DRUG NAME

(Generic/Brand Name/ MECHANISM OF INDICATIONS CONTRAINDICATIONS ADVERSE EFFECTS NURSING

Classification/Dosage/ ACTION RESPONSIBILITIES/PRECAUTION
Frequency)
Angiotensin-converting Alone or with other Contraindicated in CNS: dizziness, fatigue, Watch for signs of angioedema,
CAPTOPRIL enzyme (ACE) inhibitors agents in the patients who are headache, insomnia. including rashes, raised patches of red
Therapeutic: block the conversion of management of hypertensive to this or white skin (welts), burning/itching
antihypertensives angiotensin I to the hypertension. product or any other Resp: cough, skin, swelling in the face, and difficulty
Pharmacologic: ACE vasoconstrictor Management of heart angiotensin-converting breathing. Notify physician
inhibitors angiotensin II. ACE failure. Reduction of enzyme inhibitor. CV: hypotension, chest immediately of these signs.
25mg inhibitors also prevent risk of death, heart Avoid in neonates, in pain, palpitations,
1 Tab SL the degradation of failure–related volume depletion and tachycardia. Assess blood pressure periodically and
bradykinin and other
hospitalizations, and renovascular disease. compare to normal values (See
vasodilatory
development of overt GI: taste disturbances, Appendix F) to help determine
prostaglandins. ACE
heart failure following abdominal pain, antihypertensive effects. Report low
inhibitors also increase
plasma renin levels and myocardial infarction. anorexia, constipation, blood pressure (hypotension),
reduce aldosterone Treatment of diabetic diarrhea, nausea, especially if patient experiences
levels. Net result is nephropathy in vomiting. dizziness, fatigue, or syncope.
systemic vasodilation. patients with type 1
Therapeutic Effects: diabetes mellitus and GU: proteinuria, Assess signs and symptoms of CHF
Lowering of blood retinopathy. impaired renal (dyspnea, rales/crackles, peripheral
pressure in patients function. edema, jugular venous distention,
with hypertension. exercise intolerance) to help
Improved survival and Derm: ANGIOEDEMA, document whether drug therapy is
reduced symptoms in rashes, pruritus. F and effective in reducing these symptoms.
patients with heart E: hyperkalemia.
failure. Improved Assess dizziness that might affect gait,
survival and reduced Hemat: balance, and other functional
development of overt AGRANULOCYTOSIS, activities (See Appendix C). Report
heart failure after neutropenia. balance problems and functional
myocardial infarction. limitations to the physician, and
Decreased progression Misc: fever. caution the patient and
of diabetic nephropathy
family/caregivers to guard against falls
with decreased need for
and trauma.
transplantation or
dialysis.