Mosby's 2014 Nursing Drug Reference (177 page)

fingolimod (Rx)

(fin-gol′i-mod)

Gilenya

Func. class.:
Biologic response modifier

Chem. class.:
Sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor modulator

ACTION:

Binds with high affinity to sphingosine 1-phosphate receptors; blocks lymphocyte egress to lymph nodes, thereby reducing the number of peripheral blood lymphocytes; may reduce lymphocyte migration into the CNS

USES:

To reduce frequency of exacerbation, to delay physical disability of relapsing forms of MS

CONTRAINDICATIONS:

Hypersensitivity

Precautions:
Pregnancy (C), breastfeeding, neonates/infants/children, AIDS, asthma, AV block, bradycardia, cardiac disease, COPD, diabetes mellitus, dysrhythmias, heart failure, hepatic disease, HIV, hypertension, immunosuppression, leukemia, lymphoma, QT prolongation, respiratory insufficiency, sick sinus syndrome, syncope, uveitis

DOSAGE AND ROUTES
Calculator

• Adult:
PO
0.5 mg/day

Hepatic dose

• Adult:
PO
Child-Pugh C, total score >10: closely monitor, fingolimod exposure is doubled

Available forms:
Caps 0.5 mg

Administer:
PO route

• 
Watch patient for 6 hr after initial dose or if product not given for >2 wk for development of bradycardia

• 
Give without regard to food

SIDE EFFECTS

CNS:
Asthenia, depression, fatigue, headache, dizziness, encephalopathy, migraine, paresthesias,
stroke

CV:
AV block, bradycardia, chest pain, hypertension, palpitations

EENT:
Blurred vision, vision impairment, ocular pain, macular edema

GI:
Abdominal pain, anorexia, diarrhea, jaundice, vomiting, weight loss

HEMA:
Leukopenia, lymphopenia, neutropenia

INTEG:
Alopecia, pruritus

MS:
Back pain

RESP:
Dyspnea, cough

SYST:
Infection, influenza,
secondary malignancy

PHARMACOKINETICS

Protein binding (99.7%), distributed to RBCs (86%), steady state 1-2 months, metabolized by CYP4F2 and CYP2D6 to a lesser extent, terminal half-life 6-9 days, excreted in urine (81% inactive metabolites), peak 12-16 hr

INTERACTIONS

Increase:
immunosuppression—antineoplastics, immunosuppressants, immune modulating therapies

Increase:
fingolimod effect—ketoconazole

Increase:
infection risk—live vaccines

Decrease:
effect of—inactive vaccines, toxoids

Increase:
risk of torsades de pointes—Class Ia/III antidysrhythmics

NURSING CONSIDERATIONS
Assess:

• 
Multiple sclerosis:
improving paresthesia, muscle weakness, clonus, muscle spasms, difficulty with moving, difficulty with coordination of balance, speech, swallowing, vision problems, fatigue; prevention of increasing disability

• 
Laboratory monitoring:
obtain before initial dose; CBC, LFTs, serum bilirubin, ophthalmologic exam, antibodies to VZV; if there is no history of chickenpox
or no vaccination, may give VZV vaccination to antibody-negative patient before giving product, postpone for 1 mo after vaccination; obtain ECG for evidence of bradycardia, AV block

Perform/provide:

• 
Storage at room temp, protect from moisture

Evaluate:

• 
Therapeutic response: improved symptoms of multiple sclerosis and prevention of increasing disability

Teach patient/family:

• 
About use of product and expected results; provide med guide to patient

• 
That continuing follow-up exams and laboratory tests will be required on a regular basis

• 
To report any side effects of therapy

• 
To protect product from moisture

• 
To report chest pain, palpitations, jaundice

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

flecainide (Rx)

(flek-ay′nide)

Tambocor

Func. class.:
Antidysrhythmic (Class IC)

ACTION:

Decreases conduction in all parts of the heart, with greatest effect on the His-Purkinje system, which stabilizes cardiac membrane

USES:

Life-threatening ventricular dysrhythmias, sustained ventricular tachycardia, supraventricular tachydysrhythmias, paroxysmal atrial fibrillation/flutter associated with disabling symptoms

Unlabeled uses:
Atrial fibrillation, single dose

CONTRAINDICATIONS:

Hypersensitivity, AV bundle branch block, cardiogenic shock

Precautions:
Pregnancy (C), breastfeeding, children, geriatric patients, renal/hepatic disease, CHF, respiratory depression, myasthenia gravis, electrolyte abnormalities, atrial fibrillation, sick sinus syndrome, torsades de pointes

 

Black Box Warning:

MI, cardiac arrhythmias, atrial fibrillation

DOSAGE AND ROUTES
Calculator
PSVT/PAT

• Adult:
PO
50 mg q12hr; may increase q4days by 50 mg q12hr to desired response, max 300 mg/day

Life-threatening ventricular dysrhythmias

• Adult:
PO
100 mg q12hr; may increase by 50 mg q12hr q4days, max 400 mg/day

Renal dose

• Adult:
PO
CCr <35 ml/min, 100 mg daily or 50 mg bid initially

Available forms:
Tabs 50, 100, 150 mg

Administer:
PO route

• 
Reduced dosage as soon as dysrhythmia is controlled

• 
May give with meals for GI upset

• 
May adjust dose q4days

• 
Therapeutic trough serum concentrations for adults range from 200 to 1000 ng/ml (average, 500 ng/ml); toxicity is more common with trough serum concentrations >1000 ng/mL; usual therapeutic range in children is 200–500 ng/mL; in some cases, up to 800 ng/mL is required

• 
Adjust dosage at intervals of ≥4 days (approximate plateau effects) following dosage adjustments; however, longer intervals are needed in patients with renal or hepatic impairment

• 
Frequent serum drug concentration monitoring is required for patients with severe renal (CrCl <35 ml/min) or hepatic disease and may also be helpful in patients with CHF or in patients with moderate renal disease

• 
Monitoring of flecainide serum concentrations is strongly recommended in patients receiving amiodarone therapy

SIDE EFFECTS

CNS:
Headache, dizziness
, involuntary movement, confusion, psychosis, rest
lessness, irritability, paresthesias, ataxia, flushing, somnolence, depression, anxiety, malaise, fatigue, asthenia, tremors

CV:
Hypotension, bradycardia
, angina, PVCs,
heart block, cardiovascular collapse, arrest,
dysrhythmias,
CHF, fatal ventricular tachycardia,
palpitations,
QT prolongation, torsades de pointes

EENT:
Tinnitus,
blurred vision
, hearing loss, corneal deposits, dry eyes

GI:
Nausea, vomiting, anorexia, constipation, abdominal pain, flatulence, change in taste, diarrhea

GU:
Impotence, decreased libido, polyuria, urinary retention

HEMA:
Leukopenia, thrombocytopenia

INTEG:
Rash, urticaria, edema, swelling

RESP:
Dyspnea,
respiratory depression

PHARMACOKINETICS

Peak 3 hr, half-life 12-27 hr, metabolized by liver, excreted unchanged by kidneys (10%), excreted in breast milk

INTERACTIONS

Increase:
of both products—propranolol

Increase:
CV depressant action—β-blockers, disopyramide, verapamil

Increase:
flecainide level—amiodarone, cimetidine, ritonavir

Increase:
digoxin level—digoxin

Increase or decrease:
effect—urinary, alkalinizing agents, acidifying agents

Drug/Lab Test

Increase:
CPK

NURSING CONSIDERATIONS

 

Black Box Warning:

MI, CHF, cardiogenic shock:
should not be used in these conditions

 

Black Box Warning:

Atrial fibrillation:
avoid use, risk of ventricular dysrhythmias

 

Black Box Warning:

Cardiac dysrhythmias:
discontinue in those with prolonged QRS >180 ms or prolonged PR >300 ms

Assess:

• 
Electrolyte imbalances:
hypo/hyperkalemia before administration; correct electrolytes before use

• 
CNS effects: dizziness, confusion, psychosis, paresthesias, seizures; product should be discontinued

• 
Flecainide level:
Monitor level in those with CHF or renal failure; peak, trough

Evaluate:

• 
Therapeutic response: decreased dysrhythmias

Teach patient/family:

• 
To change position slowly from lying or sitting to standing to minimize orthostatic hypotension

• 
To take as prescribed; not to skip or double dose

• 
To avoid hazardous activities that require alertness until response is known

• 
To carry emergency ID with disorder, medications taken

• 
To notify all health care providers of treatment

• 
To report new or worsening cardiac symptoms

TREATMENT OF OVERDOSE:

O
2
, artificial ventilation, ECG, DOPamine for circulatory depression, diazepam or thiopental for seizures, treat ventricular dysrhythmias

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

Other books

Hybrid: Savannah by Ruth D. Kerce
A Home for Hannah by Patricia Davids
Alex & Clayton by John Simpson
Seduced by the Loan Shark by Rivera, Roxie
La perla by John Steinbeck
Breakfast in Stilettos by Liz Kingswood