Mosby's 2014 Nursing Drug Reference (20 page)

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

activated charcoal (
OTC
)

Actidose-Aqua, Actidose with Sorbitol, Charcoal Plus, Charcoal Plus DS, Charcocaps, EZ Char

Func. class.:
Antiflatulent; antidote

Do not confuse:
Actidose
/Actos

ACTION:

Binds poisons, toxins, irritants; increases adsorption in GI tract; inactivates toxins and binds until excreted

USES:

Poisoning, overdose

Unlabeled uses:
Diarrhea, flatulence

CONTRAINDICATIONS:

Hypersensitivity to this product, unconsciousness, semiconsciousness, cyanide poisoning, mineral acids, alkalis, gag reflex depression, ethanol intoxication, intestinal obstruction, absent bowel sounds

Precautions:
Pregnancy (C), hypersensitivity to quiNIDine, quiNINE

DOSAGE AND ROUTES
Calculator

Children should not get more than 1 dose of products that contain sorbitol

Poisoning

• 
Tabs/caps should not be used for poisonings

• Adult/adolescents: PO
(activated charcoal aqueous susp) 5-10 × estimated weight of drug/chemical ingested or 50-100 g dose, may repeat q4-6hr as needed; (activated charcoal with sorbitol susp) 50 g as a single dose, do not use multiple dosing

• Child: PO
(activated charcoal aqueous susp) 1-2 g/kg/dose or 25-50 g dose, may repeat as needed q4-6hr

• Infant: PO
(activated charcoal aqueous susp) 1 g/kg/dose, may repeat as needed q4-6hr

Diarrhea/flatulance (unlabeled)

• Adult: PO
(CharcoCaps) 520 mg (2 caps) after meals or prn, max 4.16 g (16 cap)/day

Available forms:
Powder 15, 25
, 30, 40, 120, 240 g/container; oral susp 12.5 g/60 ml, 15 g/72 ml, 15 g/120 ml, 25 g/120 ml, 30 g/120 ml, 50 g/240 ml; 15 g/120 ml
, 25 g/125 ml, 50 g/225 ml, 50 g/250 ml

Administer:

• 
Storage in tightly closed container to prevent absorption of gases

• 
Use stool softener or laxative to lessen constipation unless sorbitol has been given

PO route

• 
Give orally to those with intact gag reflexes, protected airways

• 
After inducing vomiting unless vomiting contraindicated (i.e., cyanide or alkalis)

• 
After mixing with water or fruit juice to form thick syrup; do not use dairy products, chocolate syrup to mix charcoal

• 
Repeat dose if vomiting occurs soon after dose; give with a laxative to promote elimination

• 
After spacing at least 2 hr before or after other products or absorption will be decreased

• 
Do not use tabs, caps to treat overdose

NG route

• 
Through nasogastric tube if patient unable to swallow

SIDE EFFECTS

GI:
Nausea, black stools
, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, abdominal pain

OTHER:
Pulmonary aspiration

PHARMACOKINETICS

PO:
Excreted in feces, not absorbed, excreted unchanged in feces

INTERACTIONS

• 
Inactivation of acetylcysteine

Decrease:
effects of acarbose, carBAMazepine, digoxin, ipecac, phenytoin, acetaminophen, barbiturates, furosemide, methotrexate, phenothiazine, salicylates, tricyclics; use for overdose

NURSING CONSIDERATIONS
Assess:

• 
Respiration, pulse, B/P to determine charcoal effectiveness if taken for barbiturate/opiate poisoning; intact gag reflex, serum

• 
Not used for all types of overdose

Evaluate:

• 
Therapeutic response: LOC alert (poisoning)

Teach patient/family:

• 
That stools will be black

• 
How to prevent further poisonings

• 
To drink 8 glasses of water to prevent constipation

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

acyclovir (Rx)

(ay-sye′kloe-veer)

Zovirax

Func. class.:
Antiviral

Chem. class.:
Purine nucleoside analog

Do not confuse:
Zovirax
/Zyvox/Valtrex/Zostrix

ACTION:

Interferes with DNA synthesis by conversion to acyclovir triphosphate, thereby causing decreased viral replication

USES:

Mucocutaneous herpes simplex virus, herpes genitalis (HSV-1, HSV-2), varicella infections, herpes zoster, herpes simplex encephalitis

Unlabeled uses:
Bell’s palsy, prevention of CMV, Epstein-Barr virus, esophagitis, hairy leukoplakia, prevention of herpes labialis, herpes simplex, herpes simplex ocular prophylaxis, keratoconjunctivitis, pharyngitis, pneumonitis, prevention of postherpetic neuralgia, proctitis, stomatitis, tracheobronchitis, varicella prophylaxis

CONTRAINDICATIONS:

Hypersensitivity to this product, valacyclovir

Precautions:
Pregnancy (B), breastfeeding, renal/hepatic/neurologic disease, electrolyte imbalance, dehydration, hypersensitivity to famciclovir, ganciclovir, penciclovir, valganciclovir

DOSAGE AND ROUTES
Calculator
Herpes simplex (recurrent)

• Adult: PO
400 mg 3 ×/day for 5 days or 200 mg 5 ×/day × 5 days

• Adult and child >12 yr: IV INF
5 mg/kg over 1 hr q8hr × 7 days, use ideal body weight for patients with obesity

• Infant >3 mo/child <12 yr: IV INF
10 mg/kg q8hr × 7 day; if HIV infected 5-10 mg/kg q8hr (moderate to severe)

• Neonate: IV INF
10 mg/kg q8hr × 10 days, may use higher dose

Genital herpes

• Adult: PO
200 mg q4hr (5 ×/day while awake) for 5 days to 6 mo depending on whether initial, recurrent, or chronic;
IV
5 mg/kg q8hr × 5 days

Genital herpes, initial limited, mucocutaneous HSV in immunocompromised patients, non-life-threatening

• Adult/child ≥12 yr:
top cover lesions q3hr 6 times/day

Herpes simplex encephalitis

•Adult: IV
10 mg/kg over 1 hr q8hr × 10 days

• Child 3 mo-12 yr: IV
20 mg/kg q8hr × 10 days

• Child birth-3 mo: IV
10 mg/kg q8hr × 10 days

Herpes labialis, recurrent

• Adult/child ≥12 yr:
top apply cream 5 ×/day for 4 days, start as soon as symptoms appear

Herpes zoster

• Adult: PO
800 mg q4hr while awake × 7-10 days;
IV
10 mg/kg q8hr × 7 days

Herpes zoster (shingles) immunocompromised patients

• Adult/adolescent: PO
800 mg q4hr 5×/day for 7-10 days;
IV
10 mg/kg q8hr × 7 days

• Child

12 yr: IV
10 mg/kg/dose q8hr × 7 days

• Infant/child <12 yr: IV
20 mg/kg/dose q8hr × 7-10 days

Herpes zoster (shingles) immunocompetent

• Adult: PO
800 mg q4hr 5×/day × 7-10 days; start within 48-72 hr of rash onset

Varicella (chickenpox) immunocompetent

• Adult/adolescent/child >40 kg: PO
800 mg 4×/day × 5 days

• Child ≥2 yr and ≤40 kg: PO
20 mg/kg/dose (max 800 mg) 4×/day × 5 days

Mucosal/cutaneous herpes simplex infections in immunosuppressed patients

• Adult and child
>
12 yr: IV
5 mg/kg q8hr × 7 days

• Infant >3 mo/child <12: IV
10 mg/kg q8hr × 7 days

Renal dose

• Adult and child: PO/IV
CCr >50 ml/min 100% dose q8hr, CCr 25-50 ml/min 100% dose q12hr, CCr 10-25 ml/min 100% dose q24hr, CCr 0-10 ml/min 50% dose q24hr

Recurrent ocular herpes, prevention (unlabeled)

• Adult/child ≥12 yr: PO
600-800 mg every day × 8-12 mo

CMV prophylaxis (unlabeled)

•Adult: IV
500 mg/m
2
q8hr

Herpes simplex in pneumonitis/esophagitis/tracheobronchitis/proctitis/stomatitis/pharyngitis (unlabeled)

• Adult and adolescent: IV
5-10 mg/kg q8hr × 2-7 days or
PO
200 mg q4hr 5×/day × 7-10 days or 400 mg 3-5 ×/day × ≥10 days

• Child 6 mo-12 yr: IV
1000 mg/day in 3-5 divided doses × 7-14 days

Herpes simplex prophylaxis for chronic suppression therapy (unlabeled)

• Adult and adolescent: PO
400 mg bid up to 12 mo

• Child: PO
800-1000 mg/day in 2-5 divided doses, max 80 mg/kg/day

Available forms:
Caps 200 mg; tabs 400, 800 mg; powder for inj 500, 1000 mg; sol for inj 50 mg/ml; oral susp 200 mg/5 ml; ointment/cream 5%

Administer:
PO route

• 
Do not break, crush, or chew caps

• 
May give without regard to meals, with 8 oz of water

• 
Shake susp before use

Intermittent IV INF route

• 
Increase fluids to 3 L/day to decrease crystalluria; most critical during first 2 hr after IV

• 
Reconstitute with 10 ml compatible sol/500 mg or 20 mg/1 g of product, conc of 50 mg/ml, shake, further dilute in 50-125 ml compatible sol; use within 12 hr; give over at least 1 hr (constant rate) by inf pump to prevent nephrotoxicity; do not reconstitute with sol containing benzyl alcohol in neonates

Topical route

• 
Use finger cot or glove to cover all lesions completely, do not get in eye, wash hands after use

Solution compatibilities:
D
5
W, LR, or NaCl (D
5
0.9% NaCl, 0.9% NaCl) sol

Y-site compatibilities:
Alemtuzumab, alfentanil, allopurinol, amikacin, aminophylline, amphotericin B cholesteryl, amphotericin B liposome, ampicillin, anidulafungin, argatroban, atracurium, bivalirudin, buprenorphine, busulfan, butorphanol, calcium chloride/gluconate, CARBOplatin, cefazolin, cefonicid, cefoperazone, cefotaxime, cefoxitin, ceftazidime, ceftizoxime, cefTRIAXone, cefuroxime, cephapirin, chloramphenicol, cholesteryl sulfate complex, cimetidine, clindamycin, dexamethasone sodium phosphate, dimenhyDRINATE, DOXOrubicin, doxycycline, erythromycin, famotidine, filgrastim, fluconazole, gallium, gentamicin, granisetron, heparin, hydrocortisone sodium succinate, hydromorphone, imipenem/cilastatin, LORazepam, magnesium sulfate, melphalan, methylPREDNISolone sodium succinate, metoclopramide, metroNIDAZOLE, multivitamin, nafcillin, oxacillin, paclitaxel, penicillin G potassium, PENTobarbital, perphenazine, piperacillin, potassium chloride, propofol, ranitidine, remifentanil, sodium bicarbonate, tacrolimus, teniposide, theophylline, thiotepa, ticarcillin, tobramycin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, vancomycin, vasopressin, voriconazole, zidovudine

SIDE EFFECTS

CNS:
Tremors, confusion, lethargy, hallucinations,
seizures,
dizziness, headache, encephalopathic changes

EENT:
Gingival hyperplasia

GI:
Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, increased ALT/AST, abdominal pain, glossitis, colitis

GU:
Oliguria, proteinuria, hematuria,
vaginitis, moniliasis,
glomerulonephritis, acute renal failure,
changes in menses, polydipsia

HEMA:
Thrombotic thrombocytopenia purpura, hemolytic uremic syndrome
(immunocompromised patients)

INTEG:
Rash, urticaria, pruritus, pain or phlebitis at IV site, unusual sweating, alopecia,
Stevens-Johnson syndrome

MS:
Joint pain, leg pain, muscle cramps

PHARMACOKINETICS

Distributed widely; crosses placenta; CSF concentrations are 50% plasma; protein binding 9%-33%

PO:
Absorbed minimally, onset unknown, peak 1.5-2 hr, terminal half-life 2.5-3.3 hr

IV:
Onset immediate, peak immediate, duration unknown, half-life 20 min-3 hr (terminal); metabolized by liver, excreted by kidneys as unchanged product (95%)

INTERACTIONS

Increase:
CNS side effects; zidovudine

Increase:
levels, toxicity—probenecid

Increase:
nephrotoxicity—aminoglycosides

Increase:
concentrations of—entecavir, pemetrexed, tenofovir

Decrease:
action of—hydantoins, valproic acid

Drug/Lab Test

Increase:
BUN, creatinine

NURSING CONSIDERATIONS
Assess:

• 
Signs of infection, anemia


 
Toxicity
: any patient with compromised renal system because product is excreted slowly with poor renal system function; toxicity may occur rapidly


 
Hepatic, renal studies: AST, ALT; urinalysis, protein, BUN, creatinine, CCr, watch for increasing BUN and serum creatinine or decreased CCr; I&O ratio; report hematuria, oliguria, fatigue, weakness; may indicate
nephrotoxicity;
check for protein in urine during treatment

• 
Bowel pattern before, during treatment; if severe abdominal pain with bleeding occurs, product should be discontinued

• 
Skin eruptions: rash, urticaria, itching

• 
Allergies before treatment, reaction of each medication; place allergies on chart in bright red letters

• 
Neurologic status with herpes encephalitis

Perform/provide:

• 
Storage at room temp for up to 12 hr after reconstitution; if refrigerated, sol may show a precipitate that clears at room temp; yellow discoloration does not affect potency

• 
Adequate intake of fluids (2 L) to prevent deposits in kidneys, more likely to occur with rapid administration or in dehydration

Evaluate:

• 
Therapeutic response: absence of itching, painful lesions; crusting and healed lesions; decreased symptoms of chickenpox; healing, decreased pain with herpes zoster

Teach patient/family:

• 
To take as prescribed; if dose is missed, take as soon as remembered up to 1 hr before next dose; do not double dose

• 
That product may be taken orally before infection occurs; product should be taken when itching or pain occurs, usually before eruptions

• 
That sexual partners need to be told that patient has herpes because they can become infected; condoms must be worn to prevent reinfections

• 
Not to touch lesions to avoid spreading infection to new sites

• 
That product does not cure infection, just controls symptoms and does not prevent infecting others

• 
That product must be taken in equal intervals around the clock to maintain blood levels for duration of therapy

• 
To seek dental care during treatment to prevent gingival hyperplasia

• 
That women with genital herpes are more likely to develop cervical cancer; to keep all gynecologic appointments

TREATMENT OF OVERDOSE:

Discontinue product, hemodialysis, resuscitate if needed

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