Generic Name: Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride
Trade Name:
Classification: Antihistamines
Indications (indicated for the patient): Indicated for rhinitis, allergy symptoms, motion sickness; night-
time sleep aid; non-productive cough
Contraindications:
- Hypersensitivity to drug and other similar antihistamines
- Use with caution in patients with prostatic hyperplasia, asthma, COPD, increased IOP, hyperthyroidism,
CV disease, and HTN.
Mechanism of Action: Competes with histamine for H1-receptor sites. Prevents, but doesn’t reverse,
histamine-mediated responses, particularly those of the bronchial tubes, GI tract, uterus, and blood
vessels (reducing allergic reaction symptoms).
Route: slow IVTT
Frequency: Now
Dosage: 25mg
Adverse Reactions/Side Effects: Sedation, dry mouth, sleepiness, dysuria, confusion, insomnia,
headache, nausea, vomiting
Drug-to-Drug, Food-to-Drug Interaction: May increase sedation with CNS depressants. May increase
anticholinergic effects with MAO inhibitors. May increase CNS depression with alcohol use.
Nursing Considerations/Patient Teaching:
- Avoid use in patients taking MAO inhibitors
- Instruct patient to take drug 30 minutes before travel to prevent motion sickness
- Advise Px to take with food or milk to reduce GI stress; avoid alcohol and hazardous activities
- Warn Px of possible photosensitivity reactions. Advise use of sunblock.
Reference:
Woods, A. (2023). Diphenhydramine hydrochloride. In Nursing 2023 Drug Handbook (pp. 440-441).
Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer.
Generic Name: Pantoprazole
Trade Name: Pantro (IV); Prazole Plus (Oral)
Classification: Proton Pump Inhibitor (Antiulcer drugs)
Indications (indicated for the patient): Short-term treatment of erosive esophagitis associated with
GERD; reduces the amount of acid your stomach makes; prevent and treat stomach ulcers
Contraindications:
- Hypersensitivity to drug or other bisphosphonates.
- Use cautiously in patients with renal impairment.
Mechanism of Action: Inhibits proton pump activity by binding to hydrogen-potassium adenosine
triphosphatase, located at secretory surface of gastric parietal cells, to suppress gastric acid secretion.
Route: IVTT; PO
Frequency: OD; ac breakfast OD
Dosage: 40mg; 1 tablet
Adverse Reactions/Side Effects: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation, flatulence, abdominal pain,
dyspepsia, dry mouth
Drug-to-Drug, Food-to-Drug Interaction: Increased risk of hypomagnesaemia with diuretics. Increased
risk of digoxin-induced cardiotoxic effects. May increase INR and prothrombin time of warfarin. May
increase plasma concentration of methotrexate.
Nursing Considerations/Patient Teaching:
- Monitor the patient for any signs of bleeding, such as dark stools or vomiting blood.
- Monitor bowel function.
- Tell Px to swallow tablet whole and not to crush, split, or chew it.
- Instruct Px to take exactly as prescribed and at about the same time every day.
- Tell Px to report all adverse reactions.
Reference:
Woods, A. (2023). Pantoprazole sodium. In Nursing 2023 Drug Handbook (pp. 1151-1154). Philadelphia:
Wolters Kluwer.
Generic Name: Potassium Chloride
Trade Name: Kalium Durule
Classification: Potassium Supplements
Indications (indicated for the patient): Treatment and prophylaxis of hypokalemia in patients for whom
dietary management with potassium-rich foods or diuretic dose reduction are insufficient.
Contraindications:
- Hypersensitivity to potassium chloride or components of the formulation.
- Use cautiously in patients with cardiac disease, renal impairment, and acid-base disorders.
Mechanism of Action: Replaces potassium and maintains potassium level.
Route: PO
Frequency: TID
Dosage: 1 durule
Adverse Reactions/Side Effects: listlessness, confusion, weakness or heaviness of limbs, hypotension,
flatulence, nausea, vomiting
Drug-to-Drug, Food-to-Drug Interaction: May increase hyperkalemia risk with eplerenone. May cause
potassium retention with NSAIDS. May cause hyperkalemia if used together with ACE inhibitors, ARB’s,
digoxin, heparins, and potassium-sparing diuretics.
Nursing Considerations/Patient Teaching:
- Monitor renal function.
- Monitor patients receiving parenteral potassium closely with cardiac monitor. Irregular heartbeat is
usually the earliest clinical indication of hyperkalemia.
- Monitor for and report signs of GI ulceration (esophageal or epigastric pain or hematemesis).
- Tell Px not to be concerned if wax matrix appears in stool because the drug has already been absorbed.
Reference:
Woods, A. (2023). Potassium chloride. In Nursing 2023 Drug Handbook (pp. 1211-1213). Philadelphia:
Wolters Kluwer.
