DRUGS INFORMATION GIVING

1. Intro, role, consent

2. Right patient
3. Patient’s pre-knowledge of the drug and disease he is having/ whether he has taken this drug before
4. Do you have any drug allergy? Are you currently taking any medication?
5. Name of medication
6. Action
7. How to take (dose, frequency) – Do not crush, chew, break, or open the pill. Swallow it whole.
8. What happens if missed (if missed dose, do not double the dose/ do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose. <2hours, take it
immediately)
9. Storage (Keep the medicine out of the reach and sight of children. Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat and light)
10. Possible effects from medication (nothing for you to be alert of, just to make sure you are aware of side effect and what to do if it happens)
11. Possible effects from overdose
12. Compliance + complications if non-compliant, regular monitoring and lifestyle modification
13. Check patient’s understanding (can you briefly tell me how you want to take the medication?)
14. Questions? Concerns?

Name of Drugs Class of Action Dose, Frequency Possible effect from the medication itself/ from
Drugs overdose
CARDIOVASCULAR
Atorvastatin Lipid- Stop cholesterol synthesis Orally tablet after food in the -allergic reactions (rash, facial swelling,
lowering morning headache, shock, breathing difficulty)
drug 10mg once daily -common cold
-diarrhoea
-nose bleeding
-myopathy, muscle ache, back pain
-liver failure (yellowish on hand)
CI: fibrate, niacin, grape juice
Nitroglycerin/ Nitrates Systemic venodilator (relax/widen 0.3-1mg -allergic reactions (rash, facial swelling,
GTN/ Glyceryl the vein)à less resistance in vessels Sublingual when necessary/ headache, shock, breathing difficulty)
trinitrate àeasier for the heart to pump blood do not crush it (every 5 -postural hypo
around the bodyàless energy and minutes for each tablet, max 3 -dizziness, headache, flushing (prevent operate
doses in 15 minutes) heavy machine/driving)
oxygen demand by heart
-palpitation, tachycardia
CI: alcohol, sildenafil
(I: Rx/prevention of angina
pectoris)

Metoprolol Beta Vasodilation(relax/widen)à lower Orally tablet with/after food -allergic reactions (rash, facial swelling,
blocker/ BP + lower HR à less demand for HTN 100mg daily headache, shock, breathing difficulty)
beta- oxygen by heart (I: angina, HTN, Angina 50-100mg 2-3 times -dizziness, headache, postural hypotension (avoid
adrenorec MI) daily driving/operate heavy machine, see doctor if it
eptor Arrhythmia 50mg 2-3 times affects your daily life, do not stand up
antagonis daily immediately but stand up slowly)
t -slow heartbeat, lightheadedness
-induced asthma
-mask hypoglycemia signs (take meal on time for
diabetic pt)
CI: alcohol, calcium blocker
Amlodipine Calcium Vasodilation(relax/widen) àimprove Orally tablet after food -allergic reactions (rash, facial swelling,
channel blood flowàlower BP (I: HTN, 5mg once a day headache, shock, breathing difficulty)
blocker angina) -dizziness, headache, postural hypotension (avoid
driving/operate heavy machine, see doctor if it
affects your daily life, do not stand up
immediately but stand up slowly)
-ankle swelling (elevate leg to reduce swelling)
-palpitation, chest pain
CI: alcohol, pregnant, beta blocker
Nifedipine/ Calcium Vasodilation(relax/widen) àimprove Orally tablet before food -allergic reactions (rash, facial swelling,
Adalat channel blood flowàlower BP (I: HTN, 5mg 3 times daily headache, shock, breathing difficulty)
blocker angina) -dizziness, headache, postural hypotension (avoid
driving/operate heavy machine, see doctor if it
affects your daily life, do not stand up
immediately but stand up slowly)
-GI upset
-ankle swelling (elevate leg to reduce swelling)
-swollen gum
CI: alcohol, beta blocker, grape juice
Digoxin Antiarrhy Make the heart beat stronger + Orally -allergic reactions (rash, facial swelling,
thmic regular rhythm (I: heart failure, AF) 125-250mcg daily headache, shock, breathing difficulty)
Take at the same time -diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting
everyday -blurred vision
-fast, irregular heart beat
CI: alcohol

Perindopril/ ACE Prevent body from producing a Orally tablet with/without -allergic reactions (rash, facial swelling,
Conversyl inhibitor hormone Angiotensin II à widen food headache, shock, breathing difficulty)
blood vessel + reduce amount of 5mg once daily in the -dizziness, headache, postural hypotension (avoid
water put back into your blood by morning driving/operate heavy machine, see doctor if it
kidneys (I:HTN, heart failure) affects your daily life, do not stand up
immediately but stand up slowly)
-dry cough
CI: alcohol, pregnant
Losartan Angioten Keeps vessel from narrowing Oral tablet with/without food -allergic reactions (rash, facial swelling,
sin II àlower BP + improve blood flow (I: 50mg once daily headache, shock, breathing difficulty)
receptor HTN) -vomiting, diarrhea
blocker ​ -lightheadedness, rapid heartbeat
-chest pain
CI:alcohol, pregnancy
Phenoxybenzalin Alpha Vasodilation à lower BP (I: HTN Oral -allergic reactions (rash, facial swelling,
e blocker pheochromocytoma) 10mg twice daily headache, shock, breathing difficulty)
-postural hypotension, dizziness, drowsiness
-Fast, irregular heartbeat
-weak
-vomiting
CI: alcohol
RESPIRATORY
MDI Ventolin/ Beta2- Brondilator that relaxes muscles in Inhaler -allergic reactions (rash, facial swelling, difficulty
Salbutamol/ adrenergi the airway à increase airflow to in breathing, breathing difficulty)
Albuterol c agonist lungs -bronchospasm (wheezing, chest tightness,
trouble breathing)
-fine tremor
-palpitation
Penicillin V/ Antibiotic Inhibit biosynthesis of cell wall Orally tablet after food -allergic reactions (rash, facial swelling,
Phenoxymethylpe mucopeptide à kill bacteria (I: oral Complete the course (prevent headache, shock, breathing difficulty)
nicillin infection, tonsillitis, otitis media, drug resistant bacteria) -GI upset eg diarrhea (pseudomembranous colitis
RF, group A streptococcal infection 500mg every 6 hours by C.difficile)
-easy bruising/ bleeding
CI: alcohol, OCP, anticoagulant

Erythromycin Macrolid slow the growth of, or sometimes Orally tablet before food -allergic reactions (rash, facial swelling,
e kill, sensitive bacteria by reducing Must complete the course headache, shock, breathing difficulty)
antibiotic the production of important proteins -GI upset(pseudomembranous colitis by
needed by the bacteria to survive (I: C.difficile)
susceptible bacterial infections eg -cardiac problems(chest pain, heart beat not
S.pyogenes, aureus, pneumonia) regular)
CI: alcohol, milk, statin, omeprazole
HAEMATOLOGY
Warfarin Anticoag Blood thinner à reduces the Orally tablet with/without -allergic reactions (rash, facial swelling,
ulant formation of blood clots + lower the food at the same time of each headache, shock, breathing difficulty)
chance of blood clot forming (I: day -GI bleeding, easy bruising, black stool,
prophylaxis/ rx for stomachache, nosebleeeding, gum bleed
thromboembolism disorders) frequent "INR" or (immediately report back to doctor)
prothrombin time tests (to -abdominal pain
measure how long it takes CI: alcohol, pregnant, smoking, statin, leafy green
your blood to clot) vegetables
Aspirin Antiplatel Reduces substances in the body that Orally tablet after food -allergic reactions (rash, facial swelling,
et cause pain, fever, and inflammation. headache, shock, breathing difficulty)
Used to treat or prevent heart -Bleeding stomach (nausea, vomiting, stomache,
attacks, strokes, and chest pain. black feces)
Prevent blood clot by inhibiting -Induced-asthma
platelet aggregation (I: Pain, -Reye syndrome (<16yo)
inflammation, fever, RF/ RA/OA, CI: alcohol, pregnant, children, ibuprofen
ACS, stroke)
Clopidogrel Antiplatel prevent platelets in your blood from Oral with/without food -allergic reactions (rash, facial swelling,
et sticking together and forming a 75 mg once a day headache, shock, breathing difficulty)
blood clot. -bleeding: nosebleed, bruising, vomiting of blood,
back tarry stool
-chest pain
-urti
CI: alcohol
GASTROINTESTINAL
Omeprazole Proton decreases the amount of acid At least 1 hour before meal -allergic reactions (rash, facial swelling,
pump produced in the stomach. (I: GERD, 20mg oral once a day headache, shock, breathing difficulty)
inhibitor PU) -increased risk of bone fracture in the hip, wrist,
or spine
-stomach pain, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting
CI: alcohol, breastfeeding
Cimetidine H2 decreases the amount of acid your Orally with meals or at -allergic reactions (rash, facial swelling,
receptor stomach produces. (I: GERD, PU) bedtime headache, shock, breathing difficulty)
 antagonis 400g twice daily (with -cough, trouble breathing
t breakfast or at night) OR -irregular heartbeat
800mg at night -easy bruising or bleeding
CI: alcohol
Aluminium Antacid Neutralize acid à treat symptoms Shake the oral suspension -allergic reactions (rash, facial swelling,
hydroxide of increased stomach acid, such as (liquid) well just before you headache, shock, breathing difficulty)
heartburn, upset stomach, sour measure a dose. - stomach pain, constipation
stomach, or acid indigestion. Taken between meals or at -bloody black tarry stools, coughing up blood
bedtime. CI: alcohol
​
Magnesium Antacid Neutralize acid à treat symptoms of Shake the oral suspension -allergic reactions (rash, facial swelling,
hydroxide increased stomach acid, such as (liquid) well just before you headache, shock, breathing difficulty)
heartburn, upset stomach, sour measure a dose. -diarrhoea
stomach, or acid indigestion. -rectal bleeding
-slow heartbeats
CI: alcohol, pregnant, breastfeed
ENDOCRINE
Levothyroxine Hormone a replacement for a hormone Oral, at least 30 minutes -allergic reactions (rash, facial swelling,
normally produced by your thyroid before breakfast headache, shock, breathing difficulty)
gland to regulate the body's energy 50-100mcg once daily -diarrhoea, vomiting
and metabolism. (I: -palpitation, irregularfast heartbeat
hypothyroidism) -Tremor, restlessness, insomnia
CI: alcohol
Carbimazole Thioamid prevents the thyroid gland from Oral, 14-40mg once daily -allergic reactions (rash, facial swelling,
e producing too much thyroid headache, shock, breathing difficulty)
hormone. (I: hyperthyroidism) -GI upset
CI: alcohol, breastfeeding
Propylthiouracil Thioamid prevents the thyroid gland from Oral, with/without food -allergic reactions (rash, facial swelling,
e producing too much thyroid 100-150mg 3 times a day headache, shock, breathing difficulty)
hormone. (I: hyperthyroidism) - easy bruising, bleeding
-dry cough
-GI upset
CI:alcohol, pregnant, breastfeeding

Metformin Biguanid Increase insulin sensitivity à control Orally tablet after food at the -allergic reactions (rash, facial swelling,
e blood sugar level (I: Type II DM) same time each day headache, shock, breathing difficulty)
Do not crush, chew, or break -GI upset (nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain)
an extended-release -numbness/ tingling of leg (malabsorption of vit
metformin tablet. Swallow the B12)
pill whole. -muscle pain/ weakness
-organ failure (rare)
CI: alcohol
Glibenclamide/ Sulphony Increase insulin secretion à control Orally tablet with or just after -allergic reactions (rash, facial swelling,
Daonil lurea blood sugar level (I: type II DM) food (usually breakfast) headache, shock, breathing difficulty)
15mgOnce a day -weight gain
-hypoglycaemia signs – emergency (take a sweet
or snack always with you if experience dizziness,
hunger, confused, tremor, palpitation)
-CI: alcohol, pregnant, elderly, breastfeed, renal
impairment
Gliclazide/ Sulphony Increase insulin secretion à control Orally with breakfast -allergic reactions (rash, facial swelling,
Diamicron lurea blood sugar level (I: type II DM) 40-80mg daily headache, shock, breathing difficulty)
-weight gain
-hypoglycaemia signs – emergency (take a sweet
or snack always with you if experience dizziness,
hunger, confused, tremor, palpitation)
-GI upset
-CI: alcohol, pregnant, elderly, breastfeed, renal
impairment
Insulin Hormone works by lowering levels of glucose SC injection -allergic reactions (rash, facial swelling,
(sugar) in the blood. (I: type I/II Change injection site headache, shock, breathing difficulty)
DM) everyday (upper arms, thigh, -swelling, itching, redness on injection site
buttocks, abdomen) -hypoglycaemia signs – emergency (take a sweet
Store in fridge but do not or snack always with you if experience dizziness,
freeze if unopened; at RT if hunger, confused, tremor, palpitation)
opened, last for one month CI: alcohol
Any vials, pre-filled pens and
catridges must be discarded
28 days after being first used

REPRODUCTIVE
Oral Hormone Contains oestrogen and Oral, taken at the same time -allergic reactions (rash, facial swelling,
contraceptive progesterone à inhibit female each day headache, shock, breathing difficulty)
pills fertility (stop the eggs developing, 1 tablet daily for 21 days; -nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramp
so there is no egg released from the subsequent courses repeated -breast tenderness
ovary.) after a 7-day interval(1 -chest pain
 inactive tablet each day) -cough up blood
-breathless
-pain in the lower leg
CI: alcohol
RENAL
Furosemide/ Loop Venodilation/ remove excess water Orally tablet after food in the
-urinary frequency
Lasix diuretic + prevents your body from morning -allergic reactions (rash, facial swelling,
absorbing too much salt, allowing 20-40mg daily headache, shock, breathing difficulty)
the salt to instead be passed in your -GI upset (taken with food)
urine. (I: oedema, CCF) -dizziness, headache, postural hypotension
-dehydration/dry mouth
-ringing in ear, blurred vision
-trigger gout attack
CI: alcohol, aminoglycoside, breastfeed
Hydrochlorothiaz Thiazide remove excess water(I: HTN, heart Orally tablet after food in the -urinary frequency
ide/ Water pill failure, generalized oedema) morning -allergic reactions (rash, facial swelling,
headache, shock, breathing difficulty)
-GI upset (taken with food)
-dizziness, headache, postural hypotension
-muscle weakness (hypokalemia)
-Trigger gout attack
CI: alcohol, breastfeed, pregnant
MUSCULOSKELETAL
Allopurinol Xanthine reduces the production of uric acid Orally after food -allergic reactions (rash, facial swelling,
oxidase in your body. (I: prophylaxis of 100mg once daily headache, shock, breathing difficulty)
inhibitor gout or kidney stones) - joint pain ​
-GI upset
-bruising, unusual bleeding
-tingling, numbness, pain, muscle weakness
-Stevens-Johnson syndrome (skin rash)
CI: alcohol
Colchicine Anti gout affects the way the body responds Oral with/without food -allergic reactions (rash, facial swelling,
agent to uric acid crystals, which reduces 500mcg 2-4times daily until headache, shock, breathing difficulty)
swelling and pain. (I: acute gout) symptoms relieved - GI upset
- pain, muscle weakness
CI: alcohol
Celecoxib Selective reducing hormones that cause Orally after food -allergic reactions (rash, facial swelling,
COX2 inflammation and pain in the body 200mg twice daily headache, shock, breathing difficulty)
inhibitor (I: arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, -breathless
and menstrual pain) -Stomach bleeding (bloody, tarry stools, coughing
or vomiting of blood)
-GI upset
CI: alcohol, pregnant
Ibuprofen Nonselect reducing hormones that cause Orally after food -allergic reactions (rash, facial swelling,
ive COX inflammation and pain in the body 300-400mg 3-4 times daily headache, shock, breathing difficulty)
inhibitor à educe fever and treat pain or -GI upset
inflammation caused by many -visual disturbance
conditions such as headache, -shortness of breath
toothache, back -stomach bleeding
pain, arthritis, menstrual cramps, or CI: alcohol, pregnant, aspirin
minor injury.