Mosby's 2014 Nursing Drug Reference (89 page)

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

cetuximab (Rx)

(se-tux′i-mab)

Erbitux

Func. class.:
Antineoplastic—miscellaneous, monoclonal antibody

Chem. class.:
Epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor

ACTION:

Not fully understood; binds to epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFRs); inhibits phosphorylation and activation of receptor-associated kinase, thereby resulting in inhibition of cell growth

USES:

Alone or in combination with irinotecan for EGFRs expressing metastatic colorectal carcinoma, head/neck cancer

Unlabeled uses:
Front-line use for non–small-cell lung cancer in combination with CISplatin and vinorelbine

CONTRAINDICATIONS:

Hypersensitivity to this product, murine proteins

Precautions:
Pregnancy (C), breastfeeding, children, geriatric patients; CV/renal/hepatic disease; ocular, pulmonary disorders

 

Black Box Warning:

Arrhythmias, CAD, infusion-related reactions, radiation, cardiac, respiratory arrest

DOSAGE AND ROUTES
Calculator

• Adult:
IV INF
400 mg/m
2
loading dose given over 120 min, max inf rate 5 ml/min; weekly maintenance dose (all other inf) is 250 mg/m
2
given over 60 min, max inf rate 5 ml/min (10 mg/min); premedicate with an H
1
-antagonist (diphenhydrAMINE 50 mg IV); dosage adjustments made for inf reactions or dermatologic toxicity; other protocols used

Non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) (unlabeled)

• Adult:
IV
400 mg/m
2
over 120 min (max 5 ml/min) week 1 with weekly inf of 250 mg/m
2
over 60 min (max 5 ml/min) with CISplatin 80 mg/m
2
on day 1 and vinorelbine 25 mg/m
2
on days 1, 8

Available forms:
Sol for inj 100 mg/50 ml, 200 mg/100 ml

Administer:
Intermittent IV INF route

• 
Use cytoxic handling procedures

• 
By IV inf only; do not give by IV push or bolus; do not shake or dilute

• 
Do not dilute with other products

• 
Storage refrigerated at 36° F-46° F, discard unused portions

• 
Inf pump:
draw up volume of vial using appropriate syringe/needle (vented spike or other appropriate transfer device); fill Erbitux into sterile evacuated container/bag, repeat until calculated volume put into the container; use new needle for each vial; give through in-line filter (low protein binding 0.22 micrometer); affix inf line and prime before starting inf, max rate 5 ml/min; flush line at end of inf with 0.9% NaCl, use a low protein binding 0.22-micrometer in-line filter

• 
Syringe pump:
draw up volume of vial using appropriate syringe/needle (vented spike); place syringe into syringe driver of syringe pump and set rate; use in-line filter (low protein binding 0.22-micrometer); connect inf line, start inf after priming; repeat until calculated volume given

• 
Use new needle and filter for each vial, max 5 ml/min rate; use 0.9% NaCl to flush line after inf

• 
Do not piggyback to patient inf line

• 
Observe patient for adverse reactions for 1 hr after inf

 

Black Box Warning:

Inf reactions: if mild (grade 1 or 2), reduce all doses by 50%; if severe (grade 3 or 4), permanently discontinue

SIDE EFFECTS

CNS:
Headache, insomnia, depression
,
aseptic meningitis

CV:
Cardiac arrest

GI:
Nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, anorexia, mouth ulceration, dehydration, constipation, abdominal pain

HEMA:
Leukopenia, anemia

INTEG:
Rash, pruritus, acne, dry skin,
toxic epidermal necrolysis, angioedema,
blepharitis, cheilitis, cellulitis, cysts, alopecia, skin/nail disorder
,
acute infusion reactions, other skin toxicities

MISC:
Conjunctivitis, asthma, malaise, fever
,
renal failure,
hypomagnesemia

MS:
Back pain

RESP:
Interstitial lung disease,
cough, dyspnea
,
pulmonary embolus,
peripheral edema
,
respiratory arrest

SYST:
Anaphylaxis, sepsis, infection

PHARMACOKINETICS

Half-life 114 hr, steady state by 3rd wkly inf, peak 168-235 g/ml, trough 41-85 g/ml

INTERACTIONS
Drug/Lab:

Increase:
LFTs

NURSING CONSIDERATIONS
Assess:

 

Black Box Warning:

Pulmonary changes:
lung sounds, cough, dyspnea; interstitial lung disease may occur, may be fatal; discontinue therapy if confirmed

• 
Cardiac arrest: monitor electrolytes, in those undergoing radiation therapy, electrolytes may be decreased

 
Serious hypersensitivity reactions:
toxic epidermal necrosis, angioedema, anaphylaxis

• 
GI symptoms: frequency of stools, dehydration, abdominal pain, stomatitis

• 
K-RAS mutations
with metastatic colorectal carcinoma; if K-RAS mutation on codon 12 or 13 detected, patient should not receive anti-EGFR antibody therapy

Evaluate:

• 
Therapeutic response: decreased growth, spread of EGFR-expressing metastatic colorectal, head/neck carcinoma

Teach patient/family:

 

Black Box Warning:

To report adverse reactions immediately: shortness of breath, severe abdominal pain, skin eruptions

• 
About the reason for treatment, expected results

 

Black Box Warning:

To use contraception during treatment (pregnancy [C]), not to breastfeed

• 
To wear sunscreen and hats to limit sun exposure; sun exposure can exacerbate any skin reactions

• 
To avoid crowds, persons with known infections

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

chlordiazePOXIDE (Rx)

(klor-dye-az-e-pox′ide)

Librium

Func. class.:
Antianxiety

Chem. class.:
Benzodiazepine, long-acting

 

Controlled Substance Schedule IV

Do not confuse:
Librium
/Librax

ACTION:

Potentiates the actions of GABA, especially in the limbic system, reticular formation

USES:

Short-term management of anxiety, acute alcohol withdrawal, preoperatively for relaxation

CONTRAINDICATIONS:

Pregnancy (D), breastfeeding, children <6 yr, hypersensitivity to benzodiazepines, closed-angle glaucoma, psychosis

Precautions:
Geriatric patients, debilitated, renal/hepatic disease, suicidal ideation, abrupt discontinuation

DOSAGE AND ROUTES
Calculator
Mild anxiety

• Adult:
PO
5-10 mg tid-qid

• Geriatric:
PO
5 mg bid initially, increase as needed

• Child >6 yr:
PO
5 mg bid-qid, max 10 mg bid-tid

Severe anxiety

• Adult:
PO
25-50 mg tid-qid

Preoperatively

• Adult:
PO
5-10 mg tid-qid on day before surgery

Alcohol withdrawal

• Adult:
PO
50-100 mg q4-6hr prn, max 300 mg/day

Renal disease

• Adult:
PO
CCr <10 ml/min, give 50% dose

Available forms:
Caps 5, 10, 25 mg

Administer:
PO route

• 
With food or milk for GI symptoms

SIDE EFFECTS

CNS:
Dizziness, drowsiness
, confusion, headache, anxiety, tremors, stimulation, fatigue, depression, insomnia, hallucinations

CV:
Orthostatic hypotension
, edema,
ECG changes, tachycardia,
hypotension

EENT:
Blurred vision
, tinnitus, mydriasis

GI:
Constipation, dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, anorexia, diarrhea

GU:
Irregular periods, decreased libido

HEMA:
Agranulocytosis

INTEG:
Rash, dermatitis, itching

PHARMACOKINETICS

PO:
Onset 30 min, peak within 2 hr, duration 4-6 hr, metabolized by liver, excreted by kidneys, crosses placenta, excreted in breast milk, half-life 5-30 hr (increased in geriatric patients)

INTERACTIONS

Increase:
CNS depression—CNS depressants, alcohol

Increase:
chlordiazePOXIDE—cimetidine, disulfiram, FLUoxetine, isoniazid, ketoconazole, metoprolol, oral contraceptives, propranolol, valproic acid

Decrease:
action of levodopa

Decrease:
action of chlordiazePOXIDE—CYP3A4 inhibitors (protease inhibitors, barbiturates, rifamycins)

Drug/Lab Test

Increase:
LFTs

False increase:
17-OHCS

False positive:
pregnancy test (some methods)

NURSING CONSIDERATIONS
Assess:

• 
B/P (lying, standing), pulse; if systolic B/P drops 20 mm Hg, hold product, notify prescriber

• 
Blood studies: CBC during long-term therapy;
blood dyscrasias
have occurred rarely

• 
Hepatic studies: AST, ALT, bilirubin, creatinine, LDH, alk phos during long-term therapy

• 
For ataxia, oversedation of geriatric patients, debilitated patients

• 
Physical dependency, withdrawal symptoms: headache, nausea, vomiting, muscle pain, weakness after long-term use

• 
Mental status: mood, sensorium, affect, sleeping pattern, drowsiness, dizziness; suicidal tendencies; paradoxic reactions such as excitement, stimulation, acute rage

• 
For pregnancy; product should not be used during pregnancy (D)

Perform/provide:

• 
Assistance with ambulation during beginning therapy because drowsiness, dizziness occur

• 
Check to confirm that PO medication has been swallowed if patient is depressed, suicidal

• 
Sugarless gum, hard candy, frequent sips of water for dry mouth

Evaluate:

• 
Therapeutic response: decreased anxiety, restlessness, sleeplessness

Teach patient/family:

• 
That product may be taken with food

• 
Not to use product for everyday stress or use for more than 4 mo unless directed by prescriber

• 
Not to take more than prescribed amount; may be habit forming

• 
To avoid OTC preparations unless approved by prescriber

• 
To avoid driving, activities that require alertness because drowsiness may occur

• 
To avoid alcohol ingestion, other psychotropic medications unless directed by prescriber

• 
Not to discontinue medication abruptly after long-term use because this may precipitate seizures

• 
To rise slowly because fainting may occur, especially among geriatric patients

• 
That drowsiness may be worse at beginning of treatment

• 
To notify prescriber if pregnancy is suspected or planned

• 
To immediately report suicidal thoughts/behaviors

TREATMENT OF OVERDOSE:

Lavage, VS, supportive care, give flumazenil

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