DRUG DATA CLASSIFICATION MECHANISM INDICATIONS CONTRAINDICATIO ADVERSE NURSING

OF NS EFFECTS RESPONSIBILITIES
ACTION
GENERIC Classification Antagonizes the Relief of allergic Hypersensitivity; Acute CNS: drowsiness, Diphenhydramine has multiple
NAME Therapeutic: allergy, effects of histamine symptoms caused attacks of asthma; dizziness, headache, uses. Determine why the
Diphenhydramine  cold, and cough at H1-receptor by histamine Lactation:Lactation; paradoxical excitation medication was ordered and
hydrochloride remedies, sites; does not bind release including: Known alcohol (increased in assess symptoms that apply to the
antihistamines, to or inactivate Anaphylaxis, intolerance (some liquid children). individual patient.
BRAND NAME antitussives histamine. Seasonal and products). EENT: blurred Geri: Appears in the Beers list.
Benadryl Significant CNS perennial allergic vision, tinnitus. May cause sedation and
depressant and rhinitis, Allergic Use Cautiously in: CV: hypotension, confusion due to increased
DOSE PREGNANCY RISK anticholinergic dermatoses. Severe liver disease; palpitations. sensitivity to anticholinergic
50mg FACTOR properties. Parkinson’s Angle-closure glaucoma; GI:anorexia, dry effects. Monitor carefully, assess
Pregnancy Category B Therapeutic disease and Seizure disorders; mouth, constipation, for confusion, delirium, other
ROUTES OF Effects: Decreased dystonic reactions Prostatic hyperplasia; nausea. GU: dysuria, anticholinergic side effects and
ADMINISTRATI symptoms of from medications. Peptic ulcer; May cause frequency, urinary fall risk. Institute measures to
ON histamine excess Mild nighttime paradoxical excitation in retention. Derm: prevent falls.
Intravenous (sneezing, sedation. young children; photosensitivit. Prevention and Treatment of
rhinorrhea, nasal Prevention of Hyperthyroidism; Resp: chest tightness, Anaphylaxis: Assess for
and ocular pruritus, motion sickness. thickened bronchial urticaria and for patency of
ocular tearing and Antitussive (syrup OB: Safety not secretions, wheezing. airway.
redness, urticaria). only). established; Local: pain at IM site. Allergic Rhinitis: Assess
Relief of acute degree of nasal stuffiness,
dystonic reactions. Geri: Appears on Beers rhinorrhea, and sneezing.
Prevention of list. Geriatric patients are Parkinsonism and
motion sickness. more susceptible to Extrapyramidal Reactions:
Suppression of adverse drug reactions Assess movement disorder before
cough. and anticholinergic and after administration.
effects (delirium, acute Insomnia: Assess sleep
confusion, dizziness, dry patterns.
mouth, blurred vision, Motion Sickness: Assess
urinary retention, nausea, vomiting, bowel sounds,
constipation, and abdominal pain.
tachycardia); dosepor Cough Suppressant: Assess
non-anticholinergic frequency and nature of cough,
antihistamine lung sounds, and amount and
recommended. type of sputum produced. Unless
contraindicated, maintain fluid
intake of 1500-2000 ml daily to
decrease viscosity of bronchial
secretions.
Pruritus: Assess degree of
itching, skin rash, and
inflammation.
Lab Test Considerations:
Diphenhydramine may decrease
skin response to allergy tests.
Discontinue 4 days before skin
testing.