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Must Know MEDS
Adenosine (Adenocard)
Mechanism
Slows AV Conduction
Indications
Supraventricular Tachycardia (Paroxysmal)
Side Effects
Bradycardia
Flushing
Dyspnea
Considerations
Rapid IV Push
Caffeine and Theophylline Decrease Effectiveness
Dipyridamole May Intensify Effects
2 mins
Alteplase
Mechanism
Tissue Plasminogen Activator
Indications
Thrombosis
Side Effects
Bleeding
Contraindications
Intracranial Hemorrhage
Internal Hemorrhaging
Considerations
Minimize Bleeding
Monitor for Shock
Antidote
Aminocaproic Acid
2 mins
Atorvastatin (Lipitor)
Characteristics
-statin Suffix
Mechanism
HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors
Indications
High Cholesterol
Side Effects
Hepatotoxicity
Rash
Rhabdomyolysis
Myopathy
Considerations
Monitor Liver Enzymes
Administer at Bedtime
Avoid Grapefruit
2 mins
Acetaminophen
Indications
Fever
Pain
Mechanism of Action
Reversibly Inhibits COX
Acts Primarily in CNS
Side Effect
Hepatic Necrosis
N-acetylcysteine Antidote
51 secs
Acyclovir (Zovirax)
Mechanism
Guanosine Analog
Inhibits Viral Replication
Thymidine Kinase Activation
Indications
Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV)
Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV)
Side Effects (Oral)
Headache
GI Distress
Side Effects (IV)
CNS Toxicity
Nephrotoxicity (Crystalline Nephropathy)
Considerations
Prevents Recurrent Episodes
Slow IV Infusion
2 mins
Albuterol (Proventil)
Mechanism
Short-Acting Beta-2 Agonist
Indications
Bronchospasm
Asthma
Side Effects
Angina
Tachycardia
Tremor
1 min
Alendronate (Fosamax)
Mechanism
Inhibits Osteoclasts
Indications
Osteoporosis
Paget's Disease
Side Effects
Esophageal Ulcers
Musculoskeletal Pain
Vision Changes
Atrial Fibrillation
Osteonecrosis of the Jaw
Considerations
Take on Empty Stomach
Remain Upright
2 mins
Ampicillin and Amoxicillin
Mechanism
Aminopenicillin
Broad Spectrum Penicillin
Indications
Gram-Positive and Some Gram-Negative Infections
Side Effects
Rash
Diarrhea
Considerations
No Effect Against Staph Aureus
Often combined with Beta Lactamase Inhibitor
Allergic Reaction
2 mins
Aspirin (Acetylsalicylic Acid)
Mechanism
Inhibits Platelet Aggregation
NSAID
Indications
Thrombotic Event Prevention
General Pain
Inflammatory Conditions
Fever
Side Effects
Pancytopenia
GI Ulcers
Bleeding
Considerations
Withhold Before Surgery 7-10 Days
Reye's Syndrome
2 mins
Atropine
Mechanism of Action
Muscarinic Antagonist
Indications
Bradycardia
Increased Exocrine Secretions
Smooth Muscle Spasms
Side Effects
Tachycardia
Dry Mouth
Urinary Retention
2 mins
Benztropine (Cogentin)
Mechanism
Anticholinergic
Indications
Parkinson's Disease
Acute Dystonia
Side Effects
Mydriasis
Dry Mouth
Urinary Retention
Tachycardia
Constipation
Psychosis
1 min
Bupropion
Indications
Depression
Smoking Cessation
Mechanism of Action
Increase Dopamine and NE
Side Effects
Stimulant Side Effects
Seizure
1 min
Buspirone (Buspar)
Mechanism
Increases Serotonin
Indications
Anxiety
Side Effects
Dizziness
Insomnia
Considerations
Delayed Effect
Safer with Alcohol than Other Anxiolytics
Low Side Effect Profile
Low Abuse Potential
1 min
Butorphanol
Indications
Migraine
Severe Pain
Labor
Mechanism of Action
Partial Agonist at Mu and Full Agonist at Kappa Receptors
Less Respiratory Depression
Side Effects
Withdrawal Symptoms
1 min
Carbamazepine (Tegretol)
Mechanism
Inactivates Na+ Channels
Indications
Seizures
Bipolar Disorder
Trigeminal Neuralgia
Side Effects
Nystagmus
Ataxia
Hepatotoxicity
Blood Dyscrasias
Water Retention
Stevens-Johnson Syndrome
Considerations
Avoid Grapefruit Juice
2 mins
Levodopa/Carbidopa (Sinemet)
Indications
Parkinson's Disease
Mechanism of Action
Increase Dopamine in Brain
Cross blood-brain barrier
Increase bioavailability
Side Effects
Arrhythmias
Dyskinesia
1 min
Levodopa/Carbidopa (Sinemet)
Mechanism
Increases Dopamine in Brain
Indications
Parkinson's Disease
Side Effects
Nausea and Vomiting
Arrhythmias
Dyskinesia
Psychosis
Orthostatic Hypotension
Considerations
Report Uncontrolled Movements
Darkened Sweat or Urine
Off and On Phenomenon
2 mins
Celecoxib
Indications
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Osteoarthritis
Pain
Mechanism of Action
NSAID
Selectively Inhibits COX-2
Side Effects
Sulfa Allergy
Increased Risk of Thrombosis
GI Bleed
Contraindication
Pregnancy > 30 Weeks
1 min
Cephalosporins
Starts with "Cef-"
Mechanism of Action
Bactericidal
Indications
Gram-Positive and Gram-Negative Infections
Side Effects
Allergic Reactions
Thrombophlebitis
Bleeding
Contraindications
Renal Impairment
Considerations
Avoid IV Calcium with Ceftriaxone
No Alcohol
2 mins
Chlorpromazine (Thorazine)
Mechanism
Low Potency Antipsychotic
Indications
Schizophrenia
Hiccups
Side Effects
Sedation
Weight Gain
Orthostatic Hypotension
Anticholinergic Effects
QT Prolongation
Neuroendocrine Effects
Caution in Seizure Patients
Corneal Deposits
2 mins
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