Mosby's 2014 Nursing Drug Reference (159 page)

NURSING CONSIDERATIONS
Assess:

• 
Infection:
temp, characteristics of wounds, urine, stools, sputum, WBCs at baseline and periodically

• 
I&O ratio; report hematuria, oliguria in renal disease

• 
Hepatic studies: AST, ALT if patient is receiving long-term therapy

• 
Hearing at baseline and after treatment

• 
Renal studies: urinalysis, protein, blood

• 
C&S before product therapy; product may be given as soon as culture is taken; C&S may be repeated after treatment

• 
Pseudomembranous colitis:
diarrhea with blood, mucus; abdominal pain, fever; product should be discontinued immediately, notify prescriber

• 
Anaphylaxis:
generalized hives, itching, flushing, swelling of lips, tongue, throat, wheezing; have emergency equipment nearby

• 
QT prolongation:
may occur (IV >15 mg/min); those with electrolyte imbalances, congenital QT prolongation, elderly at greater risk; correct electrolyte imbalances before treatment, ECG

Perform/provide:

• 
Storage at room temp; store susp in refrigerator

• 
Adequate intake of fluids (2 L) during diarrhea episodes

Evaluate:

• 
Therapeutic response: decreased symptoms of infection

Teach patient/family:

• 
To report sore throat, fever, fatigue (could indicate superinfection), rhythm changes in the heart, hearing loss

• 
To notify nurse of diarrhea stools, dark urine, pale stools, jaundice of eyes or skin, severe abdominal pain

• 
To take at evenly spaced intervals; to complete dosage regimen; to take without food

TREATMENT OF HYPERSENSITIVITY:

Withdraw product; maintain airway; administer EPINEPHrine, aminophylline, O
2
, IV corticosteroids

Canada only   Side effects:
italics
= common;
bold
= life-threatening   
Nurse Alert

erythromycin (topical)

(e-rith-roe-mye′sin)

Akne-mycin, Ery-sol

Func. class.:
Topical anti-infective, anti-acne

Chem. class.:
Macrolide

ACTION:

Antibacterial activity results from inhibition of protein synthesis; bacteriostatic

USES:

Treatment of acne vulgaris

CONTRAINDICATIONS:

Hypersensitivity, children

DOSAGE AND ROUTES
Calculator
Acne vulgaris

• Adult/adolescent:
TOP
Apply to affected areas bid,
AM
,
PM

Available forms:
Topical gel, ointment, pledget, solution 2%

Administer:
Topical route

• 
For external use only; do not use skin products near the eyes, nose, or mouth

• 
Wash hands before and after use. Wash affected area and gently pat dry before using

• 
Gel/ointment/pledget/solution:
Apply to the cleansed affected area. Massage gently into affected areas

• 
Each pledget should be used once and discarded

SIDE EFFECTS

INTEG:
Burning, rash, pruritus, peeling, irritation

NURSING CONSIDERATIONS
Assess:

• 
Allergic reaction:
Assess for hypersensitivity, product might need to be discontinued

• 
Infection
: Assess for number of lesions, severity in acne

Evaluate:

• 
Decreased lesions in acne

Teach patient/family:
Topical route:

• 
That product is for external use only; do not use skin products near the eyes, nose, or mouth

• 
To wash hands before and after use, wash affected area and gently pat dry before using

• 
Gel/pledget/solution/ointment/lotion:
To apply to the cleansed affected area; massage gently into affected areas

• 
That each pledget should be used once and discarded

Canada only   Side effects:
italics
= common;
bold
= life-threatening   
Nurse Alert

escitalopram (Rx)

(es-sit-tal′oh-pram)

Lexapro

Func. class.:
Antidepressant, SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor)

ACTION:

Inhibits CNS neuron uptake of serotonin but not of norepinephrine

USES:

General anxiety disorder; major depressive disorder in adults/adolescents

Unlabeled uses:
Panic disorder, social phobia

CONTRAINDICATIONS:

Hypersensitivity to this product, citalopram

Precautions:
Pregnancy (C), breastfeeding, geriatric patients, renal/hepatic disease, history of seizures

 

Black Box Warning:

Children/adolescents ≤12 yr, suicidal ideation

DOSAGE AND ROUTES
Calculator

• Adult:
PO
10 mg/day in
AM
or
PM
; after 1 wk, if no clinical improvement is noted, dose may be increased to 20 mg/day
PM
; maintenance 10-20 mg/day; reassess to determine need for treatment

Hepatic dose/geriatric

• Adult:
PO
10 mg/day

Available forms:
Tabs 5, 10, 20 mg; oral sol 5 mg (as base)/5 ml (contains sorbitol)

Administer:

• 
With food or milk for GI symptoms, give with full glass of water

• 
Crushed if patient is unable to swallow medication whole

• 
Dosage at bedtime if oversedation occurs during the day

• 
Gum, hard candy, frequent sips of water for dry mouth

• 
Oral sol:
measure with calibrated device

• 
Storage at room temp; do not freeze

SIDE EFFECTS

CNS:
Headache, nervousness, insomnia
,
suicidal ideation,
drowsiness, anxiety, tremor, dizziness, fatigue, sedation, poor concentration, abnormal dreams, agitation
,
seizures,
apathy, euphoria, hallucinations, delusions, psychosis,
neuroleptic malignant-like syndrome

CV:
Hot flashes, palpitations
, angina pectoris,
hemorrhage,
hypertension,
tachycardia,
1st-degree AV block,
bradycardia, MI, thrombophlebitis,
postural hypotension

EENT:
Visual changes, ear/eye pain, photophobia, tinnitus

GI:
Nausea, diarrhea, dry mouth, anorexia, dyspepsia, constipation, cramps, vomiting, taste changes, flatulence, decreased appetite

GU:
Dysmenorrhea, decreased libido, urinary frequency, UTI
, amenorrhea, cystitis, impotence, urine retention, ejaculation disorder

INTEG:
Sweating, rash, pruritus
, acne, alopecia, urticaria, photosensitivity

MS:
Pain
, arthritis, twitching

RESP:
Infection, pharyngitis, nasal congestion, sinus headache, sinusitis, cough, dyspnea, bronchitis
, asthma, hyperventilation, pneumonia

SYST:
Asthenia, viral infection, fever, allergy, chills
,
serotonin syndrome

PHARMACOKINETICS

PO:
Metabolized in liver; excreted in urine; 56% protein binding; metabolized by CYP2C19, 3A4, half-life 27-32 hr; half-life increased by 50% in geriatric patients

INTERACTIONS

• 
Paradoxical worsening of OCD: busPIRone

Increase:
serotonin syndrome—tryptophan, amphetamines, busPIRone, lithium, amantadine, bromocriptine, SSRI, SNRIs, serotonin-receptor agonists, tramadol

 
Do not use pimozide, MAOIs, with or 14 days before escitalopram

Increase:
CNS depression—alcohol, antidepressants, opioids, sedatives

Increase:
side effects of escitalopram—highly protein-bound products

Increase:
levels or toxicity of carBAMazepine, lithium, warfarin, phenytoin, antipsychotics, antidysrhythmics

Increase:
levels of tricyclics, phenothiazines, haloperidol, diazepam

Increase:
bleeding risk—NSAIDs, salicylates, anticoagulants, SSRIs, platelet inhibitors

Decrease:
escitalopram effect—cyproheptadine

Drug/Herb

• 
St. John’s wort: do not use together, serotonin syndrome may occur

Increase:
CNS effect—kava, valerian

Drug/Food

• 
Grapefruit juice—increased escitalopram effect

Drug/Lab Test

Increase:
serum bilirubin, blood glucose, alk phos

Decrease:
VMA, 5-HIAA

False increase:
urinary catecholamines

NURSING CONSIDERATIONS
Assess:

 

Black Box Warning:

Mental status: mood, sensorium, affect,
suicidal tendencies,
increase in psychiatric symptoms, depression, panic, not approved for use in children

• 
Appetite with bulimia nervosa, weight daily; increase nutritious foods in diet, watch for binging and vomiting

• 
Allergic reactions:
itching, rash, urticaria; product should be discontinued, may need to give antihistamine

• 
B/P (lying/standing), pulse q4hr; if systolic B/P drops 20 mm Hg, hold product, notify prescriber

• 
Blood studies: CBC, leukocytes, differential, cardiac enzymes if patient receiving long-term therapy; check platelets; bleeding can occur

• 
Serotonin syndrome:
nausea, vomiting, sedation, dizziness, sweating, facial flushing, mental changes, shivering, increased B/P; discontinue product, notify prescriber

• 
Hepatic studies: AST, ALT, bilirubin, creatinine; thyroid function studies

• 
Weight weekly; appetite may decrease with product

• 
ECG
for flattening of T wave, bundle branch, AV block, dysrhythmias in cardiac patients

• 
Alcohol consumption; if alcohol is consumed, hold dose until
AM

• 
Sexual dysfunction:
ejaculation dysfunction, erectile dysfunction, decreased libido, orgasm dysfunction, priapism

• 
Assistance with ambulation during therapy, since drowsiness, dizziness occur; safety measures primarily for geriatric patients

Evaluate:

• 
Therapeutic response: decreased depression

Teach patient/family:

• 
That therapeutic effect may take 1-4 wk, may have increased anxiety for first 5-7 days

• 
To use caution when driving, performing other activities requiring alertness
because drowsiness, dizziness, blurred vision may occur

• 
To avoid alcohol, other CNS depressants; to avoid all OTC products unless approved by prescriber

• 
To notify prescriber if pregnant or planning to become pregnant or breastfeeding

• 
To change positions slowly, orthostatic hypotension may occur

• 
To report signs of urinary retention immediately

 

Black Box Warning:

That clinical worsening and suicide risk may occur

• 
To use MedGuide provided

TREATMENT OF OVERDOSE:

Activated charcoal, supportive care, serotonin antagonist

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