Name of the Drug Mechanism of Action Indications Side effects Nursing

Responsibilities
Generic name: Significant Temporary CNS: Dizziness, Before:
Diphenhydamine anticholinergic activity. sympotamatic relief of drowsiness,  Check the
Competes for H1- various allergic headache, medication
Brand name: receptor sites on conditions and to treat nervousness sheet and
Benadryl effector cells, thus or prevent motion doctor’s order
blocking histamine sickness, vertigo, and GI: constipation,
Classification: release. Effects in reaction to blood or diarrhea, loss of  Check and
Antihistamine; h1- parkinsonism and plasma in susceptible appetite, nausea, verify the right
receptor antagonist drug- induced extra patient. Also used in vomiting name and form
pyramidal symptoms anaphylaxis as of drug
Dosage: are apparently related adjunct to epinephrine
Adult: to its ability to and other standard  Assess the
PO 25-50 mg TID or suppress central measures after acute history if allergy
QID cholinergic activity and symptoms have been
Frequency: to prolong action of controlled; in  Check the
dopamine by inhibiting treatment of expiration date
Route: its reuptake and parkinsonism and of medicine
PO/IM/IV storage. drug-induced
extrapyramidal  Prepare the
Timing: reactions; as a medicine
nonnarchotic cough
suppressant; as a  Assess for
sedative hypnotic possible
contraindications
Contraindications or cautions: any
Documented
history of allergy
hypersensitivity to
to antihistamines;
diphenhydramine
pregnancy and
Premature infants and lactation.
neonates
 Instruct the
Breastfeeding mothers patient to take
the drug before
bed time

 Take medication
 with meals to
decrease the GI
disturbance

During:
 Administer with
food if GI upset
occurs.

 Monitor patient
response, and
arrange for
adjustment of
dosage to
lowest possible
effective dose.

 Avoid
alcohol. Caution
the patient to
avoid alcohol
while taking
these drugs
because serious
sedation can
occur.
 Safety
measures. Provi
de safety
measures as
appropriate if
CNS effects
occur to prevent
patient injury.
-
Ensure voiding. Have
patient void before
each dose to
decrease urinary
retention if this is a
problem
Pregnancy Category B After:
- used only if clearly  Instruct patients
needed to inform their
provider
Diphenhydramine has immediately if
additive effects with they develop a
alcohol and other CNS fever,
depressants persistent
(hypnotics, sedatives, stomach pain,
tranquilizers) or a change in
bowel habits.
Monoamine oxidase A  Educate
inhibitors prolong and patients on
intensify the signs of
anticholinergic effects hypersensitivity
of antihistamines reaction and to
report
symptoms to
the nurse
immediately
 Monitor the
effectiveness of
comfort and
safety
measures and
compliance
with the
regimen.
 Monitor for
adverse effects
 (skin dryness,
GI upset,
sedation and
drowsiness,
urinary
retention,
thickened
secretions,
glaucoma).
 Evaluate the
effectiveness of
the teaching
plan (patient
can name drug,
dosage,
adverse effects
to watch for,
specific
measures to
avoid them,
and measures
to take to
increase the
effectiveness of
the drug.
 .