Pharmacological Characteristics, Research Paper Example

Drug 1

Brand Name: Ativan Generic Name: Lorazepam Drug Class: Benzodiazepines

Mechanisms of Action: This drug is primarily used to treat anxiety-related disorders, including the symptoms of anxiety and related depression, on a short-term basis (FDA.gov). The drug has not been evaluated for use beyond a period of four months, and each patient must be evaluated on a regular basis in order to determine if the drug continues to have the desired impact for patients (FDA.gov).

Drug-Drug/Drug-Food Interactions: Significant drug interactions include depressants such as alcohol sedatives, anesthetics, antipsychotics, and narcotic analgesics, among others (FDA.gov). In addition, there is a significant risk of sedation and hypotension when used concurrently with clozapine (FDA.gov). Lorazepam when used in conjunction with valproate will contribute to an increase in plasma concentrations and also a limited lorazepam clearance (FDA.gov). When lorazepam is used with probenecid, lorazepam may cause a greater and lengthier effect on a patient, which requires a lower dosage (FDA.gov).

Contraindications and Drug Incompatibilities: In general, lorazepam should not be taken while under the influence of alcohol and/or other depressants due to a high risk of sedation and marked impairment (FDA.gov). There is a potential risk of lorazepam use during pregnancy, which could lead to congenital malformations for some patients during the first trimester; therefore, the use of the drug may not be desirable during pregnancy (FDA.gov). Furthermore, women who are breastfeeding should not take lorazepam due to the risk of transmission via milk from mother to child (FDA.gov). Some of the most common adverse reactions to the drug include drowsiness, confusion, fatigue, memory impairment, depression, nausea, problems with sleeping, and headache, among others (FDA.gov).

Drug #2

Brand Name: Roxicodone Generic Name: Oxycodone   Drug Class: Opiates Mechanisms of Action: This drug is primarily used to treat moderate to severe pain in patients who are able to take opioid analgesics (FDA.gov). This drug does not contribute to loss of consciousness and does not impact vision, touch, and hearing, among other sensory capabilities (FDA.gov). The drug is designed to create respiratory depression and reduces the response time of the respiratory centers in the brain stem (FDA.gov).

Drug-Drug/Drug-Food Interactions: The drug may work concurrently with neuromuscular blocking agents to create additional levels of respiratory depression; in addition, patients who take drug classifications such as general anesthetics, narcotic analgesics, sedative-hypnotics, depressants such as alcohol, and tranquilizers may contribute to significant levels of respiratory depression, sedation, coma, and hypotension (FDA.gov). For patients taking the drug, other drugs such as agonist/antagonist analgesics should be used with extreme caution, and patients taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) may cause respiratory depression, anxiety, and even coma in some patients (FDA.gov).

Contraindications and Drug Incompatibilities: The drug is not recommended for patients who have a heightened sensitivity to oxycodone, including patients who suffer from respiratory depression (FDA.gov). In addition, patients who have bronchial asthma or hypercarbia should not take the drug, nor should patients who have paralytic ileus (FDA.gov). Patients who are pregnant should use the drug with caution and only when the potential benefits outweigh the risks; also, the drug should not be used in women during the labor and delivery stage (FDA.gov). Finally, patients who are taking the drug should not breastfeed, as there is a significant risk of withdrawal symptoms in infants if drug use is terminated (FDA.gov).

Drug #3

Brand Name: Narcan Generic Name: Nalaxone Drug Class: Opiate Antagonist Mechanisms of Action: This drug is used to reverse the impact of opioids that include respiratory depression and sedation (FDA.gov). The drug may contribute to withdrawal symptoms for opioid users, but itself does not cause dependence (FDA.gov).

Drug-Drug/Drug-Food Interactions: The drug may be required in large doses to counteract buprenorphine; however, the use of methohexital may reduce withdrawal symptoms in conjunction with the drug (FDA.gov).

Contraindications and Drug Incompatibilities: Patients who are hypersensitive to naloxone hydrochloride should not take this drug; in addition, if the drug is administered to patients with a dependence on opioids, acute withdrawal syndrome may occur (FDA.gov).

Medication Safety Guidelines

Medication safety is a critical factor in all healthcare environments and requires an understanding of how to interpret medical records to identify possible complications when prescribing medications. Therefore, electronic medical records must be examined in order to effectively manage the needs of the patient population and to promote medication safety without complications or further risks (Sittig & Singh, 2012). Medication safety begins with an understanding of adverse events and what is required to ensure that patients are safe from harm; therefore, an examination of medical records and expert knowledge of drug interactions are critical steps in this process (Pham et.al, 2012). Nurses must communicate information regarding patient medications to improve safety and to prevent possible complications and other challenges related to their administration (Pham et.al, 2012). These factors must play a role in shaping positive and safe outcomes for all patients.

References

FDA.gov. Ativan (lorazepam). Retrieved from            http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2007/017794s034s035lbl.pdf

FDA.gov. Narcan. Retrieved from http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2002/016636s052s054lbl.pdf

FDA.gov. Roxicodone. Retrieved from            http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2009/021011s003lbl.pdf

Pham, J. C., Aswani, M. S., Rosen, M., Lee, H., Huddle, M., Weeks, K., & Pronovost, P. J. (2012). Reducing medical errors and adverse events. Annual review of medicine, 63, 447-463.

Sittig, D. F., & Singh, H. (2012). Electronic health records and national patient-safety goals. New England Journal of Medicine, 367(19), 1854-1860.