Generic Name
Hydralazine HCL (Antihypertensive)
Action
Acts directly on vascular smooth muscle to cause vasodilation, increases
renal and cerebral blood flow
Contraindication
Hypertensive, CAD, mitral valvular rheumatic heart disease
Adverse Reaction
Headache, dizziness, tremors, hypotension, tachycardia, anorexia,
nausea & vomiting, diarrhea, constipation
Nursing Responsibility
Give oral drug with food to increase bioavailability (drug should be
given in a consistent relationship to ingestion of food for consistent
response to therapy).
Drug may cause a syndrome resembling systemic lupus erythematosus
(SLE)
Arrange for CBC, LE cell preparation, and ANA titers before and
periodically during prolonged therapy
Generic Name
Isoxsuprine (vasodilator)
Brand name
Vasodilan
Action
isoxsuprine increases muscle blood flow, increasing muscle blood flow by
beta-receptor stimulation, has a direct action on vascular smooth muscle,
inhibits prostaglandin synthetase at high serum concentrations, with low
concentrations there was an increase in the P-G synthesis
Contraindication
Hypersensitivity to isoxsuprine or any component of the formulation;
presence of arterial bleeding; do not administer immediately postpartum
Adverse Reaction
Chest pain, hypotension, tachycardia, dizziness, rash, nausea, vomiting,
weakness
Nursing Responsibility
Monitor V/S
Monitor I & O
Assess fluid volume status
Generic Name
Metoclopramide (Antiemetics)
Brand name
Reglan
Action
Metoclopramide inhibits gastric smooth muscle relaxation
produced by dopamine, increasing cholinergic response
of the gastrointestinal smooth muscle, It accelerates intestinal
transit and gastric emptying by preventing relaxation of gastric
body and increasing the phasic activity of antrum
Contraindication
Hypersensitivity, Possible GI obstruction or hemorrhage, seizure disorders,
Pheochromocytoma, Parkinson’s disease, depression, History of depression,
diabetes extrapyramidal reactions
Adverse Reaction
Drowsiness, extrapyramidal reactions, restlessness
Nursing Responsibility
Assess for nausea, vomiting, abdominal distention,and bowel sounds.
Assess patient for extrapyramidal side effects
Monitor for tardive dyskinesia
Monitor for neuroleptic malignant syndrome
Generic Name
Digoxin (Antiarrhythmic)
Brand Name
Lanoxin
Action
Rapid digitalization and for maintenance therapy in CHF, atrial fibrillation,
atrial flutter, paroxysmal atrial tachycardia
Contraindication
antacids, cholestyramine, colestipol decrease digoxin absorption; diuretics,
corticosteroids, amphotericin B, laxatives, sodium polystyrene sulfonate
may cause hypokalemia, increasing the risk of digoxin toxicity
Adverse Reaction
Nausea, fatigue, muscle weakness, headache, facial neuralgia, mental
depression, hallucinations, confusion, drowsiness, agitation, arrhythmias,
hypotension
Nursing Responsibility
Monitor V/S
Monitor for S&S of drug toxicity
Monitor I&O ratio during digitalization
Monitor for edema daily and auscultate chest for rales