PHARMACOLOGY

GENERIC NAME: Epinephrine ROUTE: Inhalation, Nebulization

BRAND NAME: DOSE:

Epipen, Adrenaclick the typical dose for adults is 0.3 to
0.5 mg injected intramuscularly
into the thigh.
DRUG CLASS:Epinephrine belongs to the class of medications known
as sympathomimetic agents, specifically a non-selective adrenergic
agonist.
THERAPEUTIC USE: MECHANISM OF ACTION:
Epinephrine is used for the It works by increasing heart rate,
emergency treatment of severe constricting blood vessels, dilating
allergic reactions air passages, and reducing allergic
reactions by counteracting the
effects of histamine release.
ADVERSE EFFECT: CONTRAINDICATION:
Common adverse effects of Epinephrine is contraindicated in
epinephrine may include patients with known
palpitations, anxiety, tremors, hypersensitivity to epinephrine or
headache, dizziness, sweating, any of its components.
nausea, vomiting, and respiratory
difficulties.

PATIENT COUNSELING: NOTES: It is essential to ensure

They should be instructed on the proper storage of epinephrine
correct route of administration, auto-injectors according to the
proper dosing, and when to seek manufacturer's instructions.
medical help after using Patients should regularly check
epinephrine the expiration date and replace
expired devices promptly.

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GENERIC NAME: Norepinephrine ROUTE: intravenously (IV) through
a central line or dedicated
peripheral venous line.
BRAND NAME: Levophed DOSE: The usual initial dose of
norepinephrine is 0.1 to 0.5
mcg/kg/minute
DRUG CLASS: Norepinephrine is classified as a vasopressor and
sympathomimetic amine medication.

THERAPEUTIC USE: MECHANISM OF ACTION:

used to treat critically low blood Norepinephrine acts primarily as
pressure in conditions such as an alpha-adrenergic agonist,
septic shock, cardiogenic shock, causing vasoconstriction and
increasing blood pressure by
stimulating alpha-adrenergic
receptors in the blood vessels.

ADVERSE EFFECT: Common CONTRAINDICATION:

adverse effects of norepinephrine Norepinephrine is contraindicated
include high blood pressure, tissue in patients with hypotension due
necrosis if extravasation occurs to volume depletion and those
during administration, decreased with reduced peripheral perfusion.
blood flow to certain organs,
arrhythmias, and reduced urine
output.
PATIENT COUNSELING: NOTES: Norepinephrine is a potent
Patients receiving norepinephrine vasopressor and is typically
should be closely monitored in an administered under close medical
intensive care setting due to its supervision in critical care
potent effects on blood pressure settings.
and circulation.

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GENERIC NAME: Dopamine ROUTE: administered
intravenously (IV) through a
dedicated line.
BRAND NAME: Intropin DOSE:Common dosages range
from 1 to 20 mcg/kg/minute

DRUG CLASS: Dopamine is classified as an adrenergic agonist and

inotropic agent.

THERAPEUTIC USE: Dopamine is MECHANISM OF ACTION:

primarily used in the treatment of Dopamine acts on alpha-
cardiogenic shock, septic shock. adrenergic, beta-adrenergic, and
dopaminergic receptors in the
body.
ADVERSE EFFECT: Common CONTRAINDICATION: Dopamine is
adverse effects of dopamine contraindicated in patients with
include tachycardia, arrhythmias, pheochromocytoma, ventricular
hypertension, extravasation fibrillation, and uncorrected
leading to tissue necrosis, and tachyarrhythmias.
decreased perfusion to certain
organs.
PATIENT COUNSELING: Patients NOTES: Dopamine is a potent
receiving dopamine should be vasopressor and inotropic agent
closely monitored in an intensive commonly used in critical care
care unit due to its potential settings to support blood pressure
impact on blood pressure and and cardiac function.
heart function.

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GENERIC NAME: Clonidine ROUTE: It can be taken orally as a
tablet or applied as a patch to the
skin.
BRAND NAME: DOSE:The typical starting dose for
Catapres, Kapvay, and Nexiclon. oral clonidine in adults with
hypertension is 0.1mg twice daily.
DRUG CLASS: Clonidine is classified as a centrally acting alpha-agonist
hypotensive agent.

THERAPEUTIC USE: MECHANISM OF ACTION: Clonidine

It is used to treat conditions suchworks by stimulating alpha
as hypertension, ADHD, and receptors in the brain, leading to a
sometimes as an adjunct in pain decrease in sympathetic outflow
management. from the central nervous system.
ADVERSE EFFECT: Common side CONTRAINDICATION: Clonidine
effects of clonidine may include should be used with caution in
dizziness, dry mouth, drowsiness, patients with a history of heart
constipation, and fatigue. problems, hypotension, or certain
psychiatric conditions.
PATIENT COUNSELING: NOTES: Monitoring blood pressure
Patients should be advised to take and heart rate regularly is
clonidine as prescribed by their important while taking clonidine,
healthcare provider and not to especially during dose
discontinue the medication adjustments or changes.
suddenly.

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GENERIC NAME: Methyldopa ROUTE: It is typically taken orally
as a tablet or capsule.
BRAND NAME: Aldomet DOSE: The usual starting dose of
methyldopa for adults is 250mg
two to three times daily.
DRUG CLASS: Methyldopa is classified as a centrally acting alpha-2
adrenergic agonist.

THERAPEUTIC USE: This MECHANISM OF ACTION:

medication is primarily used to Methyldopa works by being
lower blood pressure in patients converted into
with hypertension. methylnorepinephrine in the
brain, which then acts to reduce
sympathetic outflow.

ADVERSE EFFECT: : Common side CONTRAINDICATION: Methyldopa

effects of methyldopa may include is contraindicated in patients with
drowsiness, dry mouth, dizziness, active liver disease, a history of
headache, and gastrointestinal liver problems with this
upset. medication, or a known
hypersensitivity to methyldopa.
PATIENT COUNSELING: Patients NOTES: Regular monitoring of
should take methyldopa exactly blood pressure and liver function
as prescribed by their healthcare tests may be necessary during
provider and not stop the treatment with methyldopa.
medication abruptly.

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GENERIC NAME: Isoproterenol ROUTE: intravenous or
intramuscula
BRAND NAME: Isuprel. DOSE: It is usually given in a
hospital setting by healthcare
professionals.
DRUG CLASS: Isoproterenol is classified as a non-selective beta-
adrenergic agonist.

THERAPEUTIC USE: Isoproterenol MECHANISM OF ACTION:

is commonly used to treat certain Isoproterenol works by stimulating
types of heart rhythm problems, beta-adrenergic receptors in the
such as heart block or heart and lungs, leading to
bradycardia, and can also serve as increased heart rate, cardiac
a bronchodilator for conditions like output, and bronchodilation.
asthma or chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease (COPD).
ADVERSE EFFECT: Common side CONTRAINDICATION: Isoproterenol
effects of isoproterenol may is contraindicated in patients with
include palpitations, tachycardia known hypersensitivity to the
(fast heart rate), tremors, drug, severe heart disease, and
headache, and nausea. certain arrhythmias.
PATIENT COUNSELING: Patients NOTES: Isoproterenol should only
receiving isoproterenol should be be administered by healthcare
closely monitored in a hospital professionals who are experienced
setting due to its potential for in its use, as improper
serious side effects such as administration can lead to
arrhythmias. significant adverse effects.

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GENERIC NAME: Dobutamine ROUTE: Dobutrex

BRAND NAME: Dobutrex DOSE: Initial dose: 2.5–5

mcg/kg/min,

DRUG CLASS :Sympathomimetic agent

THERAPEUTIC USE: Acute heart MECHANISM OF ACTION: Mild

failure (especially with low cardiac vasodilation (beta-2 effects)
output) without significantly increasing
heart rate or causing excessive
vasoconstriction.
ADVERSE EFFECT: Increased CONTRAINDICATION: Idiopathic
myocardial oxygen demand, hypertrophic subaortic stenosis
which can precipitate or worsen (because increased contractility
ischemia in patients with coronary could worsen outflow obstruction)
artery disease.
PATIENT COUNSELING: Continuous NOTES: It is preferred over
monitoring is essential when on dopamine in patients with heart
dobutamine, including vital signs failure and low cardiac output
(heart rate, blood pressure) and because it causes less
heart rhythm. vasoconstriction and tachycardia.

ADDITIONAL SOURCES:

PHARMACOLOGY
GENERIC NAME: Salbutamol ROUTE:
Inhalation,Oral,Intravenous
BRAND NAME: Ventolin DOSE: Nebulizer: 2.5 mg (for
adults) every 4–6 hours.

DRUG CLASS: Short-acting beta-2 adrenergic agonist (SABA)

THERAPEUTIC USE: MECHANISM OF ACTION:

Prevention of asthma attacks and Relaxation of bronchial muscles,
bronchospasm resulting in widened airways and
improved airflow.

ADVERSE EFFECT: Tremors, CONTRAINDICATION:

Tachycardia, Palpitations Hypersensitivity to salbutamol or
any other component of the
formulation.

PATIENT COUNSELING: Inhalation NOTES: Often used in conjunction

technique is critical for with other long-term control
effectiveness. Ensure proper medications, like inhaled
administration of MDI or nebulizer corticosteroids, for chronic asthma
treatments. management.

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PHARMACOLOGY
GENERIC NAME: Formoterol ROUTE: Inhalation (dry powder
inhaler (DPI), nebulizer solution)
BRAND NAME: Foradil DOSE: Inhalation (DPI): 12 mcg
(one capsule) every 12 hours.

DRUG CLASS: Long-acting beta-2 adrenergic agonist (LABA)

THERAPEUTIC USE: Maintenance MECHANISM OF ACTION:

treatment of asthma (as an add- (relaxation of airway muscles)
on to inhaled corticosteroids) that improves airflow for up to 12
hours.
ADVERSE EFFECT: Tremor, CONTRAINDICATION: Formoterol
Palpitation, Tachycardia should never be used alone in
asthma due to the risk of
increased asthma-related death. It
must be used with an inhaled
corticosteroid (ICS).

PATIENT COUNSELING: Formoterol NOTES:For asthma, LABAs (like

is a maintenance medication and formoterol) increase the risk of
should not be used as a rescue asthma-related deaths if used
inhaler for sudden asthma without inhaled corticosteroids.
attacks. Always have a short- However, when used correctly in
acting bronchodilator (e.g., combination with ICS, it
salbutamol) for emergencies. significantly reduces asthma
exacerbations.
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PHARMACOLOGY
GENERIC NAME: Salmeterol ROUTE: Inhalation (dry powder
inhaler (DPI))
BRAND NAME: Serevent, Serevent DOSE: 50 mcg inhalation every 12
Diskus hours.
DRUG CLASS: Long-acting beta-2 adrenergic agonist (LABA)

THERAPEUTIC USE:Maintenance MECHANISM OF ACTION: It relaxes

treatment of asthma (in airway muscles and opens up the
combination with inhaled airways to improve breathing.
corticosteroids)

ADVERSE EFFECT: Nervousness or CONTRAINDICATION: Monotherapy

anxiety, Throat irritation, in asthma: Like formoterol,
hoarseness salmeterol should never be used
alone for asthma due to the
increased risk of asthma-related
death. It must be used with an
inhaled corticosteroid (ICS).

PATIENT COUNSELING: Salmeterol NOTES: LABAs (including

must be used with an inhaled salmeterol) are associated with an
corticosteroid to reduce the risk of increased risk of asthma-related
severe asthma complications. death when used without inhaled
corticosteroids. Therefore, in
asthma management, salmeterol
should always be combined with
an inhaled corticosteroid (e.g.,
Advair).
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