Drug Name

Classifications

Action

Indication

LOSARTAN
POTASSIU
M
(lo-sar'tan)

cardiovascular
agent;
angiotensin ii
receptor
antagonist;
antihypertensive

Angiotensin
II receptor
(type AT1)
antagonist
acts as a
potent
vasoconstrict
or and
primary
vasoactive
hormone of
the renin
angiotensin
aldosterone
system.

Hypertension

Cozaar

Adverse
Effects
CNS:
Dizziness,
insomnia,
headache.
GI: Diarrhea,
dyspepsia.
Musculoskelet
al: Muscle
cramps,
myalgia, back
or leg pain.
Respiratory:
Nasal
congestion,
cough, upper
respiratory
infection,
sinusitis.

Contraindication
Hypersensitivity
to losartan,
pregnancy
[category C (first
trimester),
category D
(second and third
trimesters)],
lactation

Nursing
Responsibility

Monitor BP at
drug trough (prior
to a scheduled
dose).

Monitor drug
effectiveness,
especially in
AfricanAmericans when
losartan is used
as monotherapy.

Inadequate
response may be
improved by
splitting the daily
dose into twicedaily dose.

Lab tests:
Monitor CBC,
electrolytes, liver
& kidney function
with long-term
therapy.

Drug Name

Classifications

Action

DRUG STUDY
Indication
Adverse
Effects

Contraindication

Nursing
Responsibility

Amlodipine
Norvasc

cardiovascular
agent;

Inhibits
calcium ion
influx
calcium channel across
blocker;
cardiac and
smooth
antihypertensive muscle
agent
cells,
decreasing
Prototype:
myocardial
Nifedipine
contractility
and oxygen
Pregnancy
demands
Category: C

-Angina
pectoris due to
coronary artery
spasm
(Prinzmetal's
variant angina)
-Chronic stable
angina, alone
or in
combination
with other
agents
-Essential
hypertension,
alone or in
combination
with other
antihypertensiv
es

Drug Name

Classifications

Action

Indication

Side effects
of amlodipine
are generally
mild and
reversible.
The two most
common side
effects are
headache
and edema
(swelling) of
the lower
extremities.
Less common
side effects
include
dizziness,
flushing,
fatigue,
nausea, and
palpitations

NORVASC is
contraindicated in
patients with
known sensitivity
to amlodipine.

Adverse
Effects

Contraindication

Monitor BP for
therapeutic
effectiveness.
BP reduction is
greatest after
peak levels of
amlodipine are
achieved 69 h
following oral
doses.

Monitor for S&S

of dose-related
peripheral or
facial edema

Monitor BP with
postural
changes. Report
postural
hypotension.
Monitor more
frequently when
additional
antihypertensive
s or diuretics
are added.

Nursing
Responsibility

simvas
tatin

Zocor

Simvastatin
is a prodrug
metabolised
HMGin the liver
to form the
CoA
active reductase
hydroxy
inhibitor
acid
Pregnanc derivative.
y Category X This inhibits
the
conversion
of HMGCoA to
mevalonic
acid by
blocking
HMG-CoA
reductase,
an early
and ratelimiting step
in
cholesterol
biosynthesi
s. It reduces
total
cholesterol,
LDLcholesterol
and
Antihyper
lipidemic,

-Adjunct to diet
in the treatment
of elevated total
cholestrol and
LDL cholesterol
with primary
hypercholester
olemia (types
IIa and IIb) in
those
unresponsive to
dietary
restriction of
saturated fat
and cholesterol
and other
nonpharmacolo
gic measures
-To reduce the
risk of coronary
disease,
mortality, and
CV events,
including CVA,
TIA, MI and

Heada
che,
nausea,
flatulence,
heartburn,
abdominal
pain,
diarrhea/c
onstipation
,
dysgeusia;
myopathy
features
like
myalgia
and
muscle
weakness;
serum
transamina
ses and
CPK
elevations;
hypersensi
tivity; lens

Acute liver Teaching points

Take drug in the

disease or
evening. Do not
unexplained
drink grapefruit juice
persistent
while using this
elevations of
drug.
serum
Have periodic
transaminases.
blood tests.
Pregnancy,
lactation.
Porphyria.

This drug
cannot be taken
during pregnancy;
using barrier
contraceptives is
recommended.

You may
experience these
side effects: Nausea
(eat frequent small
meals); headache,
muscle and joint
aches and pains
(may lessen);
sensitivity to light
(use a suncreen and
wear protective

triglycerides
and
increases
HDLcholesterol
levels.

reduction in
need for
bypass surgery
and angioplasty
in patients with
coronary heart
disease and
hypercholester
olemia

opacities;
blurring of
vision;
dizziness;
sexual
dysfunctio
n;
insomnia;
depression
and upper
respiratory
symptoms.

Potenti
ally Fatal:
Severe
rhabdomy
olysis with
acute renal
failure.

clothing).

Report severe
GI upset, changes
in vision, unusual
bleeding or bruising,
dark urine or lightcolored stools,
fever, muscle pain,
or soreness.