epinephrine / Adrenaline

Classes: adrenergic / bronchodilator / vasopressor

Action: bronchodilation, vasoconstriction,

maintenance of HR & BP
Indication: reversible airway obstruction
(asthma, COPD; anaphylaxis)
Comments: warn Pt about SE
Side Effects: Nervousness, Restlessness, Tremor,
Angina, Arrhytmias, HTN, Tachycardia

1
 albuterol / Proventil
Classes: adrenergic / bronchodilator

Action: relaxes airway smooth muscle causing

bronchodilation
Indication: bronchospasm (asthma, COPD, etc.)
Comments: Assess lungs; wait 1 minute
between inhalations.
Side Effects:Nervousness, Restlessness,
Tremor, Chest pain, Palpitations

2
 metoprolol / Lopressor
Classes: beta blocker / antihypertensive /
antianginal / antiarrythmic
Action: ↓ ♥ response to sympathetic nerve
stimulation resulting in ↓ HR &
↓BP
Indication: HTN, angina, arrhythmias, MI
Comments: teach Pt/family to check P &
BP
SE: Fatigue, Weakness, ED, Bradycarida,
CHF, Pulmonary Edema 3
 pyridostigmine / Mestinon
Class: cholingergic / antimyasthenic
Action: ↓ destruction of
acetylcholine (↑ effectiveness)
Indication: Myasthenia Gravis,
anticholinergic overdose (i.e. pesticide
poisoning)
Side Effect: Seizures, Bronchospasm,
Excessive Secretions, Bradycardia,
Abdominal Cramps, N/V/D.
4
 atropine / Atropine Sulfate
Class: anticholinergic / antiarrhythmic

Action: ↓acetylcholine action in PNS

Indication: preop (↓ oral & resp secretions),
bradycardia & pesticide poisoning
Comments: classic anticholinergic drying
effects: (dry mouth, urinary hesitancy,
constipation), drowsiness, blurred vision

5
 phenobarbital / Luminal
Classes: barbiturates / sedative-hypnotic /
anti-seizure
Action: depresses CNS
Ind: pre-op, seizures
Comments: wean off gradually, tolerance &
physical dependency may occur
TR: 10-40
SE: Hangover, Laryngospasm, Anioedema,
Serum Sickness
6
 midazolam / Versed
lorazapam / Ativan
Classes: benzodiazepines / anxiolytic / sedative-
hypnotic
Indications:
Versed - pre-op, conscious sedation
Ativan - anxiety, insomnia
Action: selective CNS depression
Comments: tolerance may develop & suddenly
stopping → sleep disturbances
SE: Apnea, Laryngospasm, resp depression, cardiac
arrest, phlebitis, dizziness, drowsiness, lethargy 7
 zolpidem / Ambien
Class: misc. sedative/hypnotic
Action: selective CNS depression
Ind: insomnia
Comments: fewer SE
than others
SE: Anaphylactic reaction

8
amantadine hydrochloride / Symmetrel
Classes: antiparkinsonian / antiviral
Action: ↑ dopamine’s effectiveness (helps restore
balance in neurotransmitters),
also prevents penetration of flu virus into host
cell
Ind: Parkinson’s, influenza A
Note: May take up to 2 wks for therapeutic effect.
Drug holiday may be needed q 2-3 mo
SE: Ataxia, dizziness, insomnia, hypotension,
mottling

9
 carbidopa, levodopa / Sinemet
Class: antiparkinsonian / dopamine agonist
Action: enhances delivery of dopamine to
brain cells, relieves tremors & rigidity
Ind: Parkinson’s disease
Comments: takes up to 6 mo for max effect, Pt
may need “drug holiday” q few years to
restore effectiveness2 agents work together
SE: Involuntary movements, N/V

10
diphenhydramine hydrochloride /
Benadryl
Classes: anticholinergic / antihistamine /
antitussive
Action: ↓ histamine response; in
Parkinson’s acts to ↓ the hyperstimulation
caused by relative ↑ in acetylcholine
Ind: tremor & drooling r/t Parkinson’s
disease, allergy Sx, cough
SE: Drowsiness, anorexia, dry mouth

11
 diazepam / Valium

Classes: anti-anxiety / sedative-hypnotic / anti-

convulsant / skeletal muscle relaxant /
benzodiazepine
Action: CNS depression, ↓anxiety, ↓ synaptic
pathways
Ind: anxiety, pre-op sedation, status epilepticus,
insomnia, skeletal muscle spasm
SE: Dizziness, drowsiness, lethargy

12
 alprazolam / Xanax
Classes: anti-anxiety / benzodiazepine

Action: CNS depression, ↓ anxiety

Ind: anxiety, panic disorders
SE: Diziness, drowsiness, lethargy

13
 amitriptyline / Elavil
Class: tricyclic antidepressant
Action: blocks reuptake of neurotransmitters, but
exact antidepressant action is unknown.
Ind: depression
Comments: requires several weeks for max effect,
initial sedation will diminish, has anti-cholinergic
SE
SE: Lethargy, sedation, blurred vision, dry eyes, dry
mouth, hypotenstion, constipation, arrhythmias

14
 sertraline / Zoloft

Class: selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI)

Action: ↓reuptake & destruction of serotonin

Ind: depression, OCD
Comments: takes 2-4 weeks for max effect. Doesn’t
have anticholinergic & ♥ effects like the tricyclics
SE: Dizziness, drowsiness, fatigue, HA, insomnia,
N/D, Dry mouth, sexual dysfxn, tremor, increase
sweating

15
 risperidone / Risperdal
olanzapine / Zyprexa
Class: atypical antipsychotic
Action: ↓ effects of dopamine & serotonin
Ind: Mgt of psychotic disorders, psychotic Sx
associated w/ dementia
Comments: ↓ EPS than “typical” antipsychotics
SE: Neurolyptic malignant syndrome, aggro
behavior, HA, increased dreams and sleep,
insomnia, sedation, constipation.
16
 haloperidal / Haldol

Class: typical antipsychotic

Action: ↓ effects of dopamine in the brain
Ind: Mgt of psychotic disorders, psychotic Sx
associated w/ dementia
Comments: More EPS side effects than “atypical”
antipsychotics
SE: seizures, EPS, blurred vision, dry eyes,
constipation, neuroleptic malignant syndrom,
constipation
17
 Vistaril / hydroxyzine

Class: antihistamine, Misc antianxiety

Action: acts in CNS, produces sedation,
relieves nausea, anxiety, allergies and has
anticholinergic and antispasmodic activity
Ind: “multipurpose” drug used to Tx anxiety,
N/V, itching, allergies and to potentiate
opiates
SE: Drowsiness, dry mouth, pain
18