Generic Name: HPV

Trade Name: Gardasil

Uses: prevention of diseases caused by HPV, genital warts and certain
cancers
Adverse Reactions: minor local reactions, such as local tenderness,
pain at injection site.
Nursing Considerations:

Understand the risks of severe and even fatal adverse reactions

as well as the benefits from IFN therapy.

Learn to self-administer after therapy is well established. Read

and keep handy patient information sheet about IFN.

Avoid exposure to infection during nadir period.

Follow up with careful periodic neuropsychiatric monitoring.

Generic Name: Rh immune globulin

Trade Name: RhoGam
Uses: prevention of Rh hemolytic disease after birth
Adverse Reactions: injection site, tenderness, pain, muscle stiffness
Nursing Considerations:

Obtain history of systemic allergic reactions to human immune

globulin preparations prior to drug administration.

Send sample of newborn's cord blood to laboratory for crossmatch and typing immediately after delivery and before
administration of Rho(D) immune globulin. Confirm that mother is
Rho(D) and Du-negative. Infant must be Rh-positive.

Be aware that administration of Rho(D) immune globulin

(antibody) prevents hemolytic disease of the newborn in a
subsequent pregnancy.

Generic Name: varicella

Trade Name: Varivax
Uses: routine immunization of children
Adverse Reactions: minor local reactions, such as local tenderness,
pain at injection site, rash, fever, cough, irritability
Nursing Considerations:

Avoid use of salicylates (e.g., acetylsalicylic acid) for 6 wk after

vaccination, especially with children and adolescents.

Notify physician about all adverse reactions (i.e., fever, rash,

respiratory illness).

Do not breast feed after taking this drug.

Generic Name: zoster, live

Trade Name: Zostavax
Uses: prevention of shingles in people older than 60
Adverse Reactions: transient pain, erythema, swelling or itching at
injection site
Nursing Considerations:

Be aware of potential adverse effects and do not discontinue

drug until full course is completed.

Note: Post-herpes pain is likely to be present for several months

after completion of therapy.

Do not breast feed while taking this drug.

Generic Name: methotrexate

Trade Name: Trexall
2

Uses: leukemia, ALL, non-hodgkins lymphoma, solid tumors,

nonmalignant, multiple sclerosis, inflammatory bowel disease
Adverse Reactions: nausea, vomit, anemia, leukopenia,
thrombocytopenia, stomatitis, diarrhea, renal damage, hepatotoxicity
Nursing Considerations:

Report promptly any abnormal symptoms to physician.

Avoid or moderate alcohol ingestion, which increases the

incidence and severity of methotrexate hepatotoxicity.

Practice fastidious mouth care to prevent infection, provide

comfort, and maintain adequate nutritional status.

Do not self-medicate with vitamins. Some OTC compounds may

include folic acid (or its derivatives), which alters methotrexate
response.

Generic Name: doxorubicin

Trade Name: Doxil
Uses: leukemia, ALL, non-hodgkins lymphoma, solid tumors
Adverse Reactions: nausea, vomit, extravasation potential, anemia,
leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, alopecia, cutaneous changes,
stomatitis, hyperuricemia, urine discoloration, radiation recall, hand
and foot syndrome, cardiotoxicity
Nursing Considerations:

Report promptly objective signs of hepatic dysfunction or kidney

dysfunction.

Promote fastidious oral hygiene, especially before and after

meals. Stomatitis, generally maximal in second week of therapy,
frequently begins with a burning sensation accompanied by
erythema of oral mucosa that may progress to ulceration and
dysphagia in 2 or 3 d.

Report signs of superinfection promptly; these may result from

antibiotic therapy during leukopenic period.

Avoid rectal medications and use of rectal thermometer; rectal

trauma is associated with bloody diarrhea resulting from an
antiblastic effect on rapidly growing intestinal mucosal cells.