NURS 1566 Clinical Form 3: Clinical Medications Worksheets

(You will need to make additional copies of these forms)

Generic Name Trade Name Classification Dose Route Time/frequency

Venlafaxine Effexor XR antidepressants, 75 mg PO Every AM
antianxiety agents
Peak Onset Duration Normal dosage range
2-4 wk Within 2 wk unknown Extended-release (XR) capsules--75 mg once daily (some
patients may be started at 37.5 mg once daily) for 4-7 days;
doses may then be increased at intervals of not less than 4
days up to 225 mg/day
Why is your patient getting this medication For IV meds, compatibility with IV drips and/or
Major depressive illness or relapse, often in solutions NA
conjunction with psychotherapy, Generalized
anxiety disorder (Effexor XR only), Social anxiety
disorder (Effexor XR only)
Mechanism of action and indications Nursing Implications (what to focus on)
(Why med ordered) Contraindications/warnings/interactions
Inhibits serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake in the Hypersensitivity,
CNS
H
e
p
a
t
i
c

i
m
p
a
i
r
m
e
n
t

(
↓

d
o
s
e

r
e
c
o
m
m
e
n
d
e
d
)

History of seizures,
History of drug abuse
Common side effects
Interactions with other patient drugs, OTC or Lab value alterations caused by medicine
herbal medicines (ask patient specifically) Monitor CBC with differential and platelet count
Concurrent use with alcohol or other CNS periodically during therapy. May cause anemia,
depressants, including sedative/hypnotics,and leukocytosis, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, basophilia,
opioid analgesics, in depressed patients is not and eosinophilia,
h
recommended,
y
p
e
r
p
h
o
s
p
h
a
t
e
m
i
a

o
r

h
y
p
o
p
h
o
s
p
h
a
t
e
m
i
a
,

a
n
d
Nursing Process- Assessment Assessment Evaluation
(Pre-administration assessment) Why would you hold or not give this Check after giving
Assess mental status and mood changes. med? Increased sense of well-
Inform physician or other health care signs of allergy (rash, hives) occur being,
professional if patient demonstrates Renewed interest in
significant increase in anxiety, surroundings. Need for
nervousness, or insomnia, Assess suicidal therapy should be
tendencies, especially in early therapy. periodically reassessed.
Restrict amount of drug available to Therapy is usually
patient, Monitor blood pressure before continued for several
and periodically during therapy. Sustained months.
hypertension may be dose related;
decrease dose or discontinue therapy if D
this occurs, Monitor appetite and e
nutritional intake. Weigh weekly. Report c
continued weight loss. Adjust diet as r
tolerated to support nutritional status e
a
s
e
d

a
n
x
i
e
t
y