Pharmacology Key Concepts – Exam #1
Please review Course Content for Modules 1, 2 & 3: ALL Reading Material, Power Points (some
with Voice Over),
... [Show More] Video (youTube), Medication Trackers, and Lab material , etc could be subject
to Testing.
1. Know Classes of Medications – Examples within the Class, Indications (What the
medication is used for & what does it do to the body), Side Effects & Contraindications
(Study drugs to know application of nursing process: assessment, diagnosis, plan,
interventions, and evaluation.)
Class of Medication Examples - Generic
Name
Use/Indication Side Effects/Contraindications
SSRI Paroxetine
Citalopram
Escitalopram
Fluoxetine
Sertraline
Nefazodone
Fluvoxamine
Most Common &
Safest Antidepressant
Medication Class.
Additionally used in
PTSD, PMS & Pain
Management
Need to take for WEEKS to
obtain a therapeutic level.
Tremors, Weight Loss
or more common Weight
Gain, Drowsiness, Dry
mouth, Insomnia,
Nervousness, agitation or
restlessness
GI Upset, Dizziness.
Sexual Dysfunction
Serotonin syndrome
(agitation, confusion, fever,
rigidity).
SSNRI Venlafaxine
Desvenlafaxine
Duloxetine
Often used when
depression & anxiety
coexist. SNRIs are
potent inhibitors of
the reuptake of seroto
nin and norepinephrin
e
SNRIs and SSRIs both act
similarly to elevate serotonin
levels & share many of the
same side effects. See above
SSRI Side Effects. Elevation of
norepinephrine can increase
anxiety, pulse, and blood
pressure.
Agitation, hallucinations &
somnolence may signal
serotonin syndrome
Norepinephrine~Seratoni
n~Dopamine
re-uptake inhibitor
Bupropion
Known as Wellbutrin or
Zyban
Antidepressant & used
to combat addictions
(smoking Cessation)
Linked to agitation, tremor &
GI distress
MAOI Phenalzine
Tranylcypromine
Isocarboxazid
Antidepressant -last
resort due to potential
for side effects.
Foods that contain Tyramine
(Party Foods) can cause a
HYPERTENSIVE CRISIS!! DO
NOT mix with other
medications (Rx or OTC).
Orthostatic hypotension
Insomnia
Loss of libido
Palpitations
Headaches
GI Upset.
TCA Amitriptyline
Imipramine
Clomipramine
Nortriptyline
Antidepressant
Neuropathy (Nerve
Pain)
Headaches
Anti-cholinergic effects.
Contraindicated in suicidal
patients, glaucoma, BPH
Watch bowel, bladder &
water intake
Fall precautions
Neuroleptics - AntiEpileptic / AntiConvulsants
LITHIUM (bipolar)
Therapeutic range 0.5
—1.5mEq/L
Valproic Acid (bipolar)
Therapeutic range 50—
110 ug/ml
Carbamazepine
(bipolar & neuropathy)
Safe level 4—12
mcg/ml
Lamotrigine (bipolar)
Gabapentin
(neuropathy)
Topiramate
(neuropathy and
migraines)
Pregabalin (Pain &
neuropathy)
Hydantoins
Phenytoin
dantrolene
To PREVENT Seizures.
These medications are
also used in Mood
Disorders (Bipolar &
Borderline Personality
Disorder) &
occasionally for
Neuropathy Pain or
Headaches. They
enhance GABA.
Weight Gain, Hyperglycemia,
Pregnancy Class D, Decreases
the efficacy of Birth Control
Pills, Sedation, Orthostatic
Hypotension. Many have a
very narrow window or range
of use. Closely monitoring of
the lab range & liver function
may be required.
With some (like Dilantin) over
growth of the gingiva can
occur causing bleeding gums
& gum disease. Oral Care
must be taught to decrease
this effect.
Neuroleptics - AntiPsychotics
Know the Use of Cogentin
& Benadryl with Severe
Side Effects of this Class
of Drug.
Typical
Haloperidol
Chlorpromazi
ne
Fluphenazine
Molindone
Thiothixene
Trifluoperazin
e
Loxapine
Atypical
Risperidone.
Olanzapine.
Quetiapine.
Ziprasidone.
Aripiprazole.
Paliperidone.
Lurasidone
Clozapine
Dopamine blocker
Alters perception &
used to manage
psychosis
(delusions, hallucinati
ons & paranoia with
schizophrenia and bip
olar disorder) [Show Less]