Drug Name Generic famotidine Brand Name Pepcid Ac Dosage 20 mg bid Route Oral

Action Blocks histamine H2receptors thus reducing basal, nocturnal and stimulated gastric acid secretion. Pepsin secretion is reduced resulting in decreased peptic activity. Classification H2 receptor antagonist

Indication Maintanence of duodenal ulcer, Gerd, gastric ulcer,

Desired Effect heals duodenal and gastric ulcers and prevents recurrence

Adverse Reaction Headache, dizziness, constipation, diarrhoea, nausea, rash, GI discomfort, fatigue, gynaecomastia, impotence.

Nursing Responsibilities If using one dose a day, administer drug at bedtime. Decrease doses with renal failure. Arrange for administratio n of concurrent antacid therapy to relieve pain. Take overthe-counter drug 1 hour before eating to prevent indigestion.

Report sore throat, fever, unusual bruising or bleeding, severe headache, muscle or joint pain.

Drug Name Generic levetiracetam Brand Name Keppra Dosage 500 mg bid Route Oral

Action Not known how it works to prevent seizures Classification anticonvulsant

Indication Adjunct in partial onset seizures in patients 1month old. Adjunct in myoclonic seizures in patients 12yrs old with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy. Adjunct in primary generalized tonicclonic seizures in patients 6yrs old with idiopathic generalized epilepsy.

Desired Effect Decreased number of seizures or complete cessation

Adverse Reaction Somnolence, asthenia, infection, dizziness, coordination difficulties, neck pain, pharyngitis, hematologic abnormalities, dermatological reactions

Nursing Responsibilities Take missed doses as soon as possible Do not discontinue abruptly. Do not double doses Advise patient to carry identification description disease process and medication regimen card at all times. Advise client to avoid activities that require alertness

Drug Name Generic phenytoin Brand Name Dilantin Dosage 50 mg/ml Route IV

Action anticonvulsant by increasing efflux or decreasing influx of sodium ions across cell membranes in the motor cortex during generation of nerve impulses; thus stabilising neuronal membranes and decreasing seizure activity. Classification Central nervous system agent; anticonvulsant;

Indication

Desired Effect Decreased number of seizures or complete cessation

Adverse Reaction lack of appetite, headache, dizziness, tremor, transient nervousness, insomnia, GI disturbances, tenderness and hyperplasia of the gums, acne, hirsutism, coarsening of the facial features, rashes, osteomalacia.

Control of grand mal (tonicclonic) and psychomotor seizures Prevention and treatment of seizures occurring during or following neurosurgery

Nursing Responsibilities Monitor vital signs Watch for respiratory depression Observe patient closely for neurologic adverse effects Make sure patients on prolonged therapy have adequate vitamin d and sufficient sunlight exposure Observe for symptoms of folic acid deficiency

Drug Name Generic metronidazole Brand Name Flagyl Dosage 750 mg TID Route Oral

Action Metronidazole is converted to reduction products that interact with DNA to cause destruction of helical DNA structure and strand leading to a protein synthesis inhibition and cell death in susceptible organisms. Classification antibiotic

Indication

Desired Effect Treat bacterial infections of the vagina, stomach, skin, joints, and respiratory tract.

Adverse Reaction GI disturbances e.g. nausea, unpleasant metallic taste, vomiting, diarrhoea or constipation. Furred tongue, glossitis, and stomatitis due to overgrowth of Candida. Rarely, antibioticassociated colitis. Weakness, dizziness, ataxia, headache, drowsiness, insomnia, changes in mood or mental state.

Acute infection with susceptible anaerobic bacteria Acute intestinal amebiasis Amebic liver abscess Trichomoniasis

Nursing Responsibilities Avoid use because metronidazol e may be carcinogenic Take full course of drug therapy Do not drink alcohol Take with food Report severe GI upset, dizziness, fatiue, or weakness

Drug Name Generic Calcium gluconate Brand Name Kalcinate Dosage 500 mg bid Route Oral

Action

Adverse Reaction Calcium is an overcome cardiac toxicity of Rapidly and Tingling essential element for hyperkalemia, for effectively restores sensation. regulating the cardiopulmonary serum calcium levels With rapid IV, excitation threshold resuscitation, to in sensations of of nerves and prevent hypocalcemia during acute hypocalcemia of heat waves, muscles, for blood transfusion of citrated various origins and constipation, clotting blood. Also as antidote for effective cardiac increased mechanisms, cardiac magnesium sulfate stabilizer under gastric acid function maintenance conditions of secretion, of renal function, for hyperkalemia or bradycardia, body skeleton and resuscitation. hypotension, teeth. cardiac arrest Classification Fluid and electrolytic water balance agent

Indication

Desired Effect

Nursing Responsibilities Assess for cutaneous burning sensations and peripheral vasodilation, with moderate fall in BP, during direct IV injection. Check for signs and symptoms of hypercalcem ia Do not breastfeed while taking this drug Monitor for signs of hypocalcemi a. Calcium absorption can be inhibited by zinc-rich

foods.

Drug Name Generic erythomycin Brand Name Staticin Dosage 500 mg bid Route Oral

Action Bacteriostatic or bactericidal in susceptible bacteria; binds to cell membrane, causing change in protein function, leading to cell death Classification antibiotic

Indication

Desired Effect

Acute infections Destruction of URIs, LRIs, skin and soft-tissue harmful infections caused by group A bacteria beta-hemolytic streptococci when oral treatment is preferred to injectable benzathine penicillin PID caused by N. gonorrhoeae in patients allergic to penicillin

Adverse Reaction Nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramping, diarrhea, heartburn, anorexia

Nursing Responsibilities Give on empty stomach 1h before meals. Do not give with fruit juices Make sure tablet is swallowed whole Look for signs of hypertoxicit y.

Report onset of GI symptoms after PO administrati on to physician. These are dose related; if symptoms persist after dosage reduction,

physician may prescribe drug to be given with meals in spite of impaired absorption.