The document provides an overview of different drug classes including their indications, side effects, and nursing implications. It recommends learning drug classes first, then the side effects and nursing implications of each class, and finally any exceptions. Key classes covered include statins, SSRIs, PPIs, beta blockers, ARBs, diuretics, SSNRIs, Cox II inhibitors, atypical antipsychotics, calcium channel blockers, fibrates, ACE inhibitors, benzodiazepines, digoxin, warfarin, corticosteroids, narcotic analgesics, macrolide and penicillin antibiotics, NSAIDs, cephalosporins, tetracyclines, and sulfonylureas

1. Phamacology:Learn 3 things:... 1. Classifications... 2. Adverse /side effects... 3. Nursing implications
•learn classes first•then learn s/e & NI of each class•then learn the exceptions
Drug Ending Drug Category Drug Ending Drug Category
-zosin -operidol
-afil -azole
-tidine -caine
-barbital -olol
-triptan -pril
-cillin -tropin
-navir -azepam
-ane -zolam
-etine -ipramine
-philline -cycline
-triptyline -terol
-azine -oxin
Statins

2. Indication: Hyperlipidemia
Side Effects: Muscle cramps - liver problems - liver function tests required
Name Hint: End in Statin
SSRI
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibors
Indication: Depression
Side Effects: Insomnia, Erectile Disfunction, deperssion
Protein Pump Inhibitors
Indication: GERD (Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease)
Beta Blockers
Indication: Hypertension, Arrythmia
Side Effects: Difficulty breathing, lowered heart rate
Name Hint: End in lol
Antihistamines
Indication: Allergies
Side Effects: drowsiness (new agents such as Allegra, Claritin &Zyrtec have less)
ARB
Indication: Hypertension
Warning: Can increase potassium levels - do not take with potassium sparing drugs or supplements
Naming Hint: Sartan
Diuretics
Indications: Blood Pressure/Water Retention
Notes: Strongest (Lasix &Bumex) used for water retension, rest (HCTZ & Potassium sparing) used for BP.
Stronger = more Potassium loss
SSNRI

3. Selective Serotonin Norephinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor
Indication: Depression
Side effects: Insomnia, Erectile Disfunction, Depression
Cox II Inhibitor
Indication: Pain & Inflammation
Notes: same strength as NSAID drugs, but no blood thinning or stomach upset
More heart risk only Celebrex on market
Atypical Antipsychotics
Indication: Pyschosis, severe depression, bipolar disease
Side Effects: Drowsiness, weight gain
Calcium Channel Blockers
Indication: Hypertension
Notes: Short acting meds increase heart risk/cannot use in heart failure
Fibrates
Indication: Hyperlipidemia
Notes: Primary actions - increase HDL and lower Triglycerides
Require liver function tests
ACE Inhibitors
Indication: Hypertension
Notes: Kidney protective can increase Potassium (don't take with potassium sparing diruetics or suppliments)
Side Effects: dry hacking cough
Name Hint: end in "pril"
Sedative/Hypnotic
Benzodiazepam
Indication: Sleep/Anxiety
Side Effects: drowsiness, dizzyness

4. Digoxin
Indication: Congestive Heart Failure
Multiple drug interactions, often monitored by blood level, overdose symptoms include nausea/vomiting and heart arrythmias
Warfarin
Indication: Blood thinner
Notes: many drug interactions - 99% protein bound, regulated by testing clotting time
Contraindications: other blood thinners (including Aspirin and NSAIDs)
Counterated by Vitamin K
Corticosteroids (non muscle building)
Indication: inflamation including asthma, hives and auto immune diseases
Side effects: high dose/short term - increased appetite, moodiness, water retention: low dose/long term - diabetes, osteopiorsis, heart
disease, humped back, moon face
Narcotic Analgesic
Indication: Pain
Side Effects: drowsiness, dizzyness, respiratory suppression
Macrolide Antibiotic
Indication: Infection
Side Effects: upset stomach
Penicillin Antibiotic
Indication: Infection
Notes: High rate of allergy - can be life threatening
Very large therapuetic window
NSAID
Non-Steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drugs
Indication: Pain & Inflammation
Side Effects: stomach upset; also have some blood thinning properties and increase heart risk

5. Cephalosporin Antibiotic
Indication: Infection
Note: 1/3 of people allergic to penicillin will have a cross over allergy to cephalosporin’s
Tetracycline Antibiotic
Indication: Infection
Not stabile in dairy products or with iron
Should not be given to children as can cause discoloration of teeth
Sulfonylurea
Indication: Diabetes
Can cause hypoglycemia