MEDICATION/ MECHANISM OF INDICATIONS/ COMMON SIDE NURSING

CONTRAINDICATION
DRUGS ACTION DRUG RATIONALE EFFECTS CONSIDERATIONS

Azathioprine Antagonizes Anti-inflammatory  Hypersensitivity to  Frequent:  History:

purine immunosuppressive Azathioprine  Nausea  Allergy to azathioprine
metabolism, that can decrease  Pregnancy  Vomiting  Rheumatoid arthritis
Classification:
inhibits DNA, joint damage and  Lactation  Anorexia patients previously treated
Immunosuppressant protein, and RNA disability   Alcoholism (particularly with alkylating agents
synthesis.  Chronic liver disease during early
treatment and  Give with food or in divided
Dosage & doses to reduce potential for
with large
Frequency GI disturbances.
doses).
50mg OD
 Occasional:
 Rash.

 Rare:
 Severe nausea/
vomiting with
diarrhea
 Abdominal
pain
 Hypersensitivity
reaction.
Acetaminophen Appears to inhibit Relief of mild to  Hypersensitivity to  Hypersensitivity  Baseline assessment
prostaglandin moderate pain acetaminophen reaction  If given for analgesia, assess
synthesis in the  Severe hepatic  Anorexia onset, type, location, duration
Classification: CNS and, to a impairment or severe  Nausea of pain. Effect of medication
Analgesics lesser extent, active liver disease  Diaphoresis is reduced if full pain
block pain response recurs prior to next
Dosage & impulses through dose
Frequency peripheral action.
325mg PRN Acts centrally on  Intervention/ evaluation:
hypothalamic  Assess for clinical
heat-regulating improvement and relief of
center, producing pain and fever.
peripheral
vasodilation
 Corticosteroids Suppress Help to slow and  Absolute  Headache  Monitor vital sign
migration of stop the processes in contraindication:  Insomnia  Taper doses when
polymorphonuclea your body that make  Infectious arthritis  Weight gain discontinuing high-dose or
Classification: r leukocytes the molecules  Bacteremia  Nausea long-termtherapy.
Glucocorticoids (PML) and reverse involved in your  Periarticular  Do not give live virus
 Vomiting
increased capillary inflammatory cellulitis  Increased blood vaccines with
Dosage & permeability by response. /ulceration immunosuppressive doses
glucose
Frequency their anti-  Osteomyelitis of corticosteroids.
100mg TID  Changes in
inflammatory  Do not stop taking the oral
appearance
effect. Suppress  Relative drug without consulting the
immune system by contraindication; health care provider
decreasing activity  Uncontrolled  Avoid exposure to infections;
of lymphatic diabetes ability to fight infections is
system.  Uncontrolled reduced.
hypertension  Instruct the patient that they
 Joint instability nay experience these side
 Severe mechanical effects
deterioration of
joint