DRUG NAME

DOSAGE

CLASSIFICATION

MECHANISM
OF ACTION

INDICATION

Generic Name:
Atorvastatin

PO
(Adults)
10-20 mg
once daily
initially
(may start
with 40
mg/day if
LDL
should be
lowered
by >
45%);
may be
increased
q 2-4 wk
up to 80
mg/day.

Therapeutic:
Lipid-lowering
agents

Inhibit an
enzyme, 3hydroxy-3methylglutarylcoenzyme A
(HMG-CoA)
reductase,
which is
responsible for
catalyzing an
early step in
the synthesis
of cholesterol.

Primary
prevention of
cardiovascular
disease
(lowers risk of
MI or stroke) in
patients with
multiple risk
factors for
coronary heart
disease (CHD)
or type 2
diabetes
mellitus (also
lowers risk of
angina or
revascularizati
on procedures
in patients with
multiple risk
factors for
CHD).

Brand Name:
Lipitor

Pharmacologic:
HMG-CoA
reductase inhibitors

SIDE
EFFECTS/ADVERSE
EFFECT

CONTRAINDICATION

NURSING
CONSIDERATION

>Abdominal cramps
>Constipation
>Diarrhea
>Flatus
>Heartburn
>Rashes

>Hypersensitivity
>Active liver disease
>Potential for fetal
anomalies
>May disrupt infant
lipid metabolism

>Obtain a dietary
history, especially
with regard to fat
consumption.
>May be
administered
without any regard
to food.
>Avoid large
amounts of
grapefruit juice
during therapy; may
increase risk of
toxicity.
>Instruct patient to
notify health care
professional if
unexplained muscle
pain, tenderness, or
weakness occurs,
especially if
accompanied by
fever or malaise.

DRUG NAME

DOSAGE

CLASSIFICATION

MECHANISM
OF ACTION

INDICATION

Generic
Name:
Levofloxacin

PO, IV
(Adults)
Most
infections
250-750
mg q 24
hr;
inhalation
al anthrax
(post
exposure)
500 mg
once daily
for 60
days.

Therapeutic:
Anti-infectives

Inhibit
bacterial DNA
synthesis by
inhibiting DNA
gyrase.

>Urinary tract
infections
including cystitis
and prostatitis
>Respiratory
tract infections
including acute
sinusitis, acute
exacerbations of
chronic
bronchitis, and
pneumonia
>Skin and skin
structure
infections
>Post-exposure
treatment of
inhalational
anthrax

Brand Name:
Levaquin,
NovoLevofloxacin

Pharmacologic:
Fluoroquinolones

SIDE
EFFECTS/ADVERSE
EFFECT
>Seizures
>Dizziness
>Nausea
>Vomiting

CONTRAINDICATION

NURSING
CONSIDERATION

>Hypersensitivity

>Assess level of
consciousness and
respiratory status
before and during
therapy. Observe
patient for at least 2
hr after
administration for
the appearance for
resedation.
Hypoventilation
may occur.
>Institute seizure
precautions.
Seizures are more
likely to occur in
patients who are
experiencing
sedative/hypnotic
withdrawal, patients
who have recently
received repeated
doses of
benzodiazepines,
or those who have
a previous history
of seizure activity.