IMMUNOLOGIC DISORDERS

Medications for Immune disorders

Classifications Indications Selected interventions

Adrenergics Relax smooth bronchial muscle ● Instruct the client to

and dilate airways inhale twice as
Albuterol follows: inhale once,
wait 1 minute, and
Epinephrine inhale once more.
Isoetharine

Isoproterenol

Metaproterenol

Terbutaline

Louis Carlos O. Roderos, RN, MAN January 2021

IMMUNOLOGIC DISORDERS

Antibiotics Prevent or treat infections ● Before administering

caused by pathogenic the first dose, assess
Aminoglycosides microorganisms the client for allergies
(gentamicin, and determine
tobramycin) whether culture has
been obtained,
Amoxicillin ● After multiple doses,
assess the client for
Erythromycin
superinfection
Penicillin (thrush, yeast,
infection, diarrhea);
Tetracycline notify the health care
provider if these
occur.
● Assess the insertion
site for phlebitis if
antibiotics are being
administered I.V.
● To assess the
effectiveness of
antibiotic therapy,
monitor the white
blood cell count.
● Monitor peaks and
troughs for
aminoglycosides.

Antidiarrheals Absorb excess water from stool ● To assess the

effectiveness of the
Attapulgite medication, record
the number and
Bismuth subsalicylate consistency of stools.
● Monitor intake and
Diphenoxylate and
output, daily weight,
atropine
and serum electrolyte
Loperamide levels.

Louis Carlos O. Roderos, RN, MAN January 2021

IMMUNOLOGIC DISORDERS

Antiemetics
Benzquinamide Relieve nausea and vomiting by ● Advise the client that
Dimenhydrinate inhibiting medullary this medication may
Trimethobenzamide chemoreceptor triggers; drug cause drowsiness.
Hydrochloride choice depends on the cause of ● Because the
Promethazine vomiting medication may
Scopolamine cause chemical
irritation,
administered by deep
I.M. injection into a
large muscle mass, if
appropriate.
● Measure emesis and
maintain accurate
intake and output;
monitor for
dehydration.

Antihistamines Inhibit histamine release by ● Teach the client to

binding selectively to H​​1 avoid alcohol, driving,
Cetirizine receptors or engaging in
hazardous activities
Chlorpheniramine because the
maleate medication may
cause drowsiness.
Desloratadine
(Some antihistamines
Diphenhydramine are nonsedating.
Make sure the client
Fexofenadine is knowledgeable of
the medication’s
Loratadine adverse effects.)
● Encourage sucking
Terfenadine on hard candy or ice
chips for relief of dry
mouth.

Louis Carlos O. Roderos, RN, MAN January 2021

IMMUNOLOGIC DISORDERS

Antiprucitic agents Relieve or prevent itching (may ● Advise the client to

be topical steroids or wash his hands
Topical steroids anesthetics) before and after
application.
Desoximetasone ● Instruct the client to
clean the affected
Hydrocortisone
area with warm water
Topical anesthetics before application

Benzocaine

Dibucaine

Louis Carlos O. Roderos, RN, MAN January 2021

IMMUNOLOGIC DISORDERS

Antiretrovirals ● The client must

adhere closely to the
Nucleoside reverse Suppress synthesis of viral prescribed dosing
transcriptase deoxyribonucleic acid by reverse schedule.
inhibitors transcriptase; first drugs used ● All medications are
against human oral except I.V.
Didanosine immunodeficiency virus (HIV) zidovudine, which
infection; remains a mainstay of must be administered
Zidovudine treatment. slowly.

Nonnucleoside Cause direct inhibition of HIV by ● Instruct the client to

reverse binding to active center of take the medication 1
transcriptase reverse transcriptase. hour before or after
inhibitors
food or antacids.
Delavirdine ● · Inform the
client to notify his
Neviraphine health care provider if
a rash occurs.

Protease Inhibitors
Bind to the active site of HIV ● Instruct the client to
Indinavir protease, thereby preventing the follow proper
enzyme from cleaning HIV instructions when
ritonavir taking the
polyproteins; the virus remains
immature and noninfectious; medication; some
when used in combination with must be taken on an
reverse transcriptase inhibitors, empty stomach, and
viral load reduced to a level others must be taken
undetectable by current assays with food.
● Inform the client that
all protease inhibitors
may cause diabetes.
(Inform the client of
the signs and
symptoms of
diabetes and to notify
his health care

Louis Carlos O. Roderos, RN, MAN January 2021

IMMUNOLOGIC DISORDERS

provider if these
occur.)

Bronchodilators Relax bronchial smooth muscle ● Monitor the serum

(xanthine derivatives) level of theophylline
(therapeutic level, 10
theophylline to 20 µg/ml).
● Provide the
medication at regular
intervals, before
meals, and with a full
glass of water.
● Instruct the client to
notify his health care
provider of irritability,
restlessness,
headache, insomnia,
dizziness,
tachycardia,
palpitations, or
seizures.
● Do not crush
sustained-release
medication.

Louis Carlos O. Roderos, RN, MAN January 2021

IMMUNOLOGIC DISORDERS

Corticosteroids Ensure a potent, local acting ● Caution the client not

anti-inflammatory and immune to exceed the
Inhaled – fluticasone; modifier effect; also used to maximum daily dose
beclomethasone strengthen the biologic of 4 sprays/nostril.
membrane, which inhibits ● Instruct the client to
Oral – hydrocortisone, capillary permeability and rinse his mouth after
methylprednisolone, prevents leakage of fluid into the each use to prevent
prednisone injured area and development of nasal candidiasis.
edema; exact mechanism ● Instruct the client to
Topical
unknown take the medication
exactly as directed
and to taper it rather
than stop it abruptly,
which could cause
serious withdrawal
symptoms leading to
adrenal insufficiency,
shock, and death.
● Forewarn the client
that the medication
may cause reportable
cushingoid effects
(weight gain, moon
face, buffalo hump,
and hirsutism) and
may mask signs and
symptoms of
infection.
● Instruct the client to
wash his hands
before and after
topical application.
● Instruct the client to
wash the exposed
area with warm water
and to dry it
thoroughly before
applying the
medication.

Louis Carlos O. Roderos, RN, MAN January 2021

IMMUNOLOGIC DISORDERS

COX-2 inhibitors Inhibit the formation substances ● Instruct the client to

that can cause joint and report tinnitus, which
Celecoxib connective tissue problems is a sign of aspirin
toxicity, to his health
Rofecoxib care provider.

Leukotriene receptor Reduce inflammation in airways; ● Instruct the client to

antagonist used for prophylactic and take medication in
maintenance drug therapy for the evening without
montelukast chronic asthma food.
● Explain that the
medication is not for
acute asthma
attacks.

Mast cell inhibitor Inhibit mast cell, thereby ● Teach the client to
releasing chemical mediators insert the capsule in
Cromolyn sodium that result in bronchodilation and a nebulizer device,
a decrease in airway exhale completely,
inflammation place the mouthpiece
between the lips,
inhale deeply, hold
his breath for 10
seconds, and then
exhale.
● Tell the client that an
inhaler is used
prophylactically
before exercise, not
in acute asthma
attacks.

Louis Carlos O. Roderos, RN, MAN January 2021

IMMUNOLOGIC DISORDERS

Nonopioid analgesics Relieve pain, edema, and ● Instruct the client to

inflammation take with food to
Nonsteroidal decrease GI upset.
anti-inflammatory ● Instruct the client to
drugs report signs and
symptoms of GI
Acetylsalicylic acid distress (i.e., nausea,
vomiting, bleeding) to
Ibuprofen
his health care
provider.

Vasopressors Rapidly restore blood pressure ● Monitor the client’s

in anaphylaxis by producing viral vital signs,
Metaraminol vasoconstriction and stimulating intake and output,
the heart mental status,
Norepinephrine peripheral pulses,
and skin color.
● The client should be
on telemetry and
monitored
continuously.

Louis Carlos O. Roderos, RN, MAN January 2021