Mosby's 2014 Nursing Drug Reference (24 page)

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

alendronate (Rx)

(al-en-drone′ate)

Binosto, Fosamax, Fosamax plus D

Func. class.:
Bone-resorption inhibitor

Chem. class.:
Bisphosphonate

Do not confuse:
Fosamax
/Flomax

ACTION:

Decreases rate of bone resorption and may directly block dissolution of hydroxyapatite crystals of bone, inhibits osteoclast activity

USES:

Treatment and prevention of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women, treatment of osteoporosis in men, Paget’s disease, treatment of corticosteroid-induced osteoporosis in postmenopausal women not receiving estrogen and in men who are on continuing corticosteroid treatment with low bone mass

CONTRAINDICATIONS:

Hypersensitivity to bisphosphonates, delayed esophageal emptying, inability to sit or stand for 30 min, hypocalcemia

Precautions:
Pregnancy (C), breastfeeding, children, CCr <35 ml/min, esophageal disease, ulcers, gastritis, poor dental health, increased esophageal cancer risk

DOSAGE AND ROUTES
Calculator
Osteoporosis in postmenopausal women

• Adult and geriatic: PO
10 mg/day or 70 mg/wk

Osteoporosis in men

• Adult: PO
10 mg/day or 70 mg/wk

Paget’s disease

• Adult and geriatric: PO
40 mg/day × 6 mo, consider retreatment for relapse

Prevention of osteoporosis

• Adult/postmenopausal female: PO
5 mg/day or 35 mg/wk

Corticosteroid-induced osteoporosis in postmenopausal women (not receiving estrogen)

• Adult: PO
10 mg/day

Corticosteroid-induced osteoporosis in men or premenopausal women

• Adult: PO
5 mg/day

Renal dose

• Adult: PO
CCr ≤35 ml/min, not recommended

Available forms:
Tabs 5, 10, 35, 40, 70 mg; tabs 70 mg with 2800 IU vit D
3
, 70 mg with 5600 IU Vit D
3
; oral sol 70 mg/75 ml, effervescent tab 70 mg

Administer:

• 
For 6 months to be effective for Paget’s disease

• 
Tablet:
take with 8 oz of water 30 min before 1st food, beverage, or medication of the day

• 
Do not lie down for ≥30 min after dose, do not take at bedtime or before rising

• 
Liquid:
use oral syringe or calibrated device; give in
AM
with ≥2 oz of water ≥30 min before food, beverage, or medication

SIDE EFFECTS

CNS:
Headache

GI:
Abdominal pain, constipation, nausea, vomiting, esophageal ulceration, acid reflux, dyspepsia,
esophageal perforation,
diarrhea,
esophageal cancer

META:
Hypophosphatemia, hypocalcemia

MS:
Bone pain, osteonecrosis of the jaw, bone fractures

SYST:
Angioedema, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis

PHARMACOKINETICS

Bioavailability 60%, protein binding 78%, rapidly cleared from circulation, taken up mainly by bones, eliminated primarily through kidneys; bound to bone, half-life >10 yr

INTERACTIONS

Increase:
GI adverse reactions—NSAIDs, salicylates, H
2
blockers, proton pump inhibitors, gastric mucosal agents

Decrease:
absorption—antacids, calcium supplements, aminoglycosides

Drug/Food

Decrease:
absorption when used with caffeine, orange juice, food

Drug/Lab Test

Decrease:
calcium, phosphate

NURSING CONSIDERATIONS
Assess:

 
Serious reactions: angioedema, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, atrial fibrillation

• 
Hormonal status if a woman, before treatment

• 
For osteoporosis:
bone density test before and during treatment

• 
For Paget’s disease:
increased skull size, bone pain, headache; decreased vision, hearing

• 
Electrolytes; BUN/creatinine; calcium, phosphorous, magnesium, potassium

• 
For hypercalcemia:
paresthesia, twitching, laryngospasm; Chvostek’s, Trousseau’s signs

• 
Alk phos levels, baseline and periodically, 2 × upper limit of normal is indicative of Paget’s disease

• 
Dental status: regular dental exams should be performed; dental extractions (cover with antiinfectives before procedure)

Perform/provide:

• 
Storage in cool environment, out of direct sunlight

Evaluate:

• 
Therapeutic response: increased bone mass, absence of fractures

Teach patient/family:

• 
To remain upright for 30 min after dose to prevent esophageal irritation; if dose is missed, skip dose, do not double doses or take later in day; to take in
AM
before food, other meds; to take with 6-8 oz of water only (no mineral water)

• 
To take calcium, vit D if instructed by health care provider

• 
To perform weight-bearing exercise to increase bone density

• 
To let health care provider know if pregnant or if pregnancy is planned or if breastfeeding; to inform dentist of the use of this product

• 
To maintain good oral hygiene

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

alfuzosin (Rx)

(al-fyoo′zoe-sin)

Uroxatral

Func. class.:
Urinary tract, antispasmodic, α
1
-agonist

Chem. class.:
Quinazolone

ACTION:

Binds to α
1A
-adrenoceptor subtype located mainly in the prostate, relaxing smooth muscles

USES:

Symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia

Unlabeled uses:
Lower urinary tract symptoms, erectile dysfunction with sildenafil

CONTRAINDICATIONS:

Hypersensitivity, moderate to severe hepatic impairment; not indicated for use in women or children, breastfeeding

Precautions:
Pregnancy (B) but not used in females, geriatric patients; CAD, coronary insufficiency, mild hepatic disease, mild/moderate/severe renal disease, history of QT prolongation or coadministration with meds known to prolong QT interval, torsades de pointes, syncope, surgery, prostate cancer, orthostatic hypotension, ocular surgery, dysrhythmias, angina

DOSAGE AND ROUTES
Calculator

• Adult: PO EXT REL
10 mg/day, taken after same meal each day

Available forms:
Ext rel tabs 10 mg

Administer:
PO route

• 
Do not break, crush, chew tabs; give with food; take at same time each day

SIDE EFFECTS

CNS:
Dizziness, headache
, fatigue, flushing

CV:
Postural hypotension (dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting) within a few hours of administration, chest pain, tachycardia, angina

GI:
Nausea, abdominal pain, dyspepsia, constipation, diarrhea, liver injury, jaundice

INTEG:
Rash, urticaria,
angioedema,
pruritus

GU:
Impotence, priapism

MISC:
Body pain in general, xerostomia, rhinitis

RESP:
Upper respiratory infection, pharyngitis, bronchitis, sinusitis

PHARMACOKINETICS

Peak 8 hr, elimination half-life 10 hr, extensively metabolized in liver by CYP3A4 enzyme, excreted via urine (11% unchanged), moderately protein binding (82%-90%)

INTERACTIONS

• 
Not to be taken with prazosin, terazosin, doxazosin

Increase:
QT prolongation (slight)—class IA/III antidysrhythmics

Increase:
effects of alfuzosin—alcohol

Increase:
effects—CYP3A4 inhibitors (ketoconazole, itraconazole, and ritonavir); do not use together

Increase:
hypotension—β-blockers, phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors, nitrates

NURSING CONSIDERATIONS
Assess:

• 
Prostatic hyperplasia:
change in urinary patterns (hesitancy, dribbling, dysuria, urgency), baseline and throughout treatment


 
Serious skin reactions:
angioedema

Perform/provide:

• 
Storage in tight container in cool environment

Evaluate:

• 
Therapeutic response: decreased
symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia

Teach patient/family:

• 
To take at same time each day with food; to not double doses

• 
Not to drive or operate machinery for 4 hr after 1st dose or after dosage increase, dizziness may occur

• 
About orthostatic hypotension; to rise slowly from sitting or lying

• 
To avoid all OTC products unless approved by prescriber

• 
To notify prescriber of fainting, dizziness

• 
That erectile dysfunction is a side effect and is temporary

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

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