Generic Name: Imipramine

Brand Name: Tofranil

Classification: Tricyclic antidepressants
Dosage and route of Indication (for specific Nursing Responsibilities/
Mode of Action Side Effects Contraindications
administration disease) Patient Teaching
Oral Imipramine is a Tofranil is a tricyclic Significant: Any degree of heart block Check the doctors order as
Adult: dibenzazepine TCA that is antidepressant used to - Anticholinergic or cardiac arrhythmias, well as the patient’s chart,
- Ambulatory or believed to increase the treat symptoms of effects (e.g. narrow-angle glaucoma, any history of
Outpatient: 75 mg synaptic concentration of depression. This medicine xerostomia, blurred urinary retention, mania, cardiovascular disorder if
daily in divided serotonin and is sometimes used to treat vision, constipation, porphyria. Severe hepatic applicable.
doses or as a single norepinephrine in the CNS bed-wetting in children urinary retention) impairment.
dose at bedtime. by inhibition of their ages 6 and older. - bone fractures Assess the patient and
(150 – 200 mg daily reuptake into presynaptic - orthostatic take its vital signs prior
as necessary) terminals. Additional hypotension giving the medicine.
- Severely depressed receptor effects have been - photosensitization
hospitalized found including - mild pupillary dilation Educate the patient about
patients: 100 mg tid. desensitization of adenyl - hypomanic or manic Tofranil and explain why it
cyclase, and down episodes is necessary to take this
May be taken with or regulation of β-adrenergic - bone marrow medicine.
without food. and serotonin receptors. suppression.
Enlighten the patient about
the possible side effects
Psychiatric disorders: she/he might experience
- Anxiety after taking this medicine.
- Agitation
- Euphoria Encourage the patient to
- Confusion avoid smoking and drinking
- Delirium alcohol while taking this
- Disorientation medication.
- Hallucinations
- Restlessness Monitor patient for any
- Sleep disorder mood and behavioral
changes.
Generic Name: Sertraline
Brand Name: Zoloft
Classification: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
Dosage and route of Indication (for specific Nursing Responsibilities/
Mode of Action Side Effects Contraindications
administration disease) Patient Teaching
Depression, OCD: Sertraline is a popular Symptomatic treatment of - Nausea Sertraline is Check the doctors order as
- 50 mg daily antidepressant medication depression including - Diarrhea/ loose stool contraindicated in patients well as the patient’s chart,
commonly known as a depression accompanied - Anorexia with a known if applicable.
Panic disorder, PTSD, & selective serotonin by symptoms of anxiety in - Dizziness hypersensitivity to its
social phobia: reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), patients w/ or w/o history of - Somnolence ingredients. Assess the patient and
- Initially 25 mg daily, and is similar to drugs such mania. Obsessive - Insomnia take its vital signs prior
increase dose to 50 as Citalopram and compulsive disorders - Dyspepsia giving the medicine.
mg daily after 1 Fluoxetine. (OCD). Panic disorder w/ - Male sexual
week. or w/o agoraphobia. Post- dysfunction Educate the patient about
traumatic stress disorder (ejaculatory delay) Sertraline and explain why
May be taken with or (PTSD). Social phobia - Tremor it is necessary to take this
without food. (social anxiety disorder). - Dry mouth medicine.
- Increased sweating
Orally administered QD. Enlighten the patient about
the possible side effects
she/he might experience
after taking this medicine.

Monitor for emergence of

signs and symptoms of
serotonin syndrome or
NMS, suicide/suicidal
thoughts or clinical
worsening.

Instruct the patient to avoid

use with other drugs
enhancing effects of
serotonergic
neurotransmission.
S