Autonomic Nervous System--Drugs

Front 1

Epinephrine (Adrenalin)

Back 1

Use: Emergencies, cardiac arrest, severe allergy, bronchospasm
Action: > heart rate, > heart contraction (inotrope), > BP, bronchodilation (opens airways)
SE: Nervousness, palpitations
Nursing Implications: Can be given via SubcQ, IV, IM, inhalation, intracardiac, and endotracheal tube (ET) routes.
Adverse reactions: palpitations, > HR Contraindications: dysrhythmias, narrow angle glaucoma

Front 2

Albuterol (Proventil)

Back 2

): Use: Asthma, prevents & treats bronchospasm
Action: Selective beta-2 agonist; bronchodilation
S. E.: Tremors, nervousness
Nursing Implications: Faster onset with inhalation; cautious use with cardiac patients (some beta-1 effect) in high doses
Given: PO, inhalation, nebulizer

Front 3

Norepinephrine (Levophed)

Back 3

Use: For hypotension, to increase BP, when other drugs fail
Action: Potent vasoconstrictor, alpha adrenergic effect
S.E.: Impaired organ (kidneys), tissue necrosis at IV site; strong vasoconstriction. (nurse monitor IV site)
Nursing: BP and heart monitor; taper off doses slowly to avoid hypotension.
Extravasation from IV drug causing extreme vasoconstriction

Front 4

Dopamine (Intropin)

Back 4

Use: Shock (low BP)
Action: Dilates (low dose); vasoconstricts (high dose); affects receptors: alpha-1, beta-1,
Side Effects: Sympathetic stim.; increased heart rate
Nursing Implications: Monitor VS, EKG, circulation, organ perfusion= Urine OP

Front 5

Dobutamine (Dobutrex)

Back 5

Use: Heart failure
Action: Beta-1 stim; positive inotropic
Side Effects: Tachycardia, high BP, angina
Nursing Implications: ICU monitoring

Front 6

Isoproterenol (Isuprel)

Back 6

potent nonselective beta-adrenergic agonist
Cardiac output is increased because of the positive inotropic (force) and chronotropic (timing, rate) effects of the drug

Front 7

Prazosin (Minipress)

Back 7

Use: Hypertension
Action:Alpha-1 blocker; vasodilatation
Side Effects: Dizzy, low BP

Front 8

Propranolol (Inderal)

Back 8

Beta blocker
Use: Angina, heart irregularities, HTN (hypertension)
Action: Blocks B1, B2 receptors; lowers the pulse and BP.
Negative Effects: Bradycardia (slow pulse), fatigue, bronchial constriction
Nursing Implications: Assessment: VS, don’t give in Asthma, COPD, heart block
Planning: VS-WNL
Implementation: Monitor VS, SE. Teach patient: Do not stop drug abruptly. If diabetic, may need more insulin.

Front 9

atenolol (Tenormin)

Back 9

Use: HTN; after heart attack
Action: Beta-1 selective blocker, decrease heart rate
Side Effects: Low pulse, dizzy
Nursing Implications: Similar to Inderal except no respiratory effects. Do not stop abruptly

Front 10

Bethanechol chloride (Urecholine)

Back 10

Direct acting drug
Use: Treats urinary retention, abdominal distention
Action: Increases urination through cholinergic effect; contracts bladder
Side Effects: N&V, diarrhea, salivation, sweating, freq urination, low pulse

Front 11

Trihexylphenidyl (Artane)

Back 11

Use: decreases involuntary movements in Parkinson’s Disease
Action: Blocks cholinergic muscarinic receptors
Contraindicated: narrow-angle glaucoma, GI obstruction
S.E.: N & V, dry mouth, constipation

Front 12

Atropine sulfate (Atropine)

Back 12

Use: decrease salivary secretions, >heart rate, dilates pupils
Action: Decreases acetylcholine
Negative Effects: Dry mouth, decreased perspiration, blurred vision, tachycardia, constipation, urinary retention.

Front 13

Tolterodine (Detrol)

Back 13

Use: Treats bladder overactivity
Action: anticholinergic, muscarinic receptor blocker
SE: Nausea/vomiting, dry mouth, constipation, blurred vision, urinary retention