Digoxin

Generic Name: Digoxin

Brand Names: Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps, Cardoxin, Digitek

Dosage+Route: Tablets 50mcg (0.05mg) to 500mcg (.5mg) or 50mcg/ml to 250mcg/ml oral solution po qd

Usuage: Used to treat heart failure and atrial fibrillation. 

Side Effects: Arrhythmia, sinus bradycardia, nausea, vomiting, lower abdominal pain, diarrhea, dizziness, headache, drowsiness, blurred vision, loss of appetite. toxicity.

Other Info: Administer one half the total dosage then give one fourth the total loading dose every 6-8 hours for two doses. Should not stop using suddenly or symptoms could worsen. Can interact with Amoxicillin, adenosine, calcium chloride, amiodarone, quinidine.  

Clonidine

Generic Name: Clonidine

Brand Names: Catapres, Kapvay

Dosage+Route: Tablet 100mcg up to 2.4mg po up to tid or transdermal patch .1mg/24hr applied every 7 days to upper outer arm or chest. 

Usage: Mainly to treat hypertension and pain. The Kapvay brand is sometimes used to treat A.D.H.D. in pediatrics.

Side Effects: Drowsiness, fatigue, hypotension, headache, upper abdominal pain, dizziness, chest pain, tachycardia, sweating, irritation/reaction to adhesive of patch, dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, erectile dysfunction, confusion

Other Info: Can't crush, can be taken with or without food, can cause withdrawal symptoms if sudden cease of the drug. Patients going through narcotiv withdrawal. Can interact with doxepin, amoxapine, acetaminophen, aspirin, caffeine, propoxyphene. 

Norvasc

Generic Name: Amlodipine

Dosage+Route: Tablets 5mg to 10mg po qd 

Usage: Used to treat angina and other symptoms of coronary artery disease. Also used for managing hypertension. 

Side Effects: Headache, edema (more common in men than woman), fatigue, dizziness, palpitations, abdominal pain, nausea, flushing.

Other Info: Can be taken with or without food. Blood pressure will need to be checked often. Can interact with dolasetron, rifampin, niacin, simvastatin, isoniazid, tizanidine. 

Lasix

Generic Name: Furosemide

Brand Names: Diaqua, Lo-Aqua

Dosage+Route: 20mg to 80mg given in a single dose po qd can be given 2x qd with a daily max dose of 600mg.

Usage: Loop diuretic used to treat fluid retention in patients with congestive heart failure, liver disease, or kidney disorders. 

Side Effects: gout, hyponatremia, urine volume increase, possibility of hyperglycemia in diabetics. If increased edema or shortness of breath patient may need a second dose.

Other Info: In high doses it can cause irreversible hearing loss. Patients on this drug should stay hydrated and may need a potassium supplement. Can interact with amikacin, dolasetron, sodium phosphate, fentanyl, droperidol, lithium, neomycin.

Nitroglycerin

Generic Name: Nitroglycerin

Dosage+Route: Lingual spray 1 to 2 sprays (0.4mg to 0.8mg) on or under tongue every 5 minutes as needed, up to 3 sprays in 15 minutes. If pain persists after max dose seek medical attention. Sublingual tablet 0.3mg to 0.6mg sublingual or buccal pouch every 5 minutes prn, up to 3 doses in 15 minutes, if pain persists after max dose seek medical attention. Transdermal patch 0.2mg to 0.4mg/hr applied topically qd for 12 to 14 hours per day max of 0.8mg/hr. E.R. capsules 2.5mg to 6mg po tid or qid. Ointment used for hypertension do not massage into skin.

Usage: Used to treat high blood pressure, chest pain, heart failure.

Side Effects: Headache, dizziness, drowsiness, hypotension, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, restlessness. 

Other Info: Patient should have blood pressure done often. Can interact with lidocaine, sodium nitrate, prilocaine, epinephrine. 

Coumadin

Generic Name: Warfarin

Brand Names: Coumadin, Jantoven

Dosage+Route: Individualized dosages based on I.N.R.s. Tablet 2mg to 10mg po qd

Usage: Anticoagulant used to prevent blood clots to reduce the risk of stroke and heart attack. Also used in patients with an artificial valve. 

Side Effects: Excessive bleeding due to thinning of blood. Dark stools,            

Other Info: Should be taken at the same time every day with or without food. Frequent I.N.R.s will be needed to determine dosage. Can react with ibuprofen, aspirin, nandrolone, acetaminophen, caffeine, alka-seltzer, naproxen, belladonna, testosterone. Reversed with potassium or vitamin K or plavix. 

Coreg

Generic Name: Carvedilol beta blocker

Dosage+Route: Immediate Release tablets 3.125mg-50mg po bid for 2 weeks; Extended release capsules 10mg-80mg po qd for 2 weeks not to exceed 80mg qd

Usage: Used for treatment of heart failure and hypertension. Can also be used after a heart attack.

Side Effects: hyperglycemia, hypotension, chest pain, bradycardia, edema, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, anemia, pain in back an/or extremities, dizziness, headache, blurred vision, fatigue, depression.

Other Info: Should be taken with food. Check for parameter. Stopping suddenly could result in worsening condition. Can interact with albuterol, epinephrine, fluticasone, theophylline, formoterol.  

Diovan

Generic Name: Valsart and Hydrochlorothiazide

Brand Names: Diovan HTC

Dosage: Tablet 12.5mg-320mg po qd for up to 4 weeks.

Usage: Used to treat hypertension. 

Side Effects: Headache, fatigue, dizziness, cough, hyperglycemia, back pain, muscle cramps, neutropenia.

Other Info: Blood pressure should be checked often. If patient is diabetic check blood sugar often. Can interact with amiloride, amiodarone, dolasetron, benzapril, bactrim, potassium chloride, lithium, sodium phosphate, droperidol. 

Lovenox

Generic Name: Enoxaparin

Brand Names: Clexane, Clexane Forte, Lovenox HP

Dosage+Route: 1mg/kg sc qd or 30mg sc qd

Usage: Anticoagulant used to prevent D.V.T. Also used to prevent blood vessel complications in patients with certain types of angina or heart attack. 

Side Effects: Anemia, excessive bleeding, nausea, diarrhea, injection site pain, redness, or hematoma, edema, dyspnea, confusion. 

Other Info: Nurse will have to administer this drug. Can interact with ibuprofen, aspirin, naproxen, warfarin, ketoprofen. 

Lopressor

Generic Name: Metoprolol/Hydrochlorothiazide 

Dosage+Route: Tablets initial 100mg qd po; maintenance 100mg to 450mg po qd

Usage: Used to treat high blood pressure.

Side Effects: Drowsiness, lathargy, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, anorexia, sweating, dyspnea, shortness of breathe, bradycardia, blurred vision, nightmares, impotence, muscle pain, flu syndrome.

Other Info: Patient should not stop using this drug suddenly due to worsening symptoms and possible heart attack. Can interact with theophylline, dolasetron, aminophylline, sodium phosphate, verapamil, droperidol, lithium, epinephrine. 

HCTZ

Generic Name: Hydrochlorothiazide

Brand Names: Aquazide H, HydroDIUIL, Microzide

Dosage+Range: Tablets 12.5mg to 100mg qd po 

Usage: LeukDiuretic used to prevent the body from absorbing too much salt. Treats fluid retention and high blood pressure. 

Side Effects: Increased urination, hyperglycemia, blurred vision, headache, nausea, diarrhea, hypotension, muscle cramps. 

Other Info: Patient should stay well hydrated. Blood pressure should be checked often. Can interact with dolasetron, sodium phosphate, droperidol, fentanyl, lithium. 

Flovent

Generic Name: Fluticasone inhalation

Brand Names: Arnuity Ellipta, 

Dosage+Route:  100mcg-250mcg bid inhaler max dose of 500mcg bid

Usage: Used to prevent asthma attack, although it will not treat an asthma attack after it has already begun. Also C.O.P.D. 

Side Effects: Headache, upper respiratory system infections, nasal congestion, cough, sinus infection, thrush, nausea, vomiting, back pain, headache, fever. 

Other Info: Not a rescue medicine. Is a steroid. Can interact with amprenavir, atazanavir, telithromycin. 

Atrovent

Generic Name: iptropium inhaler

Dosage+Route:  Nasal spray antihistamine 2 sprays (42mcg) per nostril bid or tid total daily dose should not exceed 252mcg/day. Inhaler 2 puffs tid or qid not to exceed 12 in 24hrs. Nebulizer.

Usage: Nasal spray is used to reduce allergy symptoms. Inhaler is used to open airway in patients with lung diseases where spasms may cause breathing difficulties.

Side Effects: Headache, throat irritation, dry mouth, nausea, upper respiratory infection, cough, U.T.I., back pain, dizziness. 

Other Info: Not a rescue inhaler. Heart rate should be monitored. Can interact with Alka-seltzer, abilify, benadryl, pseudoephedrine.  

Albuterol

Generic Name: Albuterol 

Brand Names: ProAir HFA, ProAir Respiclick, Proventil HFA, Ventolin HFA, Volmax.

Dosage+Route: Tablets 2-4mg tid or qid po; inhaler 90 mcg (2 puffs) q4-6h; syrup 2mg/ml

Usage: Broncho dilator used to relax muscles in the airways to increase air flow to the lungs. 

Side Effects: Mouth and throat irritation, tremors, nausea, headache, dizziness, increased heart rate, palpitations, nervousness.

Other Info: Not to be used as a rescue inhaler. Can interact with sotalol, timolol, nadolol, propanolol. 

Symbicort

Generic Name: Budesonide and formoterol

Brand Names: Rhinocort

Dosage+Range: Inhaler 2 puffs (64mcg) in each nostril every morning and evening or q12h.

Usage: Cortico steroids used to treat symptoms of C.O.P.D. and asthma.

Side Effects: Respiratory infections, nausea, headache, dizziness, U.T.I.

Other Info: Not to be used as a rescue inhaler. Shake well before use and rinse out mouth after each use. Can interact with clarithromycin, sotalol, nadolol, carvedilol, hydrochlorothiazide, propanolol.

Pro-Air

Generic Name: Albuterol Inhalation

Brand Names: Pro Air HFA, Pro Air Respiclick, Proventil HFA, Ventolin HFA

Dosage+Route: inhaler 90 mcg (2 puffs) q4-6h

Usage: Bronchodilator that relaxes muscles in the air way to increase air flow.

Side Effects: Mouth and throat irritation, tremors, nausea, headache, dizziness, increased heart rate, palpitations, nervousness.

Other Info: Not to be used as a rescue inhaler. Can interact with sotalol, timolol, nadolol, propanolol. 

Singulair

Generic Name: Montelukast

Dosage+Route: Tablet qd in the evening 10mg po

Usage: Leukotriene inhibitor used to reduce allergy symptoms and prevent asthma attacks.

Side Effects: Upper respiratory infection, fever, headache, dizziness, cough, abdominal pain, nasal congestion.

Advair Disc

Generic Name: fluticasone and salmeterol

Dosage+Route: 100mcg-500mcg fluticasone and 50mcg salmeterol (1 puff) qd  

Usage: Cortigo-Steroid and bronchial dilator used to prevent swelling in the air ways and to relax the muscles in the airways to improve breathing.

Side Effect: Upper respiratory infections, nasal congestion, headache, nausea, dizziness, rapid heart beat, tremors, contusions, thrush, muscle cramps.

Other Info: Not a rescue inhaler. Patient should rinse mouth out thoroughly to prevent thrush. Shouldn't be used if patient is allergic to milk products. Can interact with amprenavir, clarithromycin, timilol, sotalol, hydrochlorothiazide.