ACTIVE LEARNING TEMPLATE: Medication

Michael Everette
STUDENT NAME______________________________________
Citalopram, Escitalopram, Paroxetine, Sertraline, Fluoxetine
MEDICATION___________________________________________________________________________ REVIEW MODULE CHAPTER____________

CATEGORY CLASS__SSRI (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor)

_____________________________________________________________________

PURPOSE OF MEDICATION

Expected Pharmacological Action Therapeutic Use

Reduction in feelings of depression and other - Major Depression
anxiety disorders - Social Anxiety disorder
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

Complications Medication Administration

- Nausea, vomiting, anorexia, Headache - Start with low doses & titrate
- Hypertension
- Insomia, nervousness
upward every 4 days until optimal
- Withdrawal symptoms with abrupt discontinuation (anxiety, agitation, headache, dosage is reached (venlafaxine)
tachycardia) - Give with food to minimize G.I.
- Increased risk for suicide (especially in children, young adults Symptoms
- Make sure clients swallow (not
chew) sustained-release capsules
whole
Contraindications/Precautions
-llergy to venlafaxine or other SNRI's
- Suicidal ideation
- Concurrent administration with MAOI's or within 14 days of last dose. Nursing Interventions
- Liver & kidney disease
- Glaucoma - Monitor for Nausea & other G.I. effects
- Cardiac disorders, hypertension - Monitor for Weight loss related to
anorexia
- Monitor for headache
- Monitor for tinnitus
- Monitor Blood Pressure
Interactions - Taper drug over 2-4 weeks when
- Taking SNRI's within 14 days of MAOI's increases the risk of Serotonin discontinuing
Syndrome. - Monitor for increased depression
- Cimetidine (Tagamet), Desipramine (Norpramin), and Haloperidol (Haldol)
increases blood levels of venlafaxine
- Trazodone (Desyrel), St. John's wort, and sour date nut increase the risk of
Serotonin Syndrome
Client Education
- Take with food
- Report Headache
Evaluation of Medication Effectiveness - Have Blood Pressure checked
regularly
- Take in the morning to void
interference with sleep
- Do not stop taking abruptly
- Report any worsening of depression or
thoughts of suicide

ACTIVE LEARNING TEMPLATES