Mosby's 2014 Nursing Drug Reference (226 page)

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

RARELY USED
isotretinoin (Rx)

(eye-soe-tret′i-noyn)

Amnesteem, Claravis, Sotret

Func. class.:
Antiacne agent, retinoid

USES:

Severe recalcitrant nodulocystic acne

CONTRAINDICATIONS:

Hypersensitivity, inflamed skin

 

Black Box Warning:

Pregnancy (X)

DOSAGE AND ROUTES
Calculator

• Adult: PO
0.5-2 mg/kg/day in 2 divided doses × 15-20 wk; if relapse occurs, repeat after 2 mo off product

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

itraconazole (Rx)

(it-ra-con′a-zol)

Sporanox

Func. class.:
Antifungal, systemic

Chem. class.:
Triazole derivative

ACTION:

Alters cell membranes; inhibits several fungal enzymes

USES:

Histoplasmosis, blastomycosis (pulmonary and extrapulmonary), aspergillosis, onychomycosis of toenail/fingernail

Unlabeled uses:
Dermatomycosis, histoplasmosis, chromoblastomycosis, coccidioidomycosis, pityriasis versicolor, sebopsoriasis, vaginal candidiasis, cryptococcus, subcutaneous mycoses, dimorphic infections, fungal keratitis, zygomycosis, superficial mycoses (dermatophytoses), chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis

CONTRAINDICATIONS:

Hypersensitivity, fungal meningitis; onychomycosis or dermatomycosis with cardiac dysfunction, in pregnant women

 

Black Box Warning:

Heart failure, ventricular dysfunction, coadministration with other products

Precautions:
Pregnancy (C), breastfeeding, children, cardiac/renal/hepatic disease, achlorhydria or hypochlorhydria (product-induced), dialysis

DOSAGE AND ROUTES
Calculator

Dose varies with type of infection

• Adult: PO
200 mg/day with food; may increase to 400 mg/day if needed; life-threatening infections may require a loading dose of 200 mg tid × 3 days

• Child: PO
3-5 mg/kg/day

Available forms:
Caps 100 mg; oral sol 10 mg/ml

Administer:

• 
In the presence of acid products only; do not use alkaline products, antacids within 2 hr of product; may give coffee, tea, acidic fruit juices

PO route

• 
Swallow caps whole; do not break, crush, or chew caps

• 
Give caps after full meal to ensure absorption

• 
Oral sol: patient should swish in mouth vigorously, use on empty stomach

• 
Oral sol and caps are not interchangeable on mg/mg basis

SIDE EFFECTS

CNS:
Headache, dizziness
, insomnia, somnolence, depression

CV:
Hypertension

GI:
Nausea, vomiting, anorexia, diarrhea
, cramps, abdominal pain, flatulence,
GI bleeding, hepatotoxicity

GU:
Gynecomastia, impotence, decreased libido

INTEG:
Pruritus
, fever,
rash
,
toxic epidermal necrolysis

MISC:
Edema, fatigue
, malaise, hypokalemia, tinnitus,
rhabdomyolysis

PHARMACOKINETICS

PO:
Peak 3-5 hr; half-life 21 hr, IV 35.4 hr; metabolized in liver; excreted in bile, feces, urine 40%; requires acid pH for absorption; distributed poorly to CSF; 99.8% protein bound; inhibits CYP4503A4

INTERACTIONS

 
Life-threatening CV reactions: pimozide, quiNIDine, dofetilide, levomethadyl

Increase:
tinnitus, hearing loss—quiNIDine

Increase:
hepatotoxicity—other hepatotoxic products

Increase:
edema—calcium channel blockers

Increase:
severe hypoglycemia—oral hypoglycemics

Increase:
sedation—ALPRAZolam, clorazepate, diazepam, estazolam, flurazepam, triazolam, oral midazolam

Increase:
levels, toxicity—busPIRone, busulfan, clarithromycin, cycloSPORINE, diazepam, digoxin, felodipine, fentaNYL, atorvastatin, carBAMazepine, disopyramide, indinavir, isradipine, niCARdipine, niFEDipine, niMODipine, phenytoin, quiNIDine, QUEtiapine, ritonavir, saquinavir, tacrolimus, warfarin

Decrease:
itraconazole action—antacids, H
2
-receptor antagonists, rifamycins, didanosine, carBAMazepine, isoniazid, proton pump inhibitors

Drug/Food

• 
Food increases absorption

• 
Grapefruit juice decreases itraconazole level

NURSING CONSIDERATIONS
Assess:

• 
CHF:
if present, discontinue product

• 
Type of infection; may begin treatment prior to obtaining results

• 
Infection:
temp, WBC, sputum at baseline and periodically

• 
I&O ratio, potassium levels

• 
Hepatic studies (ALT, AST, bilirubin) if patient receiving long-term therapy

• 
Allergic reaction: rash, photosensitivity, urticaria, dermatitis

 
Hepatotoxicity:
nausea, vomiting, jaundice, clay-colored stools, fatigue

Perform/provide:

• 
Storage in tight container at room temp, do not freeze

Evaluate:

• 
Therapeutic response: decreased fever, malaise, rash, negative C&S for infecting organism

Teach patient/family:

• 
That long-term therapy may be needed to clear infection (1 wk-6 mo, depending on infection)

• 
To avoid hazardous activities if dizziness occurs

• 
To take 2 hr before administration of other products that increase gastric pH (antacids, H
2
-blockers, omeprazole, sucralfate, anticholinergics); to avoid grapefruit juice; to notify health care provider of all medications taken; to take after a full meal (caps) or on empty stomach (oral sol)

• 
About the importance of compliance with product regimen; to use alternative methods of contraception


 
To notify prescriber of GI symptoms; signs of hepatic dysfunction (fatigue, jaundice, nausea, anorexia, vomiting, dark urine, pale stools); heart failure (trouble breathing, unusual weight gain, fatigue, swelling); hearing changes

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

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