Name of

Drug

Classificati
on

Mechanism
of Actions

Brand name:
magnesium
sulfate

Anticonvulsan
t

Cofactor of
many enzyme
systems
involved in
neurochemical
transmission
and muscular
excitability;
prevents or
controls
seizures by
blocking
neuromuscular
transmission;
attracts and
retains water in
the intestinal
lumen and
distends bowel
to promote
mass movement
and relieve
constipation

Dosage/Route
/ Frequency
2.5g through
IV
5g through IM
at each
buttocks q6o

Indications

IV or IM:
preeclampsi
a or
eclampsia
To correct or
prevent
hypomagne
semia in
patients or
parenteral
nutrition

Contraindicatio
ns

Contraindicated
with allergy to
magnesium
products; heart
block,
myocardial
damage; fecal
impaction,
intestinal and
biliary tract
obstruction,
Do not give
during 2 hours
preceding
delivery
because of risk
of magnesium
toxicity to the
neonate

Adverse
Effects / Side
Effects

SLE: syndrome
joint-swelling,
fever)
reaction,
anemia,
agranulocytosi
s, hepatitis,
glomeruloneph
ritis, acute
renal failure.

Nursing
Responsibility
Assess possibility
for interactions w/
other drugs or
herbal products
the patient may be
taking especially
anything that may
impact blood
pressure before
start treatment.

Monitor
patients closely
during and
following
infusions.
Observe
orthostatic
precautions.

Name of
Drug

Classificati
on

Mechanism
of Actions

Indications

Contraindicatio
ns

Adverse
Effects / Side
Effects

Nursing
Responsibility

Generic
name:
hydralazine
Brand name:
Apresoline
Dosage:
5mg
Frequency:
prn
Route of
administratio
n:
Iv-infusion

Antihypertensive

Direct acting
peripheral
vasodilator w/c
relaxes smooth
muscles,
reduces blood
pressure w/
reflex increase
in heart rate,
stroke volume,
cardiac output.

Essential
hypertension,
severe
essential
hypertension,
preeclampsia,
eclampsia and
heart failure.

Hypersensitivity
idiopathic system
lupus
erythematosus
and related
disease. Severe
tachycardia and
heart failure w/ a
high cardiac
output.

CNS:
weakness,
dizziness,
fainting
CV:
palpitations
GI: excessive
bowel activity
Metabolic:
Magnesium
intoxication;
hypocalcemia
with tetany

SLE: syndrome
joint-swelling,
fever) reaction,
anemia,
agranulocytosis
, hepatitis,
glomerulonephr
itis, acute renal
failure.