(medications to control blood glucose levels)
This fast-acting medication begins to exert its effects within 15 minutes of subcutaneous administration and peak levels occur 30-90 minutes after administration.
What is Lispro insulin (Humalog)?
Duration of activity is less than five (5) hours.
Used to treat the high blood pressure and fluid build-up associated with heart failure, this medication is NOT indicated for patients with severe kidney disease or patients with hyperkalemia.
What is spironolactone?
Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic, meaning that it helps the body keep potassium.
This medication might be prescribed if the body's "K" level drops below 5.2 mEq/L.
What is potassium chloride (KCl)?
Normal serum potassium (K) is 3.5-5.2 mEq/L
This works by blocking a substance in the body that causes blood vessels to tighten. As a result, blood pressure is lowered.
What is captopril?
Lower BP = increased oxygenation to the heart.
Used to treat heart failure
This oral medication lowers your blood sugar by preventing the breakdown of starch into sugar.
What is acarbose?
Acarbose may be used alone or in combination with another oral diabetes agent called a sulfonylurea.
Used as an adjunct to diet and exercise in the management of type 2 diabetes, this oral medication stimulates insulin release from functioning beta cells in the pancreas and has a one hour onset.
What is glyburide?
This beta-blocker is cardio-selective, meaning it primarily affects heart beta-1 receptors which helps to keep heart rate and blood pressure from elevating.
What is metoprolol?
Not all "beta blockers" are alike!
This steroid nasal spray can adversely affect blood sugar and potassium levels in some patients.
What is fluticasone?
This anti-convulsant is helpful in treating everything from seizures to neuropathy to restless legs.
What is gabapentin?
Commonly used to treat nerve pain but it is classified as an anti-convulsant, not a pain killer.
Used to treat duodenal ulcers, this drug should be taken on an empty stomach for best effect.
What is sucralfate?
This type of intermediate-acting insulin can last throughout the day, lasting longer in the body than natural insulin does.
What is Humulin N, or Novolin N, or NPH?
This beta-blocker is considered NON-selective with additional alpha receptor activity, leading to vasodilation effects and potentially better blood pressure control than metoprolol.
What is carvedilol?
Although a 'stronger' beta blocker, it also has more side effects. Carvedilol is contraindicated in patients with lung conditions like asthma, whereas metoprolol is considered a safer option.
Although this over-the-counter medication works quickly to lower acid in the stomach, it can also bind to phosphate in the gut, causing low phosphate levels.
What is magnesium hydroxide/aluminum hydroxide?
This proton pump inhibitor works to decrease the amount of gastric acid made in the stomach - the kind of acid that builds up during exam time!!!
What is omeprazole? Or what is pantoprazole?
"Heartburn" is not benign! The damage caused in the esophagus can lead to ulcers if not treated.
What is naloxone?
The client is demonstrating signs of opioid overdose.
This oral medication used in patients with type 2 diabetes must be held prior to the patient receiving iodinated contrast for radiographic imaging, in order to avoid kidney damage.
What is metformin (glucophage)?
Used to treat and prevent stroke, this oral medication works by inhibiting factor Xa in the clotting cascade.
What is apixaban (Eliquis)?
It is an alternative to warfarin and does not require frequent blood tests.
If you experience muscle aches from taking this medication, a blood test measuring creatine kinase (CK) levels can help determine if this adverse effect is caused by the medication.
What is atorvastatin?
Muscle damage can be caused by statins and could lead to a dose adjustment, or more likely discontinuation of the medication.
CK is released into the blood stream indicating muscle damage. If the CK is quite high, that is called rhabdomyolysis - pretty debilitating.
This medication is used to treat depression, social anxiety disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, and more. It works by increasing levels of a mood-enhancing chemical called serotonin.
What is escitalopram (Lexapro)?
Drug class: selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI)
Used to control seizures, this medication can increase your risk of developing osteoporosis.
What is phenytoin?
This is the reason why glargine (Lantus) must be given at bedtime.
What is since this insulin lowers the blood glucose over 24 hours, it should only be injected daily at bedtime?This is only used in patients with type 2 diabetes. It reduces fasting blood glucose levels more efficiently and with less nocturnal hypoglycemic events when compared to NPH insulin.
Primarily used to prevent nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy or surgery, this medication can also be used to treat gastroenteritis. (And you thought you had HEART pain? Nope! It was HEART burn after all.)
What is ondansetron (Zofran)?
This antihistamine is used to treat anything from cough - to mild sleep problems - to allergies - to urticaria (hives) - to motion sickness. It works by blocking the effects of histamine in your brain.
What is promethazine?
It also blocks dopamine and this stops you from feeling sick.
This medication can quiet an irritable inflamed bowel by reducing some of the swelling, and is effective in inducing or maintaining remission for ulcerative colitis!
What is mesalamine?
This drug interferes with the body's blood clotting process, preventing clots from forming. It is a natural inhibitor of thrombin.
What is heparin?