Most Commonly Used Medication Documentation
Category Class Body
Syste
m
Impact
ed
Generic
Name/Brand Name
Most Common
Side Effects
Mechanism of
action at cellular
level
Nursing Considerations
BP
Agents
ACE
Inhibitor
CV
Captopril/Capoten
Enalapril/ Vasotec
Lisinopril/ Prinivil
Cough
Angioedema
Hyperkalemia
Causes vasodilation
decreasing heart
workload and
lowering blood
pressure.
Monitor blood pressure, avoid potassium
rich foods, and do not use if pregnant.
Beta blocker
CV
Atenolol/ Tenormin
Metoprolol/
Lopressor
Propranolol/ Inderal
Bronchospasm
Bradycardia
Mask hypoglycemia
Slow heart rate and
reduce force in
which the heart
contracts lowering
blood pressure.
Monitor heart rate and blood pressure.
Monitor blood sugar.
Calcium
Channel
Blockers
CV
Amlodipine/ Norvasc
Diltiazem/ Cardizem
Nifedipine /
Procardia
Verapamil/ Calan
Peripheral edema
Flushing
Reflex Tachycardia
Headache
Causes arterial
vasodilation, lowers
blood pressure.
Monitor blood pressure.
Avoid grapefruit
Digitalis
CV
Digoxin/ Lanoxin Bradycardia
Gi distress
Vision changes
Increases
strength of heart
contraction while
decrerasing heart
rate.
Monitor digoxin levels
Check heart rate before giving, hold if
below 60.
Monitor potassium levels.
Diuretics
Loop
CV
Furosemide/ Lasix
Increased urine
Low potassium
Ototoxicity
Block transport of
sodium and water
at the ascending
loop of Henley in
the kidneys.
Removes access
fluid.
Daily weights
Avoid giving in the evening
Monitor output
Monitor potassium levels
K+ sparing
Spironolactone/
Aldactone
Hyperkalemia
Hypotension
Increased urination
Removes access
fluid.
Avoid potassium rich foods
Monitor blood pressure
Monitor output
Daily weights
Thiazides
Hydrochlorothiazide/
HCTZ
Increased urination
Hypokalemia
Hyponatremia
Hyperglycemia
Gout
Photosensitivity
Remove access
fluid.
Monitor output
Weigh daily
Monitor kidney function
Monitor potassium and sodium levels
Wear sunscreen
Electrolyte
replacement
System
ic
Potassium Chloride Hyperkalemia
Arrythmia
Skin rash
Abdominal pain
Increase
potassium levels
Monitor potassium levels
Report rash
Anti-
Coagulants
Anti-
Coagulant
Blood
Warfarin/ Coumadin
Bleeding
Gi upset
Hepatitis
Antagonizes
vitamin k
preventing
formation of
clotting factors.
Monitor PT INR levels
Monitor for bleeding
Vitamin K is the antidote
Anti-
Coagulant
Heparin (IV/SQ)
Lovenox (SQ)
Bleeding
Heparin induced
thrombocytopenia
Inhibit thrombus
formation
Monitor APTT levels
Monitor for bleeding
Protamine sulfate is the antidote
Analgesic
Narcotics
CNS
Hydromorphone/
Dilaudid
Morphine / MS
Contin
Oxycodone/
Oxycontin
Codeine/ Codeine
Respiratory depression
Constipation
Addiction
Itching
Reduce pain
levels
Intake fiber
Avoid driving
Monitor pain levels
Combo
CNS
Oxycodoneacetamin
ophen/ Percocet
Hydrocodoneacetam
inophen/ Vicodin
codeineacetaminoph
en / Tylenol #3
Respiratory depression
Constipation
Addiction
Reduce pain
levels
Intake fiber
Avoid driving
Monitor pain levels
Non-
narcotic
CNS
Acetaminophen /
Tylenol
Aspirin/ ASA
Headache
Liver toxicity
Antipyretic
Reduce pain
Avoid drinking
Monitor for bleeding
Non-
steroidal anti-
inflammatory
(NSAID)
CNS
Ibuprofen/ Motrin or
Advil
Indomethacin/
Indocin
Naproxsyn/ Aleve
Ketorolac/ Toradol
Headache
Stomach ulcer
Upset stomach
Reduce
inflammation
Reduce pain
Monitor for bleeding
Antianxiety
Anti-anxiety CNS
Alprazolam/ Xanax
Diazepam / Valium
Lorazepam/ Ativan
Drowsiness
CNS depression
Respiratory depression
Decrease anxiety Avoid in narrow angle glaucoma, avoid
pregnancy, monitor vitals, monitor for
signs of dependence.
Anticonvulsa
nt Anticonvulsa
nt
CNS
Carbamazepine/
Tegretol
Gabapentin/
Neurontin
Levetiracetam/
Keppra
Phenytoin/ Dilantin
Sedation
Drowsiness
Treat seizures Avoid drinking
Avoid driving
Antidepressa
nt Selective
Serotonin
Reuptake
Inhibitors
(SSRI)
CNS
Citalopram / Celexa
Fluoxetine / Prozac
Paroxetine/ Paxil
Sexual dysfunction
Weight gain
Serotonin syndrome
Treat depression
and anxiety
Avoid MAOIs
Avoid St johns wort
Avoid grapefruit
Anti-
Parkinson
CNS Carbidopa
Levodopa/ Sinemet
Psychiatric disturbances
Orthostatic hypotension
Akinetic Crisis
Treat Parkinson’s
disease
Do not abruptly stop
Get up slowly to avoid falling
Antipsychoti
c
CNS
Quetiapine/
Seroquel
Haloperidol/ Haldol
Rhabdomylosis
Tartive dyskinesia
Weight gain
Confusion
Treat behavioral
problems
Monitor for suicide intentions
For fall risk
Avoid alcohol
Avoid abruptly stopping
Gastric
Acid
Reducers
Proton
Pump
Inhibitors
(PPI)
GI
Pantoprazole/
Protonix
Omeprazole/
Prilosec
Fracture risk
Risk for infection
Treat GERD and
peptic ulcer
disease
Inhibit stomach
gastric acid
secretion
Take Vitamin D and calcium
supplements
Histamine
Blockers
(H2)
GI
Cimetadine/
Tagamet
Famotidine/ Pepcid
Ranitidine/ Zantec
Hepatotoxicity
Drug interactions
Treat stomach
ulcers and GERD
Monitor liver enzymes
Anti-
Nausea
GI
Ondansetron/ Zofran
Prochlorperazine/
Compazine
Promethazine/
Phenergan
Dizziness
Extrapyramidal
symptoms
seizures
For nausea Give 30 minutes before meals
Avoid alcohol
Laxatives GI Docusate/ Colace
Sennosides/
Senokot
Psyllium/ Metamucil
Increase bowel
movements
Soften stools Monitor for diarrhea
Resp. Bronchial
dilators
Resp. Albuterol/ Ventolin
Albuterol-
ipratropium/
Combivent
Nervousness
Tremor
Palpitations
Used for asthma
or copd
Bind to beta 2
receptors in the
lungs
Increase fluids
Suck candy for dry mouth
Monitor for peanut allergy
Bronch.
Dilator &
Steroid
Combo
Resp. Fluticasone-
salmeterol / Advair
Headache
Nasal congestion
Decrease immune
response
bronchospasm
Prophylactic
asthma treatment
Monitor respiratory status
Use bronchodilator first
Stop smoking
Monitor for fracture
Inhaled
Steroids
Resp. Triamcinalone /
Azmacort
Fluticasone/ Flovent
Headache
Sore throat
thrush
Decrease
inflammation
locally
Rinse mouth afterwards
Steroids
System
ic
Dexamethasone /
Decadron
Hydrocortisone/
Solucortef
Prednisone/
Deltasone
Immunosuppression
Elevated glucose levels
Edema
Hypertension
Cushing’s syndrome
osteoporosis
Reduce
inflammation in
the body
Monitor for infection
Monitor glucose levels
Daily weights
Take with food
Monitor sodium and potassium level
Do not stop abruptly
Anti-
Infectives
Anti-fungal System
ic
Fluconazole/
Diflucan
Nystatin/ Mycostatin
Gi upset
Steven Johnson
syndrome
Given for candida
infections
Take with food
Cephalosporin System
ic
Cephalexin/ Keflex Fatigue
Super infection
Gi upset
For grand positive
infections
Do not give in pregnancy
Monitor for loose stools
Give with ffood
Penicillins System
ic
Amoxicillin/ Amoxil
Ampicillin/ Polycillin
Allergic reaction
Oral contraceptive
ineffective
Upset stomach
Destroy bacterial
cell wall
check for allergy before giving
Use additional contraception
Prepare to administer epinephrine
Take with food
Sulfonamide System
ic
Sulfamethoxazole &
trimethoprim/
Bactrim
Sunburn
Kidney stones
Stop folic acid
synthesis
Use sunscreen
Take folic acid
Assess for allergy
Increase fluid
Tetracyclines System
ic
Doxycycline / Doxy
Tetracycline/
Tetracyn
Photosensitivity
Tooth discoloration
Hypercalcemia
teratogenic
Treat wide variety
of bacterial
infections
Use sunscreen
Do not give to children
Do not take with milk/calcium
Avoid antacids
Thyroid
Hormone
System
ic
Levothyroxine/
Synthroid
insomnia To treat low
thyroid levels
Give in the morning
Muscle-
skeletal
Agents
Arthritis Joints Leflunomide/
Cerebrex
Risk for MI or stroke
Nephrotoxicity
Edema
tinnitus
Reduces
inflammation
Monitor bun and creatinine levels
Monitor i/o
Daily weights
Take with food
Gout Alloprim
Colchicine
Gi distress Anti-inflammatory
to treat gout
Take with food
Muscle
relaxants
Muscle
Cyclobenzaprine/
Flexeril
methocarbamol/
Robaxin
Dizziness
Sedation
Relaxes muscles,
reduce muscle
spasticity
Avoid driving
Get up slow
No alcohol
