succinylcholine

(Anectine)

Classification: Skeletal Muscle Relaxant, anesthetic 

Indications: an adjunct to general anesthesia, to facilitate tracheal intubation, and to provide skeletal muscle relaxation during surgery.

Action: Relaxing muscles during surgery or when using a breathing machine (ventilator). It is also used to induce anesthesia or when a tube must be inserted in the windpipe.

Major Side Effects: respiratory depression, anaphylaxis, arrhythmias, bradycardia, tachycardia,

 hypertension, hypotension, hyperkalemia.

Routes: Injection

baclofen

(Kemostro, Lioresal)

Classification: Antispasticity agent, skeletal muscle relaxant

Indications: Treatment of reversible spasticity due to multiple sclerosis or spinal cord leasions.

Action: inhibits reflexes at the spinal level, decreases muscle spasticity

Major Side Effects: seizures, dizziness, drowsiness, depression

Routes: PO, IT

cyclobenzaprine

(Amrix, Flexeril)

Classification: Skeletal muscle relaxant

Indications: management of acute painful musculoskeletal conditions associated with muscle spasms

Action: Reduction in muscle spams and hyperactivity w/o loss of function.

Major Side Effects: dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, dry mouth, arrythmias

Routes: PO

dantrolene

(Dantrium)

Classification: Skeletal muscle relaxant

Indications: Treatment of spasticity associated w/ spinal cord injury, stroke, cerebral palsy, MS, malignant hyperthermia

Action: reduction of muscle spasticity and prevention of malignant hyperthermia

Major Side Effects: Hepatotoxicity, muscle weakness, diarrhea, drowsiness

Routes: PO, IV

phentermine

(Adipex-P)

Classification: weight control agent, appetite supressant

Indications: Short-term treatment of obesity in conjunction with other interventions

Action: 

Major Side Effects: CNS stimulation, hypertension, palpitations, tachycardia

Routes: PO

sodium polystyrene sulfonate

(Kayexalate)

Classification: hypokalemics, electrolyte modifier

Indications: treatment of milder to moderate hyperkalemia

Action: REduction of serium potassium levels

Major Side Effects: constipation, fecal impaction, NVD

Routes: PO, Rectal

epoetin alfa

(Epogen, Procrit)

Classification: Antianemic

Indications: Anemia associated with chronic renal failure

Action: Stimulates erythropoiesis

Major Side Effects: Seizures, hypertension, headache

Routes: IV, SQ

dextromethorphan

(Robitussin, Vicks 44, Delsym)

Classification: allergy, cold, and cough remedias, antitussives

Indications: Symptomatic relief of cough caused by minor viral upper respiratory tract infections or inhaled irritants

Action: relief of irritating nonproductive cough

Major Side Effects: dizziness, sedation and nausea in high doses

Routes: PO, PO-ER

codeine

(Paveral)

Classification: allergy, cold, and cough remedias, antitussives, opioid analgesic

Indications: management of mild to moderate pain, antitussive (small doses)

Action: decreases severity of pain. supression of cough reflex

Major Side Effects: confusion, sedation, constipation, NV, respiratory depression, hypotension

Routes: PO, IM, SQ

alteplase

(Activase)

Classification: thrombolytic, plasminogen activator

Indications: acute MI, pulmonary emboli, acute ischemic stroke

Action: lysis of thrombi in coronary arteries, with preservation of ventricular function or improvement of ventricular function

Major Side Effects: intracranial hemorrhage, GI bleeding, bleeding, anaphylaxis, retroperitoneal bleeding, GU tract bleeding

Routes: IV

filgrastim

(Neupogen)

Classification: colony-stimulating factor

Indications: Prevention of febrile neutropenia and associated infection in patients who have received bone marrow

Action: decreases incidence of infection in patients who are neutropenic from chemotherapy or other causes

Major Side Effects: excessive leukocytosis, medullary bone pain, pain and redness at inj. site.

Routes: IV, SQ

pseudoephedrine

(Sudafed)

Classification: allergy, cold, and cough remidies, nasal drying agent/decongestant

Indications: symptomatic management of nasal congestion associated with acute viral respiratory tract infections

Action: reduction of nasal congestion, hyperemia, and swelling in nasal passages

Major Side Effects: seizures, anxiety, nervousness, cardiovascular collapse, palpitations, anorexia

Routes: PO, PO-ER