GENERIC NAME Prednisone

BRAND NAME ApoPrednisone (CAN), Deltasone, Liquid Pred, Meticorten, NovoPrednisone (CAN), Orasone, Panasol-S, PrednicenM, PrednisoneIntensol, Sterapred DS, Winpred (CAN)

CLASSIFICATION Corticosteroid (intermediate acting), Glucocorticoid, Hormone

INDICATION - Replacement therapy in adrenal cortical insufficiency Hypercalcemia associated with cancer Short-term management of various inflammatory and allergic disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis, collagen diseases (eg, SLE), dermatologic diseases (eg, pemphigus), status asthmaticus, and autoimmune disorders Hematologic disorders: thrombocytopeni

CONTRA INDICATION Contraindicated with infections, especially tuberculosis, fungal infections, amebiasis, vaccinia and varicella, and antibioticresistant infections; lactation.

DOSE,ROUTE FREQUENCY 40-60 mg daily for 3-10 days; give as single or in 2 divided doses PO

ADVERSE RXN Vertigo, headache, paresthesias, insomnia, convulsions, psychosis, cataracts, increased intraocular pressure, glaucoma (long-term therapy) Hypotension, shock, hypertension and CHF secondary to fluid retention, thromboembolism, thrombophlebitis, fat embolism, cardiac arrhythmias Na+ and fluid retention, hypokalemia, hypocalcemia Amenorrhea, irregular menses, growth retardation, decreased carbohydrate tolerance, diabetes mellitus, cushingoid state (longterm effect), increased blood sugar, increased serum cholesterol,

NURSING CONSIDERATION - Administer once-aday doses before 9 AM to mimic normal peak corticosteroid blood levels. Increase dosage when patient is subject to stress. Taper doses when discontinuing highdose or long-term therapy. Do not give live virus vaccines with immunosuppressive doses of corticosteroids.

a purpura, erythroblastopen ia Ulcerative colitis, acute exacerbations of multiple sclerosis and palliation in some leukemias and lymphomas Trichinosis with neurologic or myocardial involvement

decreased T3 and T4 levels, HPA suppression with systemic therapy longer than 5 days Peptic or esophageal ulcer, pancreatitis, abdominal distention, nausea, vomiting, increased appetite, weight gain (long-term therapy) Hypersensitivity or anaphylactoid reactions

GENERIC NAME Nifedipine

BRAND NAME Adalat, Adalat CC, Procardia, Procardia XL

CLASSIFICATI ON cardiovascular agent; calcium channel blocker; antiar rhythmic (class iv); nonnitrate vasodilator

INDICATION -Angina Pectoris dueto coronary arteryspasm -Chronic unstableangina -SR preparation only:Treatment of hypertension. -Orphan drug use: Treatment of interstitialcystitis.

CONTRA INDICATION Contraindicated with patients who are allergic to nifedipine

DOSE,ROUTE FREQUENCY 10-40 mg tab twice daily PO

ADVERSE RXN

NURSING CONSIDERATION

CNS: Monitor BP headache,asthenia, carefully during dizziness,fatigue, titration period. nervousness,sleep Patient may disturbances. become severely CV: hypotensive, peripheral edema,angina, especially if also hypotension,arrhythmias taking other drugs , AV block,asystole known to lower BP. Dermatologic: Withhold drug and Flushing, rash,pruritus, notify physician if dermatitis systolic BP <90. GI: Monitor blood nausea,Constipation, d sugar in diabetic iarrhea,cramps, patients. Nifedipine flatulence has diabetogenic OTHER: properties. nasalcongestion, Monitor for gingival cough,fever, chills, hyperplasia and shortnessof breath, report promptly. musclecramps This is a rare but serious adverse effect (similar to phenytoin-induced hyperplasia).