NAME OF DRUG ACTION INDICATION CONTRAINDICATIO ADVERSE EFFECTS NURSINGCONSIDER

N ATIONS
Monitor V/S. and
GENERIC NAME: Relaxes bronchial • Bronchospasm, • Contraindicated in CNS: nervousness, check for cardiac
smooth muscle by hypersensitivity patients with tremors, vertigo, dysrhythmias
epinephrine stimulating beta2 reaction, angle-closure pain, headache, • Drug increases
receptors and alpha anaphylaxis glaucoma, shock disorientation, rigidity and tremor
and beta receptors in (other than agitation, drowsiness, in patients with
BRAND NAME: the sympathetic • Hemostasis anaphylactic fear, dizziness, Parkinson’s
Adrenaline Chloride nervous system. shock), organic weakness, cerebral disease
• Acute Asthma brain damage, hemorrhage, CVA • Epinephrine
CLASSIFICATION: Attacks cardiac dilation, therapy interferes
Sympathomimetic arrhythmias, CV: palpitations, with tests for
drug • To prolong local coronary widened pulse urinary
anesthetic effect insufficiency, or pressure, catecholamine
Alpha-adrenergic cerebral hypertension, • Avoid IM use of
agonist arteriosclerosis. tachycardia, parenteral
• To restore cardiac
• Contraindicated in ventricular fibrillation, suspension into
rhythm in cardiac
Beta1- and beta2- patient receiving shock, angina pain, buttocks. Gas
arrest
adrenergic agonist general altered ECG gangrene may
anesthesia with (decreased T-wave occur
Cardiac stimulant halogenated amplitude) • Massage site after
hydrocarbons or IM injection to
Vasopressor cyclopropane and GI: nausea, vomiting counteract
in patients in labor possible
Bronchodilator (may delay second RESPIRATORY: vasoconstriction.
stage) dyspnea
• Observe patient
Antasthmatic • Some products closely for adverse
containing sulfites SKIN: urticarial,
reactions. Notify
Nasal decongestant and are hemorrhage at
doctor if adverse
contraindicated in injection site, pallor
reaction develop
Mydriatic patients with • If blood pressure
sulfite allergies OTHER: tissue
increases sharply,
Antiglaucoma drug except when drug necrosis rapid-acting
is used for serious vasodilators such
allergic reactions as nitrates or alpha
or in other blockers can be
emergency given to
situations. counteract
• In conjunction with
local anesthesia,
epinephrine is
contraindicated
for use in finger,
toes, ears, nose,
and genitalia.
• Use cautiously
with long-standing
bronchial asthma
and emphysema,
who have
developed
degenerative
heart disease and
in those with
hyperthyroidism,
CV disease,
hypertension,
psychoneurosis, or
diabetes.
• In pregnant
woman, drug is
contraindicated.
• In breast feeding
do not use the
drug or stop
breast feeding.
NAME OF DRUG ACTION INDICATION CONTRAINDICATIO ADVERSE EFFECTS NURSINGCONSIDER
N ATIONS

GENERIC NAME: Competitively blocks • Symptomatic • Contraindicated CNS: restlessness, • Many adverse
the effects of bradycardia, with ataxia, disorientation, reactions (such as
atropine sulfate acetylcholine at bradyarrhythmia hypersensitivity to hallucinations, dry mouth and
(junctional or anticholinergic delirium, coma, constipation)vary
muscarinic
BRAND NAME: escape rhythm) drugs. insomnia, agitation, with the dose
cholinergic receptors confusion.
Sal-tropine that mediate the
• Antidote for • Contraindicated • In adults, avoid
effects of anticholinesterase with glaucoma; CV: tachycardia, doses less than
CLASSIFICATION: parasympathetic insecticide adhesions angina, arrhythmias, 0.5mg because of
Anticholinergic postganglionic poisoning between iris and flushing. the risk of
impulses, depressing lens; stenosing paradoxical
Antimuscarinic • Preoperatively to peptic ulcer; EENT: photophobia, bradycardia
salivary and bronchial
diminish pyloroduodenal blurred vision,
Parasympatholytic secretions, dilating mydriasis.
secretions and obstruction; • Watch for
the bronchi, inhibiting paralytic ileus;
block cardiac tachycardia in
Antiparkinsonian vagal influences on vagal reflexes intestinal atony; GI: dry mouth, cardiac patients
the heart, relaxing severe ulcerative constipation, because it may
Antidote the GI and GU tracts, • Adjunct treatment colitis; toxic vomiting. lead to ventricular
inhibiting gastric acid of peptic ulcer megacolon; fibrillation.
Diagnostic agent disease; functional symptomatic GU: urine retention.
secretion (high
(ophthalmic GI disorders such prostatic
preparations) doses), relaxing the Hematologic:
as irritable bowel hypertrophy; • Monitor fluid intake
pupil of the eye bladder neck leukocytosis
syndrome and urine output.
Belladonna alkaloid (mydriatic effect), obstruction; Other: anaphylaxis Drug causes urine
and preventing bronchial asthma; retention and
accommodation for COPD; cardiac urinary hesitancy.
near vision arrhythmias;
(cycloplegic effect); tachycardia;
myocardial
also blocks the
ischemia;
 effects of impaired
acetylcholine in the metabolic, liver, or
CNS. kidney function;
myasthenia
gravis.

NAME OF DRUG ACTION INDICATION CONTRAINDICATIO ADVERSE EFFECTS NURSINGCONSIDER

N ATIONS

GENERIC NAME: Not clearly defined. • Severe • Contraindicated in CNS: Vertigo, Systemic
Decreases inflammation, patients headache, administration
hydrocortisone inflammation, mainly adrenal hypersensitive to paresthesias, • WARNING: Give
by stabilizing insufficiency drug or its insomnia, daily before 9 AM
leukocyte lysosomal ingredients, in convulsions, to mimic normal
BRAND NAME: membranes; • Shock those with psychosis peak diurnal
suppresses immune systemic fungal CV: Hypotension, corticosteroid
Cortef response; stimulates infections, in those shock, hypertension levels and
Cortenema bone marrow; and • Adjunct treatment receiving and CHF secondary to minimize HPA
Hydrocortone influences protein, fat for ulcerative immunosuppressiv fluid retention, suppression.
and carbohydrate colitis and e doses together thromboembolism, • Space multiple
metabolism. proctitis with live virus thrombophlebitis, fat doses evenly
CLASSIFICATION: vaccines and in embolism, cardiac throughout the
Corticosteroid, short premature infants. arrhythmias day.
acting secondary to • Do not give IM
electrolyte injections if patient
Glucocorticoid disturbances has
Dermatologic: Thin, thrombocytopenic
Adrenal cortical fragile skin; purpura.
steroid petechiae; • Rotate sites of IM
 ecchymoses; purpura; repository
Hormonal agent striae; subcutaneous injections to avoid
fat atrophy local atrophy.
EENT: Cataracts, • Use minimal doses
glaucoma (long-term for minimal
therapy), increased duration to
IOP minimize adverse
Endocrine: effects.
Amenorrhea, irregular • Taper doses when
menses, growth discontinuing high-
retardation, dose or long-term
decreased therapy.
carbohydrate • Arrange for
tolerance and increased dosage
diabetes mellitus, when patient is
cushingoid state subject to unusual
(long-term therapy), stress.
HPA suppression • Ensure that
systemic with therapy adequate amount
longer than 5 days of Ca2+ is taken if
GI: Peptic or prolonged
esophageal ulcer, administration of
pancreatitis, steroids.
abdominal distention,
• Use alternate-day
nausea, vomiting,
maintenance
increased appetite
therapy with short-
and weight gain
acting
(long-term therapy)
corticosteroids
Hematologic: Na+
whenever possible.
and fluid retention,
• WARNING: Do not
hypokalemia,
give live virus
hypocalcemia,
vaccines with
increased blood
immunosuppressiv
 sugar, increased e doses of
serum cholesterol, hydrocortisone.
decreased serum T3 • Provide antacids
and T4 levels between meals to
Hypersensitivity: help avoid peptic
Anaphylactoid or ulcer.
hypersensitivity
reactions Topical dermatologic
Musculoskeletal: administration
Muscle weakness, • Use caution with
steroid myopathy and occlusive
loss of muscle mass, dressings; tight or
osteoporosis, plastic diapers
spontaneous over affected area
fractures (long-term can increase
therapy) systemic
Other: absorption.
Immunosuppression, • Avoid prolonged
aggravation or use, especially
masking of infections, near eyes, in
impaired wound genital and rectal
healing areas, on face, and
in skin creases.

NAME OF DRUG ACTION INDICATION CONTRAINDICATIO ADVERSE EFFECTS NURSINGCONSIDER

N ATIONS
 • Contraindicated in CNS: tetany • To avoid risk of
GENERIC NAME: Restores buffering • Metabolic Acidosis patients with alkalosis, obtain
capacity of the body metabolic or CV: edema blood pH, partial
sodium bicarbonate and neutralizes • Systemic or respiratory pressure of arterial
excess acid. urinary alkalosis and GI: gastric distention, oxygen, partial
BRAND NAME: alkanization patients with belching, flatulence pressure of arterial
hypocalcemia in carbon dioxide and
Arm and Hammer • Antacid which alkalosis METABOLIC: electrolyte levels.
Pure Baking Soda, may produce hypokalemia, Tell prescriber
Citrocarbonate, Soda • Cardiac arrest tetany, metabolic alkalosis, laboratory results.
Mint hypertension, hypernatremia,
seizures, or heart hyperosmolarity with
CLASSIFICATION: failure. overdose
• Contraindicated in
Alkalizing Agent, patients losing SKIN: pain and
Buffer, Antacid, chlorides from irritation t injection
electrolyte vomiting or site
continuous GI
suction; and in
those receiving
diuretics that
produce
hypochloremia
alkalosis.
• Oral sodium
bicarbonate is
contraindicated in
patients with
acute ingestion of
strong mineral
acids.