DRUG CLASSIFICATIONS
BEFORE DURING
Antiulcer - Educate the patient not to lay down
for an hour or two
- Educate the patient about the
measures to prevent intra-abdominal
pain, constipation and other diseases
- Educate the client that taking anti-
ulcer medications with or without intake
of foods is allowed depending on the
discretion of the physician
Antacids - Educate the client thorough patient
teaching, including the drug name and
prescribed dose, schedule for
administration, signs and symptoms of
adverse effects and measures to
prevent or minimize them, warning
signs that may indicate possible
problems and the need to notify the
health care provider immediately.
- Instruct the client to take antacids
medication 1-3 hours after each meal
and at bedtime
- Educate the client that interactions
with other medications can be
minimized by allowing 1-hour interval
between antacid administration and the
administration of other medications
- If the client is using a liquid form of
the medication, educate the client that
it must be shaken well before use.
H2-Receptor Antagonist - Educate the client regarding the drug
name, dosage, and schedule for
administration; importance of spacing
administration appropriately as ordered;
need for readily available access to
bathroom; signs and symptoms of
adverse effects and measures to
minimize or prevent them.
- Educate the client that cimetidine may
cause sexual dysfunction
- Educate the client that the medication
may cause mental confusion, agitation,
psychosis, depression, anxiety, and
disorientation, and that medication
must be stopped if this any of the
symptoms occurs
- Periodically reorient the patient about
institute safety measures if CNS effects
occur to ensure patient safety and
improve and improve patient tolerance
of the drug and drug effects.
- Instruct the client to separate
medication by giving 1 hour before or 2
hours interval after administration
Proton Pump Inhibitors - Educate the client thoroughly about
the drug including the drug name and
prescribed dosage; the importance of
taking the drug whole without opening,
chewing, or crushing it; signs and
symptoms of possible adverse effects
and measures to minimize or prevent
them.
- Instruct the client to take medication 1
hour before meals to ensure that he/she
does not open, chew or crush capsules
Laxatives - Educate the client regarding the drug
name, dosage, and schedule for
administration; importance of spacing
administration appropriately as ordered;
need for readily available access to
bathroom; signs and symptoms of
adverse effects and measures to
minimize or prevent them.
- If patient is taking laxatives with a
stimulant ingredient, educate the client
to take it on an empty stomach for a
rapid effect. Also, educate the client
that results are slowed if taken with
food.
- Educate the client not to take the
medication within 2 hours of taking
other medication as the desired effect of
the other medicine may be reduced and
if he/she has signs of appendicitis or
inflamed bowel.
GASTROINTESTINAL AGENTS
April Tom O. Cuenca ; Section N-22
References:
https://nursestudyguide.blogspot.com/2012/04/antiulcer-drugs.html
https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/laxative-oral-route/precautions/drg-20070683?p=1
https://nurseslabs.com/antacids/
https://wtcs.pressbooks.pub/pharmacology/chapter/7-3-anti-ulcer/
PATIENT’S DRUG TEACHINGS
AFTER
- Educate the client to take the
medication with a full glass of water
- Teach the client to chew tablets
thoroughly and follow with water to
ensure therapeutic levels reach the
stomach to reduce acidity
- Educate the client to shake the
medication before using it
- If the patient is taking famotidine
chewable tablets, instruct the client to
chew the tablets well before swallowing.
- If the patient is taking oral
disintegrating tablets, instruct the client
to immediately place the tablet on the
tongue as the tablet may dissolve in
seconds and swallow it with saliva.
Educate the client that drinking water or
other liquid is not necessary to swallow
the tablet.
- If the patient is taking effervescent
tablets, educate the client not to chew
the medication, rather swallow it whole
or dissolve it on the tongue.
- If pain occurs during treatment,
educate the client that he/she can also
take antacids.
- Educate and instruct the client now to
chew or crush the drug and to swallow
the medication whole to ensure the
therapeutic effectiveness of the drug.
- If the client is using a powder for oral
suspension, educate the client to not
use other liquids or foods, stir the
mixture well and drink immediately. In
addition, teach the client to refill cup
with water and drink it again for the
second time.
- If the client is using a proton pump
inhibitor medication that is in delayed-
release oral suspension form, educate
the client to stir mixture and leave it for
2-3 minutes for it to thicken and drink
within 30 minutes. If any medicine
remains after drinking, instruct the
client to add more water, stir, and drink
immediately.
- Instruct the client not to swallow the
medication if it is in dry form. Instead,
teach the client to mix with liquids
following the directions on the product
label.
- To allow bulk-forming laxatives to
work properly and to prevent intestinal
blockage, educate the client that it is
necessary to drink plenty of fluids
during their use. Each dose should be
taken in or with a full glass (8 ounces)
or more of cold water or fruit juice. This
will provide enough liquid for the
laxative to work properly. A second
glass of water or juice by itself is often
recommended with each dose for best
effect and to avoid side effects.
- If the patient is taking laxatives such
as bisacodyl tablets, educate the client
not to chew or crush the tablet to
protect its coating and prevent
symptoms such as irritation and nausea.
- Educate the client that a healthy diet, regular
exercise and rest is a must for recovery.
- Educate the client not to stress oneself, but
instead divert one’s attention to other things for
relaxation.
- Educate the client not to take other drugs if it is
not prescribed.
- Educate the client to drink a full glass of water
after taking either the regular or chewable tablets
or capsules.
- To prevent hyperacidity, educate the client to
stop smoking and avoid food and beverages that
can cause increased acidity such as alcohol, high-
fat or spicy foods, and caffeins
- Educate the client not to use alcohol or tobacco
after taking the medication as interactions may
occur.
- Educate the client that it may take several days
before the medication begins to relieve stomach
pain.
- Educate the client to take the medication for the
full time of treatment, even if he/she begins to
feel better.
- Educate the client to keep his/her appointments
with her doctor for check-ups so that her doctor
will be better able to tell when to stop taking this
medicine.
- Educate the client to not use medications such
as herbal treatment after taking h2-receptor
antagonist medications to avoid complications.
- Educate the client to avoid smoking, alcohol,
products containing aspirin, caffeine, NSAIDS, and
foods that cause GI irritation which may
counteract the drug’s effects
- Educate the client that if symptoms are not
resolved after 4-8 weeks of therapy, he/she
should arrange for medical follow-up sessions with
his/her physician to assess if there is a serious
underlying condition that may be causing the
symptoms
- Educate the client that it may take several days
before the medicine starts to relieve stomach
pains. To help relieve the pain, instruct the client
that he/she may take the medication with
antacids with the discretion of the physician, of
course.
- Educate the client not to buy or use an over the
counter products or non-prescriptions drugs and
herbal products when taking proton pump
inhibitors medications
- Educate the client not to use alcohol or tobacco
after taking the medication as interactions may
occur.
- Educate the client to drink at least 6-8 glasses of
liquids each day to help make the stool softer.
- Educate the client that results usually occur as
early as 12 hours up to 2 days after the first dose.
- After taking medication, educate the client to
store remaining medication in a close container at
room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and
direct light, and keep the medication from
freezing.
- If the client develops skin rash after taking the
medication, educate the client to discontinue use
immediately.
- Educate the client that if constipation improves,
he/she should immediately stop using laxatives
- Educate the client that after taking a laxative,
he/she should make certain to improve lifestyle to
help stop getting constipated again. Inform her
that this can be done by performing regular
exercise and by including more fiber in the diet