Mosby's 2014 Nursing Drug Reference (248 page)

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

losartan

(lo-zar′tan)

Cozaar

Func. class.:
Antihypertensive

Chem. class.:
Angiotensin II receptor (type AT
1
) antagonist

Do not confuse:
losartan
/valsartan
Cozaar
/Zocor

ACTION:

Blocks the vasoconstrictor and aldosterone-secreting effects of angiotensin II; selectively blocks the binding of angiotensin II to the AT
1
receptor found in tissues

USES:

Hypertension, alone or in combination; nephropathy in type 2 diabetes; proteinuria; stroke prophylaxis for hypertensive patients with left ventricular hypertrophy

CONTRAINDICATIONS:

Hypersensitivity

 

Black Box Warning:

Pregnancy (D) 2nd/3rd trimesters

Precautions:
Pregnancy (C) 1st trimester, breastfeeding, children, geriatric patients; hypersensitivity to ACE inhibitors; hepatic disease, angioedema, renal artery stenosis, those of African American descent

DOSAGE AND ROUTES
Calculator
Hypertension

• Adult:
PO
50 mg/day alone or 25 mg/day in combination with diuretic; maintenance 25-100 mg/day

• Child ≥6 yr:
PO
0.7 mg/kg/day, max 50 mg/day

Hypertension with left ventricular hypertrophy (benefit does not apply to those of African american descent)

• Adult:
PO
50 mg/day; add hydrochlorothiazide 12.5 mg/day and/or increase losartan to 100 mg/day then increase hydrochlorothiazide to 25 mg/day

Nephropathy in type 2 diabetic patients/proteinuria

• Adult:
PO
50 mg/day, may increase to 100 mg/day

Hepatic dose

• Adult:
PO
25 mg/day as starting dose

Available forms:
Tabs 25, 50, 100 mg

Administer:

• 
Without regard to meals

SIDE EFFECTS

CNS:
Dizziness, insomnia
, anxiety, confusion, abnormal dreams, migraine, tremor, vertigo, headache, malaise, depression

CV:
Angina pectoris, 2nd-degree AV block,
cerebrovascular accident,
hypotension,
MI, dysrhythmias

EENT:
Blurred vision, burning eyes, conjunctivitis

GI:
Diarrhea, dyspepsia
, anorexia, constipation, dry mouth, flatulence, gastritis, vomiting

GU:
Impotence, nocturia, urinary frequency, UTI,
renal failure

HEMA:
Anemia,
thrombocytopenia

INTEG:
Alopecia, dermatitis, dry skin, flushing, photosensitivity, rash, pruritus, sweating,
angioedema

META:
Gout

MS:
Cramps, myalgia, pain, stiffness

RESP:
Cough, upper respiratory infection
, congestion, dyspnea, bronchitis

PHARMACOKINETICS

Peak 1-4 hr, extensively metabolized, half-life 2 hr, metabolite 6-9 hr, excreted in urine/feces, protein binding 98.7%

INTERACTIONS

Increase:
lithium toxicity—lithium

Increase:
antihypertensive effect—fluconazole

Increase:
hyperkalemia—potassium-sparing diuretics, potassium supplements, ACE inhibitors

Decrease:
antihypertensive effect—NSAIDs, PHENobarbital, rifamycin, salicylates

NURSING CONSIDERATIONS
Assess:

• 
B/P with position changes, pulse before and periodically during treatment; note rate, rhythm, quality

• 
Baselines of renal, hepatic studies before therapy begins and periodically thereafter

• 
Skin turgor, dryness of mucous membranes for hydration status

 
Angioedema: facial swelling, dyspnea, wheezing; may occur rapidly; tongue swelling (rare)

• 
CHF:
jugular venous distention; edema in feet/legs, weight daily

• 
Blood dyscrasias:
thrombocytopenia, anemia (rare)

 

Black Box Warning:

Pregnancy before starting treatment; pregnancy (D) 2nd/3rd trimester

Evaluate:

• 
Therapeutic response: decreased B/P, slowing diabetic neuropathy

Teach patient/family:

• 
To avoid sunlight or to wear sunscreen if in sunlight; that photosensitivity may occur

• 
To comply with dosage schedule, even if feeling better; not to discontinue abruptly

• 
To notify prescriber of mouth sores, fever, swelling of hands or feet, irregular heartbeat, chest pain

• 
That excessive perspiration, dehydration, vomiting, diarrhea may lead to fall in B/P; to consult prescriber if these occur

• 
That product may cause dizziness, fainting, lightheadedness

• 
To rise slowly to sitting or standing position to minimize orthostatic hypotension

 

Black Box Warning:

To use contraception while taking this product; pregnancy (D) 2nd/3rd trimesters

• 
To avoid salt substitutes, alcohol, grapefruit juice, OTC products unless approved by prescriber

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

loteprednol ophthalmic

 

lovastatin (Rx)

(loh-vah-stat′in)

Altoprev, Mevacor

Func. class.:
Antilipemic

Chem. class.:
HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor

Do not confuse:
lovastatin
/Lotensin/Leustatin
Mevacor
/mivacron

ACTION:

Inhibits HMG-CoA reductase enzyme, which reduces cholesterol synthesis

USES:

As an adjunct for primary hypercholesterolemia (types IIa, IIb), atherosclerosis; heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (adolescents)

CONTRAINDICATIONS:

Pregnancy (X), breastfeeding, hypersensitivity, active hepatic disease

Precautions:
Children, past hepatic disease, alcoholism, severe acute infections, trauma, hypotension, uncontrolled seizure disorders, severe metabolic disorders, electrolyte imbalances, visual disorder

DOSAGE AND ROUTES
Calculator

• Adult:
PO
20 mg/day with evening meal; may increase to 20-80 mg/day in single or divided doses, max 60 mg/day;
EXT REL
20-60 mg/day at bedtime, max 80 mg/day

Heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia

• Adolescent 10-17 yr:
PO
10-40 mg with evening meal

Renal dose

• Adult:
PO
CCr <30 mg/min, max 20 mg/day unless titrated

Available forms:
Tabs 10, 20, 40 mg; ext rel tab (Altocor) 10, 20, 40, 60 mg

Administer:

• 
In evening with meal; if dose is increased, take with breakfast and evening meal

• 
Altroprev not equivalent to Mevacor

• 
Do not crush, chew ext rel tab

SIDE EFFECTS

CNS:
Dizziness, headache, tremor
, insomnia, paresthesia

EENT:
Blurred vision
, lens opacities

GI:
Flatus, nausea, constipation, diarrhea, dyspepsia, abdominal pain, heartburn
,
hepatic dysfunction,
vomiting, acid regurgitation, dry mouth, dysgeusia

HEMA:
Thrombocytopenia, hemolytic anemia, leukopenia

INTEG:
Rash, pruritus
, photosensitivity

MS:
Muscle cramps, myalgia
,
myositis, rhabdomyolysis;
leg, shoulder, or localized pain

PHARMACOKINETICS

PO:
Peak 2 hr; peak response 4-6 wk, ext rel peak 14 hr; metabolized in liver (metabolites); highly protein bound; excreted in urine 10%, feces 83%; crosses blood-brain barrier, placenta; excreted in breast milk; half-life 1 hr

INTERACTIONS

Increase:
myalgia, myositis, rhabdomyolysis—azole antifungals, clarithromycin, clofibrate, cycloSPORINE, dalfopristin, danazol, diltiazem, erythromycin, gemfibrozil, niacin, protease inhibitors, quinupristin, telithromycin, verapamil, avoid concurrent use

Increase:
bleeding—warfarin

Increase:
lovastatin effects—diltiazem

Decrease:
effects of lovastatin—bile acid sequestrants, exonatide, bosentan

Drug/Herb

Decrease:
effect—pectin, St. John’s wort

Increase:
adverse reactions—red yeast rice

Drug/Food

• 
Possible toxicity: grapefruit juice

Increase:
levels of lovastatin with food; must be taken with food

Decrease:
absorption—oat bran

Drug/Lab Test

Increase:
CK, LFTs

NURSING CONSIDERATIONS
Assess:

• 
Diet;
obtain diet history including fat, cholesterol in diet

• 
Fasting cholesterol, LDL, HDL, triglycerides periodically during treatment

• 
Hepatic studies at initiation, 6 wk, 12 wk after initiation or change in dose, periodically thereafter; AST, ALT, LFTs may increase

• 
Renal function in patients with compromised renal system: BUN, creatinine, I&O ratio

Perform/provide:

• 
Storage in cool environment in airtight, light-resistant container

Evaluate:

• 
Therapeutic response: decreased triglycerides, sLDL, total cholesterol; increased HDL; slowing CAD

Teach patient/family:

• 
To report suspected pregnancy (pregnancy [X]); not to breastfeed

• 
That blood work, ophthalmic exam will be necessary during treatment

• 
To report blurred vision, severe GI symptoms, dizziness, headache, muscle pain, weakness

• 
To use sunscreen or to stay out of the sun to prevent photosensitivity

• 
That previously prescribed regimen will continue: low-cholesterol diet, exercise program, smoking cessation

• 
That product should be taken with food, not to crush, chew ext rel product

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