Cozaar

Action:
Angiotensin II receptor (type AT1) antagonist acts as a potent vasoconstrictor and primary vasoactive hormone of
the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system.
Classifications:
cardiovascular agent; angiotensin ii receptor antagonist; antihypertensive
Indication:
Hypertension
Before taking losartan,

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to losartan, any other medications, or any of
the ingredients in losartan tablets. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins,
nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking. Be sure to mention any of the
following: aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) such as
ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), celecoxib (Celebrex), diuretics
('water pills'), fluconazole (Diflucan), lithium (Eskalith CR, Eskalith, Lithobid), potassium
supplements, and rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane). Your doctor may need to change the doses
of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
• tell your doctor if you have or have ever had heart failure or kidney or liver disease.
• tell your doctor if you plan to become pregnant or are breast-feeding.
• you should know that losartan may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, and fainting when you
get up too quickly from a lying position. This is more common when you first start taking
losartan. To avoid this problem, get out of bed slowly, resting your feet on the floor for a few
minutes before standing up.
• you should know that diarrhea, vomiting, not drinking enough fluids, and sweating a lot can
cause a drop in blood pressure, which may cause lightheadedness and fainting. Tell your
doctor if you have any of these problems or develop them during your treatment.

What special dietary instructions should I follow?

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Do not use salt substitutes containing potassium without talking to your doctor. If your doctor
prescribes a low-salt or low-sodium diet, follow these directions carefully.

What should I do if I forget a dose?

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Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip
the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for
a missed one.

What side effects can this medication cause?

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Losartan may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are
severe or do not go away:

• dizziness
 • leg, knee, or back pain
• muscle cramps
• diarrhea
• heartburn
• decreased sensitivity to touch
• stuffy nose

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms or those
listed in the SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS section, call your doctor immediately:

• swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
• hoarseness
• difficulty breathing or swallowing
• chest pain

Losartan may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking
this medication.

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug
Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online
[at http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].

What storage conditions are needed for this medicine?

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Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at
room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any
medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of
your medication.

In case of emergency/overdose
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In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed
or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.

Symptoms of overdose may include the following:

• dizziness
• fainting
• rapid or pounding heartbeat

What other information should I know?

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Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your blood pressure should be checked
regularly to determine your response to losartan.
Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about
refilling your prescription.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-
counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary
supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a
hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.

AMLODIPINE

Norvasc
Classifications: cardiovascular agent; calcium channel blocker; antihypertensive agent
Prototype: Nifedipine
Pregnancy Category: C
NURSING IMPLICATIONS
Assessment & Drug Effects
 Monitor BP for therapeutic effectiveness. BP reduction is greatest after peak levels of amlodipine are
achieved 6–9 h following oral doses.
 Monitor for S&S of dose-related peripheral or facial edema that may not be accompanied by weight gain;
rarely, severe edema may cause discontinuation of drug.
 Monitor BP with postural changes. Report postural hypotension. Monitor more frequently when additional
antihypertensives or diuretics are added.
 Monitor heart rate; dose-related palpitations (more common in women) may occur.
Patient & Family Education
 Report significant swelling of face or extremities.
 Take care to have support when standing & walking due to possible dose-related light-
headedness/dizziness.
 Report shortness of breath, palpitations, irregular heartbeat, nausea, or constipation to physician.
 Do not breast feed while taking this drug without consulting physician.
Why is this medication prescribed?
Amlodipine is used alone or in combination with other medications to treat high blood pressure and
chest pain (angina). Amlodipine is in a class of medications called calcium channel blockers. It lowers
blood pressure by relaxing the blood vessels so the heart does not have to pump as hard. It controls
chest pain by increasing the supply of blood to the heart. If taken regularly, amlodipine controls chest
pain, but it does not stop chest pain once it starts. Your doctor may prescribe a different medication to
take when you have chest pain.

How should this medicine be used?

Amlodipine comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken once a day. To help you remember
to take amlodipine, take it around the same time every day. Follow the directions on your prescription
label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take
amlodipine exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by
your doctor.

Your doctor will probably start you on a low dose of amlodipine and gradually increase your dose.
Amlodipine controls high blood pressure and chest pain (angina) but does not cure them. Continue to
take amlodipine even if you feel well. Do not stop taking amlodipine without talking to your doctor.

Other uses for this medicine

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This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

What special precautions should I follow?

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Before taking amlodipine,

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to amlodipine or any other medications.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins,
nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking.
• tell your doctor if you have or have ever had heart failure or liver disease.
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you
become pregnant while taking amlodipine, call your doctor.

What special dietary instructions should I follow?

Return to top
If your doctor prescribes a low-salt or low-sodium diet, follow these directions carefully.

What should I do if I forget a dose?

Return to top
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip
the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for
a missed one.

What side effects can this medication cause?

Return to top
Amlodipine may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are
severe or do not go away:

• swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs

• headache
• upset stomach
• stomach pain
• dizziness or lightheadedness
• drowsiness
• excessive tiredness
• flushing (feeling of warmth)

Some side effects can be serious. The following symptoms are uncommon, but if you
experience any of them, call your doctor immediately:
 • more frequent or more severe chest pain
• rapid, pounding, or irregular heartbeat
• fainting

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug
Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online
[at http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].

What storage conditions are needed for this medicine?

Return to top
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at
room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any
medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of
your medication.

In case of emergency/overdose
Return to top
In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed
or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.

Symptoms of overdose may include:

• dizziness
• fainting
• rapid heartbeat

What other information should I know?

Return to top
Keep all appointments with your doctor. Your blood pressure should be checked regularly to determine
your response to amlodipine.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about
refilling your prescription.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-
counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary
supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a
hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.

Why is this medication prescribed?

Ketorolac is used to relieve moderately severe pain, usually after surgery. Ketorolac is in a class of
medications called NSAIDs. It works by stopping the body's production of a substance that causes
pain, fever, and inflammation.

How should this medicine be used?

Ketorolac comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken every 4 to 6 hours on a schedule or
as needed for pain. If you are taking ketorolac on a schedule, take it at around the same times every
day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to
explain any part you do not understand.

Other uses for this medicine

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This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more
information.

What special precautions should I follow?

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Before taking ketorolac,

• do not take ketorolac if you are taking probenecid.

• tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins,
nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to
mention the medications listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section and any of the
following: antidepressants; medications for anxiety or mental illness; medications for seizures
such as carbamazepine (Tegretol) or phenytoin (Dilantin); methotrexate (Rheumatrex);
sedatives; sleeping pills; and tranquilizers. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your
medications or monitor you more carefully for side effects.
• tell your doctor if you have or have ever had the conditions mentioned in the IMPORTANT
WARNING section or swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs.
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, especially if you are in the last few months of your
pregnancy, or you plan to become pregnant. If you become pregnant while taking ketorolac,
call your doctor.

talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking ketorolac if you are 65 years of age or
older. Older adults should not usually take ketorolac because it is not as safe as other
medications that can be used to treat the same condition.

• you should know that this medication may make you drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive a car or
operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you.
• talk to your doctor about the safe use of alcohol while taking this medication. Alcohol can
make the side effects of ketorolac worse.

What special dietary instructions should I follow?

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Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.

What should I do if I forget a dose?

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If your doctor has told you to take ketorolac regularly, take the missed dose as soon as you remember
it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular
dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

What side effects can this medication cause?

Return to top
Ketorolac may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are
severe or do not go away:

• headache
• dizziness
• drowsiness
• diarrhea
• constipation
• gas
• sores in the mouth
• sweating

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms,
or those mentioned in the IMPORTANT WARNING section, call your doctor
immediately. Do not take any more ketorolac until you speak to your doctor.

• fever
• blisters
• yellowing of the skin or eyes
• excessive tiredness
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• lack of energy
• nausea
• loss of appetite
• pain in the upper right part of the stomach
• flu-like symptoms
• pale skin
• fast heartbeat
• cloudy, discolored, or bloody urine
• back pain
• difficult or painful urination

Ketorolac may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking
this medication.

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug
Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online
[at http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].

What storage conditions are needed for this medicine?

Return to top
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at
room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any
medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of
your medication.

In case of emergency/overdose
Return to top
In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed
or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.

Symptoms of overdose may include the following:

• nausea
• vomiting
• stomach pain
• bloody, black, or tarry stools
• vomit that is bloody or looks like coffee grounds
• drowsiness
• slowed breathing or fast, shallow breathing
• coma (loss of consciousness for a period of time)

What other information should I know?

Return to top
Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about
refilling your prescription.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-
counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary
supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a
hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.