SVG COMMUNITY COLLEGE

DIVISION OF NURSING EDUCATION

Course: Pharmacology

Unit 4: Drug classifications

Topic: Abbreviations

Class: First Year RNS

Total: 63

Venue: Division of Nursing

Date: 20. 11.13

Goal: To assist students to classify drugs according to their effects on sel body systems

Theories: Repetition, reinforcement

Teaching methodology: Lecture

Teaching aids: Handout

Specific objective: Outline the action, usage, dosage, adverse effects, contraindications, effects in
pregnancy, nursing implications, client/family teaching & outcomes/evaluation for selected drug
classes.

Evaluation: Quiz

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 (Students are expected to read on the extensive drug details found in the texts).

DRUGS USES/ACTION ADVERSE/SIDE EFFECTS

INCLUDE
ANXIOLYTICS, Short term therapy is recommended due
SEDATIVES & to increased possibility of dependence.
HYPNOTICS
Alprazolam (Xanax) Anxiety, panic disorders, anxiety CNS depression; may impair ability
associated with depression to drive/operate machinery
Diazepam (Valium, APO – Anxiety, insomnia, muscle relaxant, acute Same as Alprazolam
Diazepam, Novodipam anticonvulsant therapy, abstinence
symptoms during alcohol withdrawal
Flumazenil Complete or partial reversal of may impair memory and judgment
benzodiazepine induced sedation when and the ability to drive/operate
benzodiazepines are used in anesthesia, machinery
intensive care, benzodiazepine
intoxication
Lorezapem (Ativan) Anxiety, insomnia CNS depression; may impair ability
to drive/operate machinery
Promethazine (Phenergan) Premedication, allergy, urticaria, Drowsiness; may impair the ability to
anaphylactic reactions, nausea, vomiting drive/operate machinery
PSYCHOTHERAPEUTIC
AGENTS
A. Anti – psycotics Acute psychosis characterized by *Sedation,postural hypotension.
delusions, hallucinations, thought * Extrapyramidal effects: rigidity,
Haloperidol, Risperidone disorder and disturbed behavior. These chorea, parkinsonism, dyskenesia
Chlorpromazine, symptoms are produced by acute and (rhythmic and involuntary facial
Fluphenazine, , , chronic schizophrenia, mania or psychotic movements)

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Trifluoperazine, depression * anticholinergic effects – dry mouth
Zuclopenthixol and skin, flushing, tachycardia

b. Antidepressants anticholinergic effects – dry mouth

Amitriptyline, Imipramine Moderate to severe endogenous and skin, flushing, tachycardia
and depression.
Fluoxetine
Hypotension, arrhythmias
c. Mood stabilizers Prophylaxis of manic depressive illness
Lithium Carbonate and acute mania. Blood levels must be
monitored

GASTROINTESTINAL
DRUGS
ANTACIDS
Aluminium hydroxide (Alu- Neutralize stomach acids. Constipation
Cap); Aluminium NB: liquid preparations are more
hydroxide/Magnesium effective than solids. Should be taken 1
hydroxide hour after meals since the duration of
action is shorter if taken on an empty
stomach.
LAXATIVES
Bisacodyl (Dulcolax); Constipation Bisacodyl may cause cramps and GI
Glycerine suppositories irritation

ANTIEMETICS
Dimenhydrinate (Dramamine, Prevent and treat nausea, vomiting, Drowsiness, dry mouth
Gravomine, Gravol) vertigo and motion sickness.
Prochlorperazine (Stemetil, Antiemetic Drowsiness, dizziness
Compazine)
GI Stimulants - Gastric stasis, normalize gastric Depression, drowsiness, dizziness,
Metoclopramide (Maxolon, emptying, gastric – esophageal reflux, extrapyramidal effects
Emperal) prevention of nausea and vomiting
Proton pump inhibitor - Peptic ulcer disease Nausea, vomiting, constipation
Omeprazole
H2 Antagonist - Ranitidine Prophylaxis and treatment of duodenal Headache, skin rash, malaise,
(Zantac) and gastric ulcer, reflux esophagitis insomnia
ANTIDOTES/METAL
ANTAGONISTS
Acetylcesteine (Mucomyst, Paracetamol overdose. Therapy should Vomiting, allergy
Parvolex) start within 12 – 15 hours of the
suspected time of ingestion.

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Activated charcoal Prevention of the absorption of poisons black stools, constipation, diarrhea,
e.g. drugs. Contraindicated in the vomiting.
ingestion of corrosives or petroleum
distillates (e.g. kerosene) as it may induce
emesis.
Desferrioxamine (Desferal) Iron poisoning Hypotension with IV route

Ipecac (Ipecacuanha) Induce vomiting in acute poisoning Drowsiness, protracted vomiting

Fuller’s earth Gramoxone poisoning

ANTI – INFLAMMATORY DRUGS

Corticosteroids: Suppression of inflammatory and allergic Secondary adrenocortical

Hydrocortisone, disorders insufficiency;
Methylprednisolone, Prednisolone, susceptibility to infection;
Dexamethasone NB: Dosage should be withdrawn/tapered if prolonged healing time;
given more than two weeks in order to prevent electrolyte imbalance; GI
secondary adrenocortical insufficiency ulceration;
hyperglycemia

DRUGS USED IN ASTHMA

a. Bronchodilators Bronchodilation - Relieve bronchospasm Atrovent - dry mouth and
Ipatropium Bromide (Atrovent); blurred vision.
Salbutamol/Albuterol (Ventolin,
Asmaven, Salbulin, Bronclair); Salbutamol – tremor,
Theophylline (Theodur) headache, tachycardia
Theophylline – headache,
dizziness, nervousness
b. Anti – inflammatory Asthma prophylaxis – metered dose inhaler Oral candidiasis,
Beclomethasone hoarseness, sore throat,
dryness of mouth
ADRENERGIC AGENTS These drugs “mimic” the effect of the Rapid pulse
(sympathomimetic agents) stimulation of the sympathetic nervous
system ►►increase in cardiac output and
Adrenaline/Epinephrine, rate; constriction of blood vessels in skin and
Dobutamine (Dobutrex, Posiject) viscera; increased blood pressure; dilation of
Dopamine bronchioles; decreased peristalsis; pupillary
Norepinephrine acid tartrate dilation.
(Levophed)
Adrenaline/Epinephrine – acute
bronchospasm; anaphylaxis; cardiac arrest marked increase in heart
rate or blood pressure
Dobutamine (Dobutrex, Posiject) – stimulates
the heart tachycardia

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 Dopamine – cardiogenic shock; endotoxic
shock; cardiac failure arrhythmias, bradycardia,
chest pain, hypertension
Norepinephrine acid tartrate (Levophed) –
acute hypotension which persists after
adequate fluid volume replacement

CHOLINERGICS Used in myasthenia gravis. Thesse drugs Salivation, nausea,

(Parasympathomimetic agents) “mimic” the effect of the stimulation of the abdominal cramps,
parasympathetic nervous system ►►decrease sweating, hypotension
Neostygmine (Prostigmin); in cardiac output and rate; dilation of blood
Pyridostigmine (Mestinon) vessels in skin and viscera; constriction of
bronchi; lowering of blood pressure; increased
peristalsis; pupillary constriction; .
.
ANTI – CHOLINERGICS These drugs block the effect of Anticholinergic effects –
(Parasympatholytic agents) parasympathetic nervous system stimulation. dry mouth; blurred vision;
Therefore, their effect is the same as urinary hesitancy and
Atropine sympathetic nervous system stimulation . retention; constipation;
Benztropine (Cogentin) drowsiness
Hysocine butylbromide (Buscopan) Atropine – bradycardia, used preoperatively to
inhibit salivation secretions
Benztropine (Cogentin) – Parkinsonism; drug
induced extrapyramidal symptoms.
Hysocine butylbromide (Buscopan) – GI
smooth muscle spasm

IRON PREPARATIONS Ferrous salt - Iron deficiency anemia GI irritation, constipation,

Ferrous salt/sulphate or fumarate Ferrous salt & Folic Acid – prophylaxis of iron diarrhea
(Fersamal, Ferrate) and folic acid deficiencies in pregnancy

Ferrous salt & Folic Acid (Ifa, Fe -

fol)
PITUITARY HORMONES Vasopressin – diagnosis and treatment of Vasopressin - fluid
Vasopressin/Anti – diuretic diabetis insipidus; GI hemorrhage. retention; hypersensitivity.
hormone (Pitressin)

PROGESTOGENS dysfunctional uterine bleeding; endometriosis; fluid retention;

Norethisterone/Norethidrone dysmenorrheal breakthrough bleeding;
(Primulot – N) virilizing.

THYROID PREPARATIONS rash; nausea; headache

Carbimazole (Neo – Mercazole; Thyrotoxicosis
Tyrazol)

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ANTI-NEOPLASTICS Azathioprine – rheumatoid arthritis; cytotoxic Azathioprine - bone
immunosuppressant marrow depression; GI
Azathioprine (Imuran; Azamune) toxicities
Busulfan – chronic myeloid leukemia
Busulfan (Myleran) Busulfan - bone marrow
Chlorambucil – non – Hodgkin’s lymphoma depression
Chlorambucil (Leukeran)
Cyclophophamide – Chronic lymphocytic Chlorambucil - bone
Cisplatin leukemia marrow depression; male
sterility
Cyclophophamide (Cytoxan) Doxorubicin – acute leukemia
Cyclophophamide –
Doxorubicin (Adriamycin) Methotrexate (Mexate) – acute leukemia vomiting, nausea, alopecia

Methotrexate (Mexate) Doxorubicin - vomiting,

nausea, alopecia

Methotrexate – bone
marrow suppression