Drug Name

Dose/ Frequency/ Route

Classification
Mechanism of Action
Specific Indication

Contraindications

Side Effects

Nursing Responsibilities

Amoxil (Amoxicillin)
250500 mg, every 8 hours, PO
Anti-infective
Antiulcer agents
Binds to bacterial cell wall, causing cell
death.
Skin and skin structure infections
Otitis media
Sinusitis
Respiratory infections
Genitourinary infections
Endocarditis prophylaxis
Postexposure inhalational anthrax
prophylaxis
Management of ulcer disease due to
Helicobacter pylori
Hypersensitivity to:
Penicillin
Tablets
for
oral
suspension
(DisperMox)
Seizures (High doses)
Diarrhea
Nausea and vomiting
Increase liver enzymes
Rashes
Urticaria
Blood dyscrasias
Observe for signs and symptoms of
anaphylaxis
(rash,
pruritus,
laryngeal edema, wheezing). Notify
health care professional immediately
if these occur.
Monitor bowel function. Diarrhea,
abdominal cramping, fever, and
bloody stools should be reported to
health care professional promptly as
a sign of pseudomembranous colitis.
May begin up to several weeks

following cessation of therapy.

Drug Name
Dose/ Frequency/ Route
Classification
Mechanism of Action
Specific Indication

Contraindications

Side Effects

Nursing Responsibilities

Zithromax (Azithromycin)
500 mg, once daily, PO
Anti-infective
Inhibits protein synthesis at the level of
the 50s bacterial ribosome.
Upper respiratory tract infection
Chronic bronchitis
Tonsillitis
Lower respiratory tract infection
Bronchitis
Pneumonia
Hypersensitivity to:
Azithromycin
Erythromycin
Other macrolide anti-infective
Abdominal pain
Diarrhea
Nausea
Observe for signs and symptoms of
anaphylaxis
(rash,
pruritus,
laryngeal edema, wheezing) notify
the physician immediately if these
occur.

Drug Name
Dose/ Frequency/ Route
Classification
Mechanism of Action
Specific Indication

Contraindications
Side Effects

Nursing Responsibilities

Ciprofloxacin (Cipro)
500 mg, every 12 hours, PO
Anti-infective
Inhibit bacterial DNA synthesis by
inhibiting DNA gyrase.
Urinary tract and gynaecologic
infections
Gonorrhoea
Prostatitis
Respiratory tract infection including
sinusitis
Skin and skin structure infections
Bone and joint infections
Infectious diarrhea
Intra-abdominal infections
Perioperative prophylaxis
Hospital acquired pneumonia
Febrile neutropenia
Post
exposure
treatment
of
inhalation anthrax
Hypersensitivity
Dizziness
Drowsiness
Headache
Insomnia
Abdominal pain
Diarrhea
Nausea
Anaphylaxis
Observe patient for signs and
symptoms of anaphylaxis (rash,
pruritus,
laryngeal
edema,
wheezing).
Discontinue
drug
and
notify
physician immediately if these
problems occur.

Drug Name
Dose/ Frequency/ Route
Classification
Mechanism of Action
Specific Indication

Contraindications

Side Effects

Nursing Responsibilities

Doxycycline (Adoxa)
200 mg, once daily, PO
Anti-infective
Inhibits bacterial protein synthesis at the
level of the 30s bacterial ribosome.
Gonorrhoea and syphilis
Prevention
of
exacerbation
of
chronic bronchitis
Anthrax
Acne
Hypersensitivity to:
Some products contain alcohol
Pregnancy
Lactation
Dizziness
Vestibular reactions
Diarrhea
Nausea and vomiting
Photosensitivity
Assess patient for infection (vital
signs,
appearance
of
wound,
sputum, urine, and stool; WBC) at
beginning
of
and
throughout
therapy.

Drug Name
Dose/ Frequency/ Route
Classification
Mechanism of Action
Specific Indication

Contraindications
Side Effects

Nursing Responsibilities

Cefuroxime (Ceftin)
250 to 500 mg, every 8 hours, PO
Anti-infective
Bind to bacterial cell wall membrane,
causing cell death.
Respiratory tract infections
Skin and skin structure infection
Bone and joint infections
Urinary tract and gynaecologic
infections
Meningitis
Otitis media
Perioperative prophylaxis
Hypersensitivity to penicillin
Diarrhea (jaundice)
Nausea and vomiting
Pain
Observe patient for signs and
symptoms of anaphylaxis (rash,
pruritus,
laryngeal
edema,
wheezing).
Discontinue
drug
and
notify
physician immediately if these
problems occur.

Drug Name
Dose/ Frequency/ Route
Classification
Mechanism of Action
Specific Indication

Contraindications
Side Effects

Nursing Responsibilities

Penicillin V (Veetids)
125 to 500 mg, every 6 to 8 hours, PO
Anti-infective
Bind to bacterial cell wall, resulting in cell
death.
Pneumococcal pneumonia
Streptococcal pharyngitis
Syphilis
Gonorrhoea
Interococcal infection
Prevention of rheumatic fever
Lyme disease
Previous hypersensitivity to penicillin
Diarrhea
Epigastric disease
Nausea and vomiting
Rashes
Pain
Observe patient for signs and
symptoms of anaphylaxis (rash,
pruritus,
laryngeal
edema,
wheezing).
Discontinue
drug
and
notify
physician immediately if these
problems occur.

Drug Name
Dose/ Frequency/ Route
Classification

Mechanism of Action
Specific Indication

Contraindications

Side Effects

Nursing Responsibilities

Clarithromycin (Biaxin)
250 mg, every 12 hours, PO
Agents for atypical mycobacterium
Anti-infective
Anti-ulcer agents
Inhibits protein synthesis at the level of
the 50s bacterial ribosome.
Respiratory tract infections
Streptococcal pharyngitis
Sinusitis bronchitis
Pneumonia
Hypersensitivity to:
Clarithromycin
Erythromycin
Other macrolide anti-infective
Abdominal pain or discomfort
Abnormal taste
Diarrhea
Dyspepsia
Nausea
Assess patient for infection (vital
signs,
appearance
of
wound,
sputum, urine, and stool; WBC) at
beginning
of
and
throughout
therapy.

Drug Name
Dose/ Frequency/ Route
Classification
Mechanism of Action

Specific Indication
Contraindications
Side Effects

, 5Nursing Responsibilities

Zafirlukast (Accolate)
20 mg, twice daily, PO
Anti-asthmatics
Bronchodilators
- Binds
to
beta
2
adrenergic
receptors in airway smooth muscle,
leading to activation of adenyl
cyclase and increased levels of
cyclic-3,
5adenosinemonophosphate (cAMP).
- Increases in cAMP activate kinases,
which inhibit the phosphorylation of
myosin and decrease intracellular
calcium.
- Decreased
intracellular
calcium
relaxes smooth muscle airways.
Long-term control agent in the
management of asthma.
Hypersensitivity
Lactation
Headache
Dizziness
Weakness
Abdominal pain
Diarrhea
Dyspepsia
Nausea and vomiting
Back pain
Extended release tablets should be
swallowed whole; do not break,
crush, or chew.

Drug Name
Dose/ Frequency/ Route
Classification
Mechanism of Action
Specific Indication

Contraindications

Side Effects

Nursing Responsibilities

Albuterol (Proventil)
2 to 4 mg, 3 to 4 times daily, PO
Bronchodilators
Relaxation of airway smooth muscle with
subsequent bronchodilator.
Used as a bronchodilator to control
and
prevent
reversible
airway
obstruction caused by asthma or
COPD.
Hypersensitivity to:
Adrenergic amines
Fluorocarbons
Nervousness
Restlessness
Tremor
Chest pain
Palpitations
Extended release tablets should be
swallowed whole; do not break,
crush, or chew.

Drug Name
Dose/ Frequency/ Route
Classification
Mechanism of Action

Specific Indication
Contraindications

Side Effects

Nursing Responsibilities

Ipatropium (Atrovent)
1 to 4 inhalations, 3 to 4 times daily,
Inhalation
Anti-cholinergic
Inhibits cholinergic receptors in bronchial
smooth muscle, resulting in decreased
concentrations
of
cyclic
guanosine
monophosphate (cGMP).
Maintenance therapy of reversible
airway obstruction due to COPD.
Hypersensitivity to:
Ipratropium
Atropine
Belladonna alkaloids
Bromide
Dizziness
Headache
Nervousness blurred vision
Sore throat
Epistaxis
Nasal dryness
Bronchospasm
Cough
Hypotension
Palpitations
Assess for allergy to atropine and
belladonna alkaloids; patients with
these allergies may also be sensitive
to ipratropium.
Assess for peanut or soy allergy
(inhaler contains soy lecithin).
Assess respiratory status (rate,
breathe sounds, degree of dyspnea,
pulse) before administration and at
peak of medication.

Consult physician about alternative

medication if sever bronchospasm is
present; onset of action is too slow
for patients in acute distress.
If
paradoxical
bronchospasm
(wheezing)
occurs,
withhold
medication and notify physician
immediately.
Drug Name
Dose/ Frequency/ Route
Classification
Mechanism of Action
Specific Indication

Contraindications

Side Effects

Nursing Responsibilities

Triamcinolene (Azmacort)
40 to 80 mcg, twice daily, Inhalation
Anti-asthmatics
Corticosteroids
Potent, locally acting anti-inflammatory
and immune modifier.
Asthma (maintenance/ prophylactic;
long-term control)
May decrease the need for systemic
corticosteroids
and delay lung
damage associated with asthma.
Some products contain:
Chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) propellants
Alcohol
Propylene
Should be avoided in patients with
known hypersensitivity
Headache
Dysphonia
Hoarseness
Oropharyngeal fungal infections
Monitor respiratory status and lung
sounds.
Pulmonary function tests may be
assessing periodically during and for
several months after a transfer from
systemic
to
inhalation
corticosteroids.

Drug Name
Dose/ Frequency/ Route
Classification
Mechanism of Action
Specific Indication

Contraindications

Side Effects

Nursing Responsibilities

Cefprozil (Cefzil)
250 to 500 mg, every 8 hours, PO
Anti-infective
Bind to bacterial cell wall membrane,
causing cell death.
Respiratory tract infections
Skin and skin structure infections
Bone and joints infections
Hypersensitivity to:
Cephalosporin
Penicillin
Diarrhea
Jaundice
Nausea a
Vomiting
Rashes
Observe patient for signs and
symptoms of anaphylaxis (rash,
pruritus,
laryngeal
edema,
wheezing).
Discontinue medication and notify
physician
immediately
if
the
symptoms occur.
Keep epinephrine, an anti-histamine,
and resuscitation equipment close
by in the event of an anaphylactic
reaction.

Drug Name
Dose/ Frequency/ Route
Classification
Mechanism of Action
Specific Indication

Contraindications
Side Effects
Nursing Responsibilities

Erythromycin (Erythrocin)
250 mg, every 8 hours, PO
Anti-infective
Suppresses protein synthesis at the level
of the 50s bacterial ribosome.
Upper and lower respiratory tract
infections
Otitis media
Skin and skin structure infections
Pertussis
Diphtheria
Erythrasma
Intestinal amebiasis
Pelvic inflammatory disease
Non-gonococcal urethritis
Syphilis
Legionnaires disease
Rheumatic fever
Hypersensitivity
Nausea
Vomiting
Do not crush or chew delayed
release capsules or tablets; swallow
whole.

Drug Name
Dose/ Frequency/ Route
Classification
Mechanism of Action

Specific Indication

Contraindications
Side Effects

Nursing Responsibilities

Formoterol (Foradil)
1 capsule, every 12 hours, Inhalation
Bronchodilator
Produces accumulation of cyclic adenosine
monophosphate (cAMP) at beta adrenergic
receptors, resulting in relaxation of airway
smooth muscle.
Long term maintenance treatment of
asthma
Prevention of bronchospasm in
reversible
obstructive
airways
disease
Long
term
management
of
bronchoconstriction associated with
chronic
obstructive
pulmonary
disease and emphysema
Hypersensitivity
Acute attack of asthma
Dizziness
Fatigue
Headache
Insomnia
Malaise
Nervousness
Observe
for
paradoxical
bronchospasm (wheezing).
If
condition
occurs,
withhold
medication and notify physician
immediately.
Monitor
patient
for
sings
of

anaphylaxis
(dyspnea,
rash,
laryngeal
edema)
throughout
therapy.

Drug Name
Dose/ Frequency/ Route
Classification
Mechanism of Action
Specific Indication

Contraindications
Side Effects
Nursing Responsibilities

Salmeterol (Serevent)
50 mcg, twice daily, Inhalation
Bronchodilator
Produces accumulation of cyclic adenosine
monophosphate
(cAMP)
at
beta
2
adrenergic receptors.
Long term control of reversible
airway obstruction due to asthma
and for maintenance treatment of
asthma
and
prevention
bronchospasm
Prevention of exercise induced
asthma
Maintenance treatment to prevent
bronchospasm in chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease and emphysema
Hypersensitivity
Acute attack of asthma
Headache
Assess lung sounds, pulse, and
blood pressure before administration
and periodically during therapy.
Monitor pulmonary function tests
before
initiating
therapy
and
periodically
during
course
to
determine effectiveness.

Drug Name
Dose/ Frequency/ Route
Classification
Mechanism of Action
Specific Indication

Contraindications

Side Effects
Nursing Responsibilities

Amoxicillin (Trimox)
250 to 500 mg, every 8 hours, PO
Anti-infective
Anti-ulcer agents
Binds to bacterial cell wall, causing cell
death.
Skin and skin structure infections
Otitis media
Sinusitis
Respiratory infections
Genitourinary infections
Septicaemia
Hypersensitivity to:
Penicillin
Tablet for oral suspension contain
aspartame
Avoid patient with phenylketonuria
Diarrhea
Rashes
Observe for signs and symptoms of
anaphylaxis
(rash,
pruritus,
laryngeal edema, wheezing).
Notify physician immediately of
these occur.

SOURCES:

http://www.pharmacy-and-drugs.com/Lung_diseases/all_reviews.html
www.drugGuide.com
Davis Drug Guide For Nurses 9th Edition