Drugs

MOA

I & CI

Generic:

Mechanism of
action not
understood;
anti-epileptic
activity may be
related to its
ability to inhibit
polysynaptic
responses and
block
posttetanic
potentiation.

Indications:Adjunctive
therapy in the
treatment of
partial
seizures with
and without
secondary
generalization
in adults and
children older
than 12 yr with
epilepsy

Gabapenti
n

Brand:
Neurontin

Function
al class:
Antiepileptic

-Treatment of
amyotrophic
lateral
sclerosis
-Treatment of
moderare to
severe primary
restless legs
syndrome in
adults

Contraindica
tions:
Hypersensitivit
y; addiction
(opiate),
asthma, ileus

SE & AR

Nursing Considerations

CNS:
dizziness,
insomnia,
somnolence,
ataxia

-Monitor vital signs

before, during and after
treatment.

DERMA:
pruritis,
abrasion

-Check for drug-drug

interactions.
Collaborate with
pharmacists.

GI: dyspepsia,
vomiting,
nausea, dry
mouth,
constipation

-Take this drug exactly

as prescribed, do not
discontinue abruptly

RESPI:
rhinitis,
pharyngitis
OTHER:
weight gain,
facial edema,
impotence

-Verify doctors order.

Drugs

MOA

Generic:

The
neurochemical
mechanism of
the
antidepressant
effect of
bupropion is
not
understood;
it is chemically
unrelated to
other
antidepressant
agents; it is a
weak blocker
of neuronal
uptake of
serotonin and
norepinephrine
and inhibits
the reuptake
of dopamine to
some
extent.

Bupropion

Brand:
Welbutrin

Function
al class:
Antidepressan
t

I & CI
Indications:
-Treatment of
major
depressive
disorder
-Aid to smoking
cessation
treatment
(Zyban)
-Prevention of
major
depressive
episodes in
patients with
seasonal
affective
disorder
-Treatment of
seasonal
affective
disorder

Contraindicati
ons:
Hypersensitivit
y to bupropion;
history of
seizure
disorder,
bulimia
or anorexia,
head trauma,
CNS tumor,
treatment with
MAOIs;
lactation.
-Use cautiously

SE & AR
CNS: Agitation,
dizziness,
insomnia,
headache,
migraine
CV: Tachycardia,
chest pain,
shortness of
breath
DERMA: Rash,
alopecia, dry
skin
GI: Dry mouth,
constipation,
GU: Nocturia,
vaginal
irritation,
testicular
swelling
Other: Weight
loss, flulike
symptoms

Nursing Considerations
Monitor vital signs
before, during and
after treatment.
-Verify doctors order.
-Check for drug-drug
interactions.
Collaborate with
pharmacists.
-Monitor hepatic and
renal function tests in
patients with a history
of hepatic or renal
impairment.
-Report dark urine,
light-colored stools;
rapid or irregular
heartbeat;
hallucinations; severe
headache or
insomnia; thoughts of
suicide; fever, chills,
sore throat.

with renal or
liver disease;
heart disease,
history of MI,
pregnancy.

Drugs
Generic:
Budesonid
e

Brand:
Budecort

Functiona
l class:
Corticoster
oid

MOA
A
glucocortico
id that
inhibits the
accumulatio
n of
inflammator
y cells and
decreases
and
prevents
tissues from
responding
to the
inflammator
y process.

I & CI
Indications:
-Management

of
symptoms
of seasonal or
perennial allergic
rhinitis in
adults and children
6 yr and older
-Maintenance
treatment
of asthma as
prophylactic
therapy in adults
and children age 6
yr and older and
for patients
requiring
corticosteroids for
asthma
-Treatment and
maintenance of
clinical
remission for up to
3 mo of mild to
moderate
active Crohns
disease involving
the
ileum or ascending
colon

SE & AR
CNS:
Headache,
dizziness,
fatigue,
DERMA: Rash,
edema,
pruritus,
alopecia
ENDO: HPA
suppression,
Cushings
syndrome with
overdosage
and systemic
absorption

Nursing Considerations
-Monitor vital signs
before, during and
after treatment.
-Verify doctors order.
-Check for drug-drug
interactions.
Collaborate with
pharmacists.
-Take this drug
exactly as prescribed,
do not discontinue
abruptly

GI: Nausea,
dyspepsia, dry
mouth

-Do not take this drug

with grapefruit juice;
avoid grapefruit juice
entirely while using
this drug.

RESPI:
Epistaxis,
rebound
congestion,
pharyngitis,
cough

-Report chest pain,

ankle swelling,
respiratory
infections, increased
bruising.

Other: Chest
pain, moon
face,
acne, bruising,
back pain

Contraindication
s:
-Contraindicated
with
hypersensitivity to
drug or for relief of
acute asthma or
bronchospasm.
-Use cautiously
with TB, systemic
infections,
lactation.

Drugs
Generic:
Quetiapine
fumarate

Brand:
Seroquel

Functiona
l class:
Antipsychotic

MOA
Blocks
dopamine and
serotonin
receptors in
the brain; also
acts as a
receptor
antagonist at
histamine and
adrenergic
receptor sites
(which
may
contribute to
the adverse
effects of
orthostatic
hypotension
and
somnolence).

I & CI
Indications:-Treatment of
schizophrenia in
patients older
than 13 yr

SE & AR

Nursing
Considerations

AUTONOMIC:
Dry mouth,
salivation, nasal
congestion,
nausea, vomiting

-Monitor vital
signs before,
during and after
treatment.

CNS:
-Adjunctive
Drowsiness,
treatment of major headache,tremor
depressive
, tardive
disorder in children dyskinesias,
(ER forms only)
NMS, suicidal
ideation,
-Short-term
agitation
treatment of acute
manic or
CV:
mixed episodes
Hypotension,
associated with
orthostatic
bipolar I disorder
hypotension,
syncope
-Acute treatment
of depressive
HEMA:
episodes
Increased ALT,
associated
total cholesterol
with bipolar I
and triglycerides
disorder
Other: Risk of
-Maintenance

-Verify doctors
order.
-Check for drugdrug interactions.
Collaborate with
pharmacists.
-Take this drug
exactly as
prescribed, do
not discontinue
abruptly
- Monitor elderly
patients for
dehydration and
institute remedial
measures
promptly

treatment of
bipolar disorder
as an adjunct to
lithium or
divalproex

development of
diabetes
mellitus,
weight gain,
hyperglycemia

Contraindication
s:
-Contraindicated

with coma or
severe CNS
depression, allergy
to quetiapine,
lactation.

- Report sore
throat, fever,
unusual bleeding
or bruising, rash,
weakness,
tremors,
darkcolored
urine, pale stools,
yellowing of the
skin or eyes,
suicidal thoughts

-Use cautiously
with CV disease,
hypotension,
hepatic
impairment,
seizures

Drugs
Generic:
Albuterol
sulfate

Brand:
Ventolin

Functional
class:
Bronchodila

MOA
In low doses,
acts relatively
selectively at
beta2adrenergic
receptors to
cause
bronchodilatio
n
and
vasodilation;
at higher
doses, beta2
selectivity
is lost, and the
drug acts at
beta2
receptors
to cause

I & CI
Indications:-Relief

and
prevention of
bronchospasm in
patients with
reversible
obstructive
airway
disease or COPD
-Treatment of
acute attacks
of
bronchospasm;
prevention of
exercise induced
bronchospasm

SE & AR
CNS:
Restlessness,
apprehension,
anxiety,
fear, CNS
stimulation
CV: Cardiac
arrhythmias,
tachycardia,palpit
ations, angina
DERMA:
Sweating, pallor,
flushing
GI: Nausea,
vomiting,
heartburn

Nursing
Considerations
-Monitor vital
signs before,
during and after
treatment.
-Verify doctors
order.
-Check for drugdrug interactions.
Collaborate with
pharmacists.
-Give drug with
food to prevent GI
upset
-Take this drug

tor

typical
sympathomim
etic cardiac
effects.

Contraindicatio
ns:
-Contraindicated

with
hypersensitivity
to
Albuterol
- Use cautiously
with diabetes
mellitus (large
IV doses can
aggravate
diabetes and
ketoacidosis)

Drugs
Generic:
Tiotropium
bromide

Brand:
Spiriva

MOA
Competitivel
y
antagonistic
at muscarinic
receptor
sites; causes
smooth
muscle
relaxation,
leading to
bronchodilati
on.

I & CI
Indications:
-Long-term oncedaily maintenance
treatment
of bronchospasm
associated with
COPD, including
chronic bronchitis
and emphysema

Contraindicatio
ns:

GU: Increased
incidence of
leiomyomas of
uterus

exactly as
prescribed, do not
discontinue
abruptly

Respi:
Respiratory
difficulties,
pulmonary
edema, coughing,
bronchospasm

SE & AR
CNS: Blurred
vision
CV: Edema
GI: Dry mouth,
constipation,
abdominal
pain,
dyspepsia,
VOMITING
RESPI:
Epistaxis,
pharyngitis,
rhinitis,

Nursing
Considerations
-Monitor vital signs
before, during and
after treatment.
-Verify doctors
order.
-Check for drugdrug interactions.
Collaborate with
pharmacists.
-Take this drug
exactly as
prescribed, do not

Functional
class:
Anticholiner
gic;
Antimuscari
nic;
Bronchodilat
or

- Contraindicated
with allergy to
atropine or
its derivatives,
ipratropium or
any component
of the product.
- Use cautiously
with narrow-angle
glaucoma,
prostatic
hyperplasia,
bladder neck
obstruction,
moderate to
severe renal
impairment,
pregnancy,
lactation.

sinusitis, URI,
cough

discontinue
abruptly

Other:
Myalgia, rash,
infections,
accidents,
candidiasis,
UTI, flulike
symptoms,
arthritis

- Evaluate patient
for glaucoma;
discontinue drug at
first sign of
developing
glaucoma.
-Have patient void
before using
medication if
urinary retention is
a problem.
- Report eye pain,
eye discomfort,
blurred vision,
visual halos or
colored images
along with red
eye, urinary
retention, difficulty
urinating.