Mosby's 2014 Nursing Drug Reference (253 page)

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

mecasermin (Rx)

(mec-a′sir-men)

Increlex

Func. class.:
Biologic response modifier; insulin-like growth factor

ACTION:

Stimulates growth; IGF-1 is the principal hormonal mediator of statural growth; GH binds to its receptor in the liver and other tissues

USES:

Growth failure in children with severe primary insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) deficiency (primary IGFD) or with growth hormone (GH) gene deletion who have developed neutralizing antibodies to GH

Unlabeled uses:
ALS

CONTRAINDICATIONS:

Hypersensitivity, benzyl alcohol, closed epiphyses, active/suspected neoplasia, IV use

Precautions:
Pregnancy (C), breastfeeding, children <2 yr, diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism, lymphoid tissue hypertrophy, increased intracranial pressure, malnutrition, scoliosis, sleep apnea

DOSAGE AND ROUTES
Calculator

• Child ≥2 yr:
SUBCUT
0.04-0.08 mg/kg (40-80 mcg/kg) bid; if well tolerated for 1 wk, may increase by 0.04 mg/kg/dose, max 0.12 mg/kg bid

Available forms:
Inj 10 mg/ml

Administer:
SUBCUT route

• 
Give within 20 min of meal or snack, do not give if unable to eat or if vomiting

• 
Rotate inj site; use sterile, disposable syringe/needles; use small-volume syringe for accurate measurement; if using syringe (units), convert to mg/kg (weight [kg] × dose [mg/kg] × 1 ml/mg × 100 units/1 ml = units/injection)

• 
Do not double dose if a dose is missed

SIDE EFFECTS

CNS:
Headache,
seizures,
dizziness, cardiac valvulopathy,
increased intracranial pressure

CV:
Cardiac murmur

EENT:
Ear pain, otitis media, abnormal tympanometry, papilledema, visual impairment, tonsillar hypertrophy

ENDO:
Hypoglycemia, ketosis, hypothyroidism, hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia

INTEG:
Pruritus, urticaria,
anaphylaxis, angioedema

GI:
Vomiting, nausea

HEMA:
Thymus hypertrophy

MISC:
Bruising, lipohypertrophy, inj site reaction

MS:
Arthralgia, joint pain, slipped upper femoral epiphysis

RESP:
Snoring,
apnea

SYST:
Antibodies to growth hormone, secondary malignancy

PHARMACOKINETICS

Bioavailability almost 100%, metabolized in liver/kidney, half-life 5.8 hr

INTERACTIONS

Increase:
hypoglycemia—antidiabetics, corticosteroids

Decrease:
growth suppression possible—psychostimulants

NURSING CONSIDERATIONS
Assess:

• 
Monitor preprandial glucose at beginning of treatment and until well tolerated

• 
By funduscopic exam at beginning and periodically during treatment

• 
Allergic reactions;
if present, interrupt treatment and notify prescriber

• 
Growth rate of child at intervals during treatment

• 
Serious skin disorders:
angioedema, anaphylaxis

Perform/provide:

• 
Storage in refrigerator before opening, avoid freezing; after opening, stable for 30 days after initial vial entry, store in refrigerator; do not use if particulate matter is present, avoid direct light, do not use after expiration date

Evaluate:

• 
Therapeutic response: growth in children

Teach patient/family:

• 
That treatment may continue for years; that regular assessments are required

• 
To avoid hazardous activities, driving within 2-3 hr of dosing

• 
About correct administration, needle disposal

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

meclizine (
OTC
, Rx)

(mek′li-zeen)

Antivert, Bonamine
, Bonine, Dramamine Less Drowsy Formula, Medivert, Travel Sickness, Wal-Dram II

Func. class.:
Antiemetic, antihistamine, anticholinergic

Chem. class.:
H
1
-receptor antagonist, piperazine derivative

ACTION:

Acts centrally by blocking chemoreceptor trigger zone, which in turn acts on vomiting center

USES:

Vertigo, motion sickness

CONTRAINDICATIONS:

Hypersensitivity to cyclizines

Precautions:
Pregnancy (B), breastfeeding, children, geriatric patients, closed-angle glaucoma, prostatic hypertrophy, hepatic/renal disease

DOSAGE AND ROUTES
Calculator
Vertigo

• Adult/adolescent:
PO
25-100 mg/day in divided doses

Motion sickness

• Adult/adolescent:
PO
25-50 mg 1 hr before traveling, repeat dose q24hr prn

Available forms:
Tabs 12.5, 25, 50 mg; chew tabs 25 mg; caps 25, 30 mg

Administer:
PO route

• 
May give without regard to food

• 
Chew tab:
give without regard to water or may be swallowed whole with water

• 
Lowest possible dose for geriatric patients; anticholinergic effects

SIDE EFFECTS

CNS:
Drowsiness
, fatigue, restlessness, headache, insomnia

CV:
Hypotension

EENT:
Dry mouth, blurred vision

GI:
Nausea, anorexia, constipation, increased appetite

GU:
Urinary retention

SYST:
Anaphylaxis

PHARMACOKINETICS

PO:
Onset 1 hr, duration 8-24 hr, half-life 6 hr

INTERACTIONS

Increase:
sedation—CYP2D6, inhibitors

Increase:
anticholinergic effects—other antihistamines, atropine, antidepressants, phenothiazines

Increase:
effect of alcohol, opioids, other CNS depressants

Drug/Lab Test

False negative:
allergy skin testing (allergen extracts)

NURSING CONSIDERATIONS
Assess:

• 
Vertigo/motion sickness:
nausea, vomiting after 1 hr; assess vertigo periodically

 
Signs of toxicity of other products, masking of symptoms of disease: brain tumor, intestinal obstruction

• 
Observe for drowsiness, dizziness, level of consciousness

Evaluate:

• 
Therapeutic response: absence of dizziness, vomiting

Teach patient/family:

• 
That a false-negative result may occur with skin testing for allergies; that these procedures should not be scheduled for ≤4 days after discontinuing use

• 
To avoid hazardous activities, activities requiring alertness because dizziness may occur; to request assistance with ambulation

• 
To avoid alcohol, other depressants; not to breastfeed

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