Generic: Benazepril Brand Name: Lotensin

Classification: ACEI (antihypertensive)

Therapeutic use: Management of HTN & ↓ blood pressure
Action: Blocks conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II; BV enlarge & dilate to ↓ BP.
Safe dosage: 10 mg/ daily. Then, ↑ to 20-40 mg/daily in 1-2 doses (begin w/5 mg in patients
on diuretics)
Onset Peak Duration
Within 1 hour 2 to 4 hours 24 hours
Patient teaching: Avoid salt substitutes and foods high in potassium or sodium. OH risk.
Avoid activities requiring alertness until reaction is known. May cause impairment of taste
(resolves within 8-12 weeks). Encourage additional interventions. Check BP weekly. Diabetic
patients: Monitor blood glucose carefully (1st month).
Adverse reactions: Dizziness, fatigue, insomnia, vertigo, cough, hypotension, ↑ HR, pruritis,
& angioedema.
Contraindications: Hypersensitivity, angioedema, use of Aliskiren in patients with DM,
pregnancy, & breastfeeding.
Precautions: Renal & hepatic impairments, hypovolemia & hyponatremia, & concurrent
diuretic use. Geriatric: Initial ↓ dose.
Interactions: Diuretics & antihypertensives, potassium /potassium-sparing diuretics, ARB’s
or aliskiren, & NSAID’s & COX-2 inhibitors
Nursing Assessments: Vitals. Cardiopulmonary assessment. S/S of angioedema
Lab: BUN, creatinine, potassium, AST, ALT, ALP, bilirubin, uric acid, & glucose (may ↑).
Sodium & CBC (may ↓).

Vallerand, A.H., Sanoski, C.A., & Deglin, J.H. (2015). Davis’s drug guide for nurses. (14th
ed.). Philadelphia, PA: F.A. Davis Company. Page: 161
 Generic: Bicalutamide Brand Name: Casodex Generic: Bisacodyl Brand Name: Ducolax
Classification: Antineoplastics & antiandrogens Classification: Stimulant laxative
Therapeutic use: Treatment of metastatic prostate carcinoma in conjunction with LHRH Therapeutic use: Treat constipation
analogs Action: ↑ activity of intestines (peristalsis) to cause a BM
Action: Antagonizes effects of androgen at the cellular level (↓ spread of prostate carcinoma) Safe dosage: PO: 5-15 mg/day (up to 30mg) as a single dose.
Safe dosage: 50 mg/day (must be given concurrently with LHRH analog or following surgical PR: 10 mg/day as a single dose
Onset Peak Duration
castration)
PO: 6 to 12 hours PO: Unknown PO: Unknown
Onset Peak Duration PR: 15 to 60 minutes PR: Unknown PR: Unknown
Patient teaching: Short term only. ↑ fluid to at least 1.5-2L/day. Bowel regulation strategies.
Unknown 31.3 hours Unknown
Patient teaching: Must take concurrently with LHRH analog. Stop taking and REPORT S/S Take on empty stomach for faster results. Not to take within 1 hour of milk. Retain for 15-30
of liver dysfunction (N&V, abdominal pain, fatigue, anorexia, “flu-like” symptoms, dark minutes before expelling.
Adverse reactions: Abdominal cramps, nausea, diarrhea, burning, protein-losing enteropathy
urine, jaundice, or RUQ tenderness). REPORT severe or persistent diarrhea. Discuss
possibility of hair loss & coping mechanisms. Contraindications: Hypersensitivity. Abdominal pain. Nausea and vomiting.
Adverse reactions: Weakness, constipation, diarrhea, nausea, breast pain, gynecomastia, back Precautions: Severe CV disease. Anal/rectal fissures. Excess/prolonged use.
pain, pelvic pain, generalized pain, & hot flashes. Interactions: Antacids, H2 histamine, gastric acid-pump inhibitors. Milk
Contraindications: Hypersensitivity & women Nursing Assessments: GI assessment. Stool (color, consistency, amount). I/O
Precautions: Moderate to severe liver impairment Lab: N/A
Interactions: Warfarin (↑ effect)
Nursing Assessments: Adverse GI effects (diarrhea)
Lab: PSA, serum transaminases, ALP, AST, ALT, bilirubin, BUN, creatinine, hemoglobin, Vallerand, A.H., Sanoski, C.A., & Deglin, J.H. (2015). Davis’s drug guide for nurses. (14th
ed.). Philadelphia, PA: F.A. Davis Company. Page: 220
WBC, & glucose tolerance.

Vallerand, A.H., Sanoski, C.A., & Deglin, J.H. (2015). Davis’s drug guide for nurses. (14th
ed.). Philadelphia, PA: F.A. Davis Company. Page: 219
Generic: Bisoprolol Brand Name: Zebeta
Classification: Beta blocker

Therapeutic use: Management of hypertension

Action: Blocks stimulation of beta1 (myocardial)-adrenergic receptors. Does not usually

affect beta2 (pulmonary, vascular, uterine)-receptor sites.

Safe dosage: 5 mg once daily, may be ↑ to 10 mg once daily (range 2.5-20 mg/day).
Onset Peak Duration
Unknown 1 to 4 hours 24 hours
Patient teaching: May cause drowsiness. Orthostatic hypotension risk. May increase
sensitivity to cold. Diabetics: monitor BG closely. Additional therapy enforcement.

Adverse reactions: Fatigue, weakness, & erectile dysfunction. Bradycardia. HF. Pulmonary
edema.
Contraindications: Uncompensated HF. Pulmonary edema. Cardiogenic shock. Bradycardia
or heart block.
Precautions: Renal impairment. Hepatic impairment. Pulmonary disease. Diabetes mellitus.
Thyrotoxicosis. History of severe allergic reactions. Older adults: ↓ dose initial
recommendation.
Interactions: General anesthetic, digoxin, antihypertensives, alcohol, nitrates, insulin, oral
hypoglycemics, dopamine, & MAOI.
Nursing Assessments: Monitor vitals & ECG. Fluid status assessment. S/S of fluid overload
(dyspnea, rales/crackles, weight gain, peripheral edema, JVD). Cardiopulmonary assessment.
Labs
Lab: BUN, BG levels, lipoprotein, ANA titers potassium, triglyceride, and uric acid (↑).

Vallerand, A.H., Sanoski, C.A., & Deglin, J.H. (2015). Davis’s drug guide for nurses. (14th
ed.). Philadelphia, PA: F.A. Davis Company. Page: 222
 Generic: Brimonidine Brand Name: Alphagan P
Classification: Selective alpha-adrenergic agonist (sympathomimetic)
Therapeutic use: Treatment of open-angle glaucoma & other forms of intraocular
hypertension
Action: Decrease formation of aqueous humor
Safe dosage: 1 drop of 0.1 to 0.2% solution TID (8 hours apart)
Onset Peak Duration

Patient teaching: Systemic absorption

Adverse reactions: Ophthalmic: irritation; Systemic: drowsiness, dizziness, dry mouth,
headache, weakness, muscular pain
Contraindications:
Precautions:
Interactions: MAOI, TCA, CNS depressants
Nursing Assessments:
Lab:

Vallerand, A.H., Sanoski, C.A., & Deglin, J.H. (2015). Davis’s drug guide for nurses. (14th
ed.). Philadelphia, PA: F.A. Davis Company. Page: 1396
 Generic: Budesonide Brand Name: Pulmicort
Classification: Inhaled corticosteroids
Therapeutic use: Maintenance of asthma as prophylactic therapy; may ↓ need for/eliminate
use of systemic corticosteroids in patients w/asthma.
Action: Potent, locally acting anti-inflammatory & immune modifier.
Safe dosage: 180 to 360 mcg 2x/day (do NOT exceed 720 mcg 2x/day).

Onset Peak Duration

Within 24 hours 1 to 4 weeks Unknown
Patient teaching: If using bronchodilators as well, use it first & this 5 minutes after. NOT for
asthma attacks. Avoid allergens & irritants. Follow instructions supplied with inhaler.
Adverse reactions: Headache, dysphonia, & hoarseness. Adrenal suppression &
hypersensitivity reaction.
Contraindications: Alcohol or lactose hypersensitivity/intolerance & acute asthma attacks or
status asthmaticus.
Precautions: Active untreated infections, DM, glaucoma, & immunosuppression.
Interactions: N/A
Nursing assessments: Respiratory assessment. For patients switching from systemic to local,
S/S of adrenal insufficiency. Monitor for withdrawal symptoms (joint/MSK pain, lassitude
[lethargy], depression).
Monitor those with the following for fractures: prolonged immobilization, family hx OP,
PMS, smoker, geriatric, poor nutrition, or chronic use of anticonvulsants/oral corticosteroids.
Labs & vitals
Labs: Pulmonary function test; bone density (may ↓); adrenal function (↓/suppression); &
serum & urine glucose (may ↑)

Vallerand, A.H., Sanoski, C.A., & Deglin, J.H. (2015). Davis’s drug guide for nurses. (14th
ed.). Philadelphia, PA: F.A. Davis Company. Page: 347
 Generic: Budesonide-Formoterol Brand Name: Symbicort
Classification: Long-acting beta-agonist (F) & corticosteroid (B)
Therapeutic use: Control & prevent symptoms caused by asthma & COPD
Action: (B) ↓ & prevent respiratory tract inflammation (F) ↓ resistance in airways & ↑ airflow
Safe dosage: 2 inhalation BID
Onset Peak Duration
Unknown Unknown Unknown
Patient teaching: Rinse mouth after use. Clean with dry tissue after use.
Adverse reactions: URTI, sinus pain, nasal congestion, oral candidiasis, & sinusitis
Contraindications: Status asthmaticus, acute episodes of asthma/COPD requiring intensive
measures, & hypersensitivity
Precautions: Adrenal insufficiency
Interactions: CYP450 3A4 inhibitors, MAOI, TCA, beta blockers, & diuretics
Nursing Assessments: Respiratory assessment. S/S of adrenal insufficiency
Lab: N/A