Do not chew, cut, or

crush sustained-
release tablets.
Swallow whole.

Report irregular
heartbeat, shortness
of breath, swelling of
the hands or feet,
pronounced dizziness,
constipation
GENERIC NAME: Cefalexin
BRAND NAME:
CLASSIFICATION: Cephalosporins
DOSAGE:

ACTION INDICATION CONTRAINDICATION ADVERSE REACTIONS NURSING

CONSIDERATIONS
Cefalexin binds to one Susceptible infections Hypersensitivity to hypersensitivity; GI Arrange for culture and
or more of the including skin, urinary cephalosporins. disturbances; sensitivity tests of
penicillin-binding and respiratoy tract eosinophilia, infection before and
proteins (PBPs) which infections neutropenia, during therapy if
inhibits the final leucopenia, infection does not
transpeptidation step thrombocytopenia resolve.
of peptidoglycan
synthesis in bacterial Give drug with meals;
cell wall, thus inhibiting arrange for small,
biosynthesis and frequent meals if GI
arresting cell wall complications
assembly resulting in occur.
bacterial cell death.
Take this drug with
food.

Complete the full

course of this drug
even if you feel better.

This drug is prescribed

for this particular
infection; do not self-
treat any other
infection.

Report severe diarrhea

with blood, pus, or
mucus; rash or hives;
difficulty
breathing; unusual
tiredness, fatigue;
unusual bleeding or
bruising
GENERIC NAME: Mefenamic Acid
BRAND NAME:
CLASSIFICATION: Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)
DOSAGE:

ACTION INDICATION CONTRAINDICATION ADVERSE REACTION NURSING

CONSIDERATION
Mefenamic acid Mild to moderate pain Inflammatory bowel Abdominal pain, Assess patients who
inhibits the enzymes disease; peptic ulcer; dyspepsia, constipation, develop severe
cyclooxygenase neonates; pregnancy (3rd diarrhea, nausea, GI diarrhea and vomiting
(COX)-1 and COX-2 trimester), lactation. ulcers; edema; for dehydration and
and reduces the Coronary artery bypass graft bronchospasm; electrolyte imbalance.
formation of surgery, severe renal headache, drowsiness, Lab tests: With long-
prostaglandins and impairment, severe heart insomnia, visual term therapy (not
leukotrienes. It also failure. disturbances; CHF, recommended) obtain
acts as an antagonist hypertension, periodic complete
at prostaglandin tachycardia, syncope; blood counts, Hct and
receptor sites. It has urticaria, rash; Hgb, and kidney
analgesic and thrombocytopenia, function tests.
antipyretic aplastic anemia, Discontinue drug
properties with agranulocytosis; promptly if diarrhea,
minor anti- tinnitus; elevated liver dark stools,
inflammatory enzymes; abnormal hematemesis,
activity. renal function ecchymoses, epistaxis,
Absorption: or rash occur and do
Absorbed from the not use again. Contact
GIT (oral); peak physician.
plasma Notify physician if
concentrations after persistent GI
2-4 hrs. discomfort, sore
throat, fever, or
malaise occur.
Do not drive or engage
in potentially
hazardous activities
until response to drug
is known. It may cause
dizziness and
drowsiness.
Monitor blood glucose
for loss of glycemic
control if diabetic.
Do not breast feed
while taking this drug
without consulting
physician.