Overview of Common Medications and Nursing Implications

This assignment provides a detailed overview of several common medications, including Fruitlax, Cephulac, Lopressor, Tylenol, Xalatan, and Bid Divolo. Each medication entry includes trade names, generic names, drug classes, therapeutic actions, common and serious side effects, contraindications, nursing considerations, indications, interactions, and administration guidelines. The assignment emphasizes the importance of patient assessment, drug interactions, and patient teaching. For example, it highlights the use of Fruitlax for constipation, Lactulose for liver diseases, Metoprolol for hypertension, Acetaminophen for pain, Latanoprost for glaucoma, and Bid Divolo for acidity. The assignment aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of each medication's use, potential side effects, and nursing implications to ensure safe and effective patient care. Drug-drug interactions and patient education are emphasized throughout the assignment, ensuring that healthcare professionals are well-informed about the medications they administer.

Trade Name (s) Generic Name Drug Classes/Pregnancy
Fruitlax 30 ml Laxative Drug Managing constipation in adults. Laxative
Therapeutic Actions Side Effects
common/serious adverse
Contraindications Nursing Considerations
Helps in relieving
constipation. It helps
in softening stool.
Stomach pain, diarrhea, or
cramping may occur. Can
also cause irritated throat.
The ingredients of
the medication may
cause allergies in
some patients.
Therefore,
medication must be
taken with the
advice of doctor.
Assessment
Patient should be
assessed for discomfort,
pain and anxiety.
Indication Interactions Administration
Indicated to treat
constipation.
Constipation can again occur
due to overuse of laxatives.
Drug interaction
may result in
creating abdominal
pain, nausea,
vomiting and
sudden change in
bowel habits.
Should be administered
after meal.
Interaction Drug-
Drug
Evaluation
The drug interaction
may occur with
mineral oil, and
drugs containing
phenolphthalein.
Patient’s condition must
be evaluated, by assessing
the comfort level of the
patient. Patient should be
able to have soft stool on
regular intervals.
Patient Teaching
Patient should be
informed about time of
medication and frequency
of medication.

Trade Name (s) Generic Name Drug Classes/Pregnancy
Cephulac, Enulose Lactulose
Therapeutic
Actions
Side Effects
common/serious
adverse
Contraindications Nursing Considerations
Lactulose is used
for treating the
problem of
constipation and
also to reduce
ammonia in
patients with liver
diseases.
The side effects may
include stomach pain,
gas, burping, nausea and
cramps
 hypersens. to
drug/class/compon
 galactosemia
 Caution required
if patient has
diabetes mellitus
Assessment
The drug take 48 hours
to treat the problem of
constipation, therefore,
patient should be
assessed for any
problems related to
severe pain, nausea,
vomiting, irregular heart
beat and mood swings as
these are some of the
serious side effects
Indication Interactions Administration
Indicated to be used
for treatment of
chronic
constipation and
also indicated for
the management of
portal-systemic
(hepatic)
encephalopathy
(PSE).
Severe vomiting, pain
and cramps.
This medication can
interact with antacids
containing aluminum
and/or magnesium,
other laxatives
This medication is
required to be given
orally to treat the
complications associated
with constipation. It is
also used and given
rectally to reduce the
amount of ammonia in
the blood of the patients
suffering with liver
diseases.
Interaction Drug-Drug Evaluation
Should not be used with
other laxatives during the
treatment of hepatic
encephalopathy (leads to
inability to determine
optimal dose of
lactulose).
Passage of soft formed
stool within the period of
48 hours
Should be able to clear
irritation and discomfort.
Patient Teaching
Patient must be
encouraged for other
forms of bowel
regulation, should
increase mobility and
fluid intake.

Trade Name (s) Generic Name Drug Classes/Pregnancy
Lopressor Metoprolol Beta Blocker
Therapeutic
Actions
Side Effects
common/serious adverse
Contraindications Nursing
Considerations
Used for relaxing
blood vessels and
slowing heart rate.
Therefore, it is used
to treat high blood
pressure and
prevent angina.
Side effects are depression,
dizziness, nausea,
vomiting, stomach pain,
dry mouth, constipation,
tiredness, and also rashes
and itching.
Abrupt
discontinuation,
thyroid disease,
diabetes,
cerebrovascular
disease
Assessment
Patient should be
assessed for any kind
of signs and
symptoms of side
effects.
Indication Interactions Administration
Metoprolol tartrate
tablets are
specifically
indicated for
treating
hypertension and
can be used alone or
in combination with
antihypertensive.
Also, indicated in
long term treatment.
Drug that interact are
antidepressants
including bupropion,
Antimalaria drugs such
as hydroxychloroquine,
medications used for
treating stomach
conditions and heart
burn, anti-fungal
medications and
certain HIV drugs.
100 mg tablet single
or divided doses.
Should be given
immediately
following meal. 100
mg tablet single or
divided doses. Should
be given immediately
following meal.
Interaction Drug-
Drug
Evaluation
Antidepressants
including bupropion
(Wellbutrin),
fluoxetine (Prozac,
Sarafem), and
paroxetine (Paxil)
Antimalaria drugs such
as
hydroxychloroquine.
Patient should get
relief, blood pressure
should be reduced and
no side effects must
exist.
Patient Teaching
Patient must be
informed to take
medication as
directed, must not be
missed or double up
in case of missed
dose. Do not abruptly
withdraw medication

Trade Name (s) Generic Name Drug Classes/Pregnancy
Tylenol Acetaminophen Analgesic
Therapeutic
Actions
Side Effects
common/serious
adverse
Contraindications Nursing
Considerations
Used to treat mild
to moderate pain
such as headache,
backaches and
other mild pains.
Hypersensitivity
reactions,
Contradiction in the case of patient
with hypersensitivity to
Acetaminophen or to any kind of
excipients in intravenous
formulation. Also, contradicts in
patients with severe active liver
disease and severe hepatic
impairment.
Assessment
Overall health status,
alcohol consumption
before administering
medication.
Indication Interactions Administration
Indicated to be
given in mild or
moderate range
of pain.
Anemia, kidney
damage, serious skin
reaction, reducing
number of platelets in
blood.
Should not be used with alcohol as
it can increase stomach bleeding.
Medication to be
administered orally.
Interaction Drug-Drug Evaluation
Interact with drugs such as
carbamazepine (Tegretol), isoniazid
, rifampin (Rifamate, Rifadin,
and Rimactane).
Cholestyramine (Questran) also
reduces the absorption of
acetaminophen.
Evaluation of
patient’s condition in
3 hours for
acetaminophen alone.
Patient Teaching
Pregnant and breast
feeding mother must
avoid this medication.
Patient should be
informed to call
doctor in case offside
effect.

Trade Name (s) Generic Name Drug Classes/Pregnancy
Xalatan Lactanoprost Prostaglandin analogs
Therapeutic
Actions
Side Effects
common/serious adverse
Contraindications Nursing
Considerations
Used for the
treatment of
glaucoma or other
eye diseases. It is
similar to natural
chemical in body,
which is
prostaglandin and
works in regulating
the flow of liquid in
the eyes. Lowering
high pressure in eyes
helps in preventing
blindness.
Burning, itching and redness
in eyes and also causes
blurred vision.
Create
contradictions in
patients with
maculopathy,
inflammation of iris,
absent eye lens, also
contradicts in case
of hepatic
impairment and
renal diseases.
contradicts with
closed angle
glaucoma, UV
exposure, Corneal
abrasion, keratitis,
ocular infection,
ocular surgery,
ocular trauma and
pregnancy.
Assessment
Obtaining health
history, information
about allergies, and also
drug history.
Indication Interactions Administration
Indicated for
reduction of elevated
intraocular pressure
in the patients with
ocular hypertension
and glaucoma.
Changes in the number,
color, length, thickness of
eye lashes, can also affect
eye lids, skin irritation and
increase sensitivity to light.
corneal erosion, macular
edema, bronchospasm etc.
Can interact with
eyelash treatment,
muscular edema,
renal/liver diseases,
herpes and
respiratory
disorders.
It is for ophthalmic use
and must be instilled
directly in the eyes.
Interaction Drug-
Drug
Evaluation
Interact with drugs
such as, bimatoprost
ophthalmic,
bimatoprost topical,
Lumigan
(bimatoprost
ophthalmic) etc.
Evaluating through
improvements in
patients and getting
expected outcomes.
Patient Teaching
Maintaining compliance
with treatment,
monitoring development
of eye pains worsening
may indicate side
effects.

Trade Name (s) Generic Name Drug Classes/Pregnancy
Bid Divolo Divolo Antacid
Therapeutic
Actions
Side Effects
common/serious adverse
Contraindications Nursing
Considerations
Helps in reliving
heartburn, sour
stomach, acid
indigestion.
Helps in
increasing water
in intestine and
also provides the
temporary relief
from cracked and
chapped skin.
Netralizes gastric
acidity by
increasing gastric
ph. Also used for
Gastroesophageal
reflux disease.
Side effects are nausea,
constipation, diarrhea,
headache.
Contradiction in
case patient suffers
from kidney
diseases, stomach or
intestine blockage.
Assessment
Patient health history
must be obtained. Level
of alchol consumption
must also be determined
because high level of
alcohol can
significantly interact
with medication and
can cause severe kidney
damage.
Indication Interactions Administration
The medication
is indicated to be
given for
relieving acidity.
Medication is
also indicated to
manage GERD
in adult patients.
No serious side effects. Can interact if the
patient has kidney
diseases or when
patient is on sodium
restricted diet.
Medication is
administered orally.
Interaction Drug-
Drug
Evaluation
Can interact with
following drug
products such as
Ascorbic acid,
Biphosphonate
derivatives,
Cyclosporin,
Delavirdine,
Penicillamine etc
Patient should be
informed to take
medication according to
direction of the doctor
and must contact doctor
immediately in case of
severe side effects.
Patient Teaching
Must take as directed,
do not overdose in case
of missed dose.