PARACETAMOL

Brand name: Aeknil

Classification: Analgesics (Non-Opioid) & Antipyretics
Dosage: Adult & childn ≥10 yr 2-3 mL, ≤10 yr 1-2 mL. Depending on severity of case,
dose may be repeated 4 hrly. In severe cases, dose may be administered by IV very
slowly
Contraindication: Pyrexia of unknown origin. Fever & pain associated w/ common
childhood disorders, tonsillitis, upper resp tract infections post-immunization reactions,
after tonsillectomy & other conditions. Prevention of febrile convulsion. Headache, cold,
sinusitis, muscle pain, arthritis & toothache
Action: produce analgesia by blocking pain impulses by inhibiting synthesis of
prostaglandin in CNS, relieves fever
Adverse Reactions: Hematological, skin & other allergic reactions
Nursing Measures:
 Use liquid form for children and patients who have difficulty swallowing.
 In children, don’t exceed five doses in 24 hours.
 Advise patient that drug is only for short term use and to consult the physician if
giving to children for longer than 5 days or adults for longer than 10 days.
 Advise patient or caregiver that many over the counter products contain
acetaminophen; be aware of this when calculating total dailydose.
 Warn patient that high doses or unsupervised long term use can cause liver
damage.
DIPENHYDRAMINE

Brand name: Benadryl

Classification: antihistamine
Dosage: 50mg/ml
Contraindication: Hay fever, urticaria, vasomotor rhinitis, angioneurotic edema, drug
sensitization, serum & penicillin reaction, contact dermatitis, atopic eczema, other
allergic dermatoses, pruritus, food sensitivity, parkinsonism, motion sickness.
Action: prevents histamine mediated responses, drug provides local anesthesia and
suppresses cough reflex
Adverse Reaction: CV and CNS effects, blood disorders, GI disturbances, anti-
muscarinic effects and allergic reactions.
Nursing Measures:
 Monitor carefully, assess for confusion, delirium, other anticholinergic side effects
and fall risk. Institute measures to prevent falls.
 Assess movement disorder before and after administration.
 Caution patient not to use oral OTC diphenhydramine products with any other
product containing diphenhydramine, including products used topically.
 It can cause excitation in children. Caution parents or caregivers about proper
dose calculation; overdosage, especially in infants and children, can cause
hallucinations, seizures or death Inform patient that this drug may cause dry
mouth. Frequent oral rinses, good oral hygiene, and sugarless gum or candy
may minimize this effect. Notify dentist if dry mouth persists for more than 2
weeks.
ERYTHROMYCIN

Brand Name: A/T/S

Classification: Macrolide antibiotic
Dosage: 5 un 1n 1m
Contraindication: Acute infections cause by sensitive strains of streptococcua
pneumonia, Adult: 1-2 g daily, increased up to 4 g daily for severe infections. Doses >1
g should be given in more than 2 divided doses..
Action: Erythromycin inhibits protein synthesis by irreversibly binding to the 50S
ribosomal subunit thus blocking the transpeptidation or translocation reactions of
susceptible organisms resulting in stunted cell growth.
Absorption: Variable and unreliable due to instability in GI environment; may be reduced
in the presence of food (as the stearate or base). Peak plasma concentrations after 1-4
hr.
Distribution: Widely distributed into body tissues and fluids, liver and spleen (high
concentrations), polymorphonuclear lymphocytes and macrophages; crosses the
placenta (5-20% foetal plasma concentrations) and enters the breast milk. Protein-
binding: 70-75% (as the base), 95% (as the propionate ester).
Metabolism: Hepatic (demethylation).
Excretion: Via the urine (2-5% of the oral dose, 12-15% of the IV dose); 1.5-2.5 hr
(elimination half-life).
Adverse Reaction: Rash, urticaria; nausea, vomiting, GI discomfort; ototoxicity; central
neurotoxicity; agranulocytosis; arrhythmias; pancreatitis.
Potentially Fatal: Hepatotoxicity, cholestatic jaundice; raised serum transaminases;
eosinophilia.
Nursing Measures:
 Take oral drug on an empty stomach, 1hour before or 2-3 hours after meals.
 May experience these side effects” stomach cramping, discomfort,
uncontrollable emotions, crying, laughing.
 Report severe diarrhea, severe nausea and vomiting , dark urine rash and
itching.
ANTIVENIN

Brand name: Polyvalent

Classification: antihistamine
Dosage: 10 to 50 mL (1 to 5 vials),
Containdication: For persons with coral snake envenomations threatening life or limb,
there are no contraindications to administration of Antivenin. However, administration to
persons known to be allergic to horse serum, either by history or as a result of an
appropriate sensitivity test, requires careful judgement and considerable experience in
the use of antivenoms of equine origin. Healthcare providers must be prepared to
manage severe, immediate allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) seen with Antivenins of
equine origin.
Action: Antivenin is standardized by its ability to neutralize in mice the toxic action of a
standard venom injected intravenously
Adverse Reaction: pain, discoloration, edema
Nursing Measures:
 Storage temperature not to exceed 98°F (37°C). AVOID FREEZING and
EXCESSIVE HEAT. Use immediately after rehydration. In case of anaphylactoid
reaction, administer epinephrine.
SULBACTAM

Brand name: Unasyn

Classification: Penicillin
Dosage: 750 mg
Contraindication: Treatment of a variety of infections due to susceptible organisms
including biliary tract infections, bronchitis, endocarditis, gastroenteritis, gonorrhea,
meningitis & otitis media.
Action: Bactericidal action against sensitive organisms inhibits synthesis of bacterial
cell wall, causing cell death.
Adverse Reaction: Mild diarrhea, nausea or vomiting, epigastralgia, cephalea; oral,
vaginal & intestinal candidiasis; colitis. Anaphylaxis, serum sickness-like reaction, skin
rash, urticaria or pruritis. Leukopenia or neutropenia, inj site pain, platelet dysfunction,
Clostridium difficile-associated colitis, convulsions.
Nursing Measures:
 Take drug around the clock
 Take the full course of therapy, do not stop taking the drug if you feel better
 Take the drug on an empty stomach
 May experience nausea and vomiting and GI upset
 Report pain or discomfort, usual bleeding of brusing, mouth sores, rash,hives,
itching and diarrhea.
OMEPRAZOLE

Brand name: Losec

Classification: Proton Pump inhibitor, Antisecretory drug
Dosage: 40 mg IVTT
Contraindication: Short term treatment of active duodenal ulcer, first line therapy in
treatment of heartburn or symptoms of GERD
Action: Gastric acid pump inhibitor, suppresses gastric acid secretion by specific
inhibition of the hydrogen-potassium ATPase enzyme system at the secretory surface of
the gastric parietal cell, block the final step of acid production.
Adverse Reaction: CNS: headache, dizziness, asthenia, vertigo. Dermatologic: Rash,
dry [Link]: Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting.
Nursing Measures:
 Take drug before meals. Swallow capsules whole
 Do not chew, do not crush
 This drug should be taken up to 8 weeks
 May experience headaches, nausea and vomiting
 Report severe headache, worsening of symptoms and fever and chills.
PYRIDOSTIGMINE

Brand name: Astinon

Classification:  Neuromuscular Disorder Drugs 

Dosage: 60 mg
Contraindication: Mechanical intestinal or urinary tract obstruction or peritonitis
Action: Treatment of myasthenia gravis, intestinal atony constipation, paroxysmal
tachycardia & sinus tachycardia.
Adverse Reaction: Increased salivation, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps,
diarrhea, rashes.
Nursing Measures:
 Report severe nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, rashes.