DRUG NAME ROUTE OF INDICATION SIDE EFFECTS CONTRAINDICAT SPECIAL CONSIDERATION MECHANISM OF

AND ADMINISTRA ION ACTION

CLASSIFICATI TION AND
ON FREQUENCY
Amlodipine PO 10 mg once • Treatment of mild to CNS: Light-headedness, Hypersensitivity to • Monitor BP for therapeutic Is a calcium channel
(Norvasc) daily moderate hypertension fatigue, headache. amlodipine effectiveness. BP reduction is blocking agent that
and angina. GI: Abdominal pain, greatest after peak levels of selectively blocks
nausea, flatulence. amlodipine are achieved 6–9 h calcium ion reflux
following oral doses. across cell
• Monitor for S&S of dose- membranes of cardiac
related peripheral or facial and vascular smooth
edema that may not be muscle without
accompanied by weight gain; changing serum
rarely, severe edema may calcium
cause discontinuation of drug. concentrations. It
• Monitor BP with postural predominantly acts on
changes. Report postural the peripheral
hypotension. Monitor more circulation,
frequently when additional decreasing peripheral
antihypertensives or diuretics vascular resistance,
are added. and increases cardiac
• Monitor heart rate; dose- output.
related palpitations (more
common in women) may
occur.
DRUG NAME AND ROUTE OF INDICATION SIDE EFFECTS CONTRAINDICATION SPECIAL MECHANISM OF
CLASSIFICATION ADMINISTRATION CONSIDERATION ACTION
AND FREQUENCY
Atorvastatin PO 20 mg q.d. • Adjunct to diet GI: Abdominal pain, Hypersensitivity to • Monitor for therapeutic Atorvastatin is an
(Lipitor) for the reduction constipation, flatulence. atorvastatin, myopathy, effectiveness which is inhibitor of
of LDL active liver disease, indicated by reduction in reductase 3-
Classifications: cholesterol and unexplained persistent the level of LDL-C. hydroxy-3-methyl-
CARDIOVASCULAR triglycerides in transaminase elevations • Lab tests: Monitor lipid glutaryl coenzyme
AGENT; LIPID- patients with levels within 2–4 wk A (HMG-CoA),
LOWERING AGENT; primary after initiation of therapy which is essential to
HMG-COA or upon change in hepatic production
hypercholesterole
REDUCTASE
INHIBITOR (STATIN) mia and mixed dosage; monitor liver of cholesterol.
dyslipidemia. functions at 6 and 12 wk Lipitor increases the
after initiation or number of hepatic
elevation of dose, and low-density-lipid
periodically thereafter. (LDL) receptors,
• Assess for muscle pain, thus increasing
tenderness, or weakness; LDL uptake and
and, if present, monitor catabolism of LDL.
CPK level (discontinue
drug with marked
elevations of CPK or if
myopathy is suspected).
DRUG NAME ROUTE OF INDICATION SIDE EFFECTS CONTRAINDICAT SPECIAL CONSIDERATION MECHANISM OF
AND ADMINISTRA ION ACTION
CLASSIFICATI TION AND
ON FREQUENCY
Metoprolol PO 50–100 Management of mild to CNS: Dizziness, fatigue Cardiogenic shock, • Take apical pulse and BP Beta-adrenergic
tartrate mg/d in 1–2 severe hypertension GI: Nausea, constipation, sinus bradycardia, before administering drug. blocking agent with
(Betaloc) divided doses (monotherapy or in flatulence heart block greater Report to physician significant preferential effect on
combination with a than first degree, changes in rate, rhythm, or beta1 adrenoreceptors
Classifications: thiazide or vasodilator or overt cardiac failure, quality of pulse or variations located primarily on
AUTONOMIC both) right ventricular in BP prior to administration. cardiac muscle. At
NERVOUS SYSTEM failure secondary to higher doses,
AGENT
• Monitor BP, HR, and ECG
(SYMPATHOMIMET
pulmonary carefully during IV metoprolol also
IC); BETA- hypertension. administration. inhibits beta2
ADRENERGIC • Expect maximal effect on BP receptors located
ANTAGONIST after 1 wk of therapy. chiefly on bronchial
(SYMPATHOLYTIC)
• Take several BP readings and vascular
; musculature.
ANTIHYPERTENSIV
close to the end of a 12 h
dosing interval to evaluate Antihypertensive
E AGENT
adequacy of dosage for action may be due to
patients with hypertension, competitive
particularly in patients on antagonism of
twice daily doses. Some catecholamines at
patients require doses 3 times cardiac adrenergic
a day to maintain satisfactory neuron sites, drug-
control. induced reduction of
• Observe hypertensive patients sympathetic outflow
with CHF closely for to the periphery, and
impending heart failure: to suppression of
Dyspnea on exertion, renin activity.
orthopnea, night cough,
edema, distended neck veins.
• Lab tests: Obtain baseline and
periodic evaluations of blood
cell counts, blood glucose,
liver and kidney function.
• Monitor I&O, daily weight;
auscultate daily for pulmonary
rales.
• Withdraw drug if patient
presents symptoms of mental
depression because it can
progress to catatonia. Possible
symptoms of depression: