DRUG STUDY

Prescribed and
Recommended
Generic Name
Dosage, Mechanism of
Brand Name Indication Contraindication Adverse Reaction Nursing Responsiblities
Frequency, and Action
Classifications
route of
Administration
GENERIC NAME: Capsules (sustained- oxygen demand by To prevent chronic Contraindicated in CNS: headache, Use cautiously in
Nitroglycerin release): 2.5 mg, 6.5 decreasing left angina attacks; patients dizziness, patients with
mg, 9 mg, 13 mg ventricular end Acute angina hypersensitive to weakness. hypotension or volume
Brand name: diastolic pressure pectoris; to prevent nitrates and in those CV: orthostatic
Nitrostat depletion;
Tablet: 0.2 0.6 mg SL (preload) and to a or minimize angina with early MI, severe hypotension, Closely monitor vital
Drug q 5 mins for maximum lesser extent, attacks before anemia, increased Tachycardia, signs during infusion,
Classification: of 3 doses in 15 systemic vascular stressful events; intracranial pressure, flushing, particularly blood
Nitrates Drug, minutes resistance Hypertension from angle-closure palpitations, pressure, especially in a
Anti Anginals (afterload). Also surgery, heart failure glaucoma, fainting. patient with an MI;
Topical: 2% ointment increases blood flow after MI, angina orthostatic EENT: burning To apply ointment,
through the collateral pectoris in acute hypotension, allergy GI: nausea, measure the prescribed
Transdermal: 0.1 coronary vessels. situations, to to adhesives vomiting amount on the
mg/hr, 0.2 mg/hr, 0.3 produce controlled (transdermal), or SKIN: cutaneous application paper; then
mg/hr, 0.4 mg/hr, 0.6 hypotension during hypersensitivity to vasodilation, place the paper on any
mg/hr, 0.8 mg/hr surgery. nitrates. I.V. contact dermatitis, nonhairy area. Dont rub
release rate nitroglycerin is rash in. cover with plastic film
contraindicated in OTHER: to aid absorption and to
patients hypersensitivity protect clothing. Remove
hypersensitive to I.V. all excess ointment from
form, cardiac the previous site before
tamponade, applying the next dose.
restrictive Avoid getting ointment
cardiomyopathy, or on fingers;
constrictive
Transdermal dosage
pericarditis
forms can be applied to
any nonhairy part of the
skin except distal parts
of the arms or legs
 (absorption wont be
maximal at distal sites).
Patch may cause contact
dermatitis;
Remove transdermal
patch before
defibrillation. Because of
the aluminum backing
the patch, the electric
current may cause
arcing that can damage
the paddles and burn the
patient;
When stopping
transdermal treatment of
angina, gradually reduce
the dose and frequency
of application over 4 to 6
weeks;
Monitor blood pressure
and intensity and
duration of drug
response;
Drug may cause
headaches, especially at
beginning of therapy.
Dosage may be reduced
temporarily, but
tolerance usually
develops. Treat
headache with aspirin or
acetaminophen;
Tolerance to drug can be
minimized with a 10 to
12 hour nitrate-free
interval. To achieve this,
 remove the transdermal
system in the early
evening and apply a new
system the next morning
or omit the last daily
dose of a buccal,
sustained-release or
ointment form. Check
with the prescriber for
alterations in dosage
regimen if tolerance is
suspected;
Nitroglycerin may
interfere with cholesterol
determination tests using
the Zlatkis-Zak color
reaction, resulting in
falsely decreased
values;