Pharmacology Anti-infectives: used for the treatment of infections. Common side effects include GI upset.

Anti-hypertensive: lower blood pressure and increase blood flow to the myocardium. Common side effects include orthostatic hypotension. Other side effects are specific to types of antihypertensive prescribed. Antidiarrheals: decrease gastric motility and reduce water content in the intestinal tract. Side effects include bloating and gas. Diuretics: decrease water and sodium absorption from the loop of Henle( loop diurectics) or inhibit antidiurectic hormone (potassium sparing diurectics ). Side effects of non-potassium sparking diurectics include hypokalemia. Antacids: reduce hydrochloric acid in the stomach. A common side effect of calcium and aluminum based antacids is constipation. Magnesium based antacids frequently cause diarrhea. Antipyretics: reduce fever Antihistamines: block the release of histamine in allergic reactions. Common side effects of antihistamines are dry mouth, drowsiness, and sedation. Bronchodilators: dilate large air passages and are commonly prescribed for clinets with asthma and chronic obstructive lung disease. A common side effect of these is tachycardia. Laxatives: promote the passage of stool. Types of laxatives include stool softeners, cathartics, fiber, lubricants, and stimulants. Anticoagulants: prevent clot formation by decreasing vitamin K levels and blocking the clotting chain or by preventing platelet aggregation. Antianemics: increase factors necessary for red blood cell production. Examples, include B12, iron, and Epogen (erythropoietin) Narcotics/analgesics: relieve moderate to severe pain. Medications in this category include opiods (morphine and codeine), synthetic opiods (meperidine) and NSAIDS (ketorolac). Anticonvulsants: used for the management of seizure disorder and treatment of bipolar disorder. Mediations used as as anticonvulsants include: Phenobarbital, phenytoin (dilantin), and lorazepam (ativan). Anticholinergics: Cause the mucous membranes to become dry; therefore, oral secretions are decreased. Anticholinergics such as atropine are often administered preoperatively. Mydriatics: dilate the pupils Are used in the treatment of clients with cataracts.

Miotics: constrict the pupil. Such pilocarpine HCL are used in the treatment of clients with glaucoma. Time Released Drugs: The following abbreviations indicated to the nurse that the drug is time-released. These preparations should not be crushed or opened. Dur: duration SR: sustained release CR: continuous release SA: sustained action Contin. = continuous action LA= long acting Enteric coated tablets and caplets are those coated with thick shell that prevents the medication from being absorbed in the upper GI tract, allowing the medication to be absorbed more slowly. Spansules are capsules containing time released beads that are released slowly. The nurse should not alter the preparation of these types of medications. Administering Medications: -nurse must identify the client by reviewing the physicians order. -administer by the right route -Follow the 7 Rights of administering medication 1.