Nursing

Name of Drug Classification Mechanism of Action Indication Contraindication Side Effects

Responsibilities
Generic Name: Pharmacologic Class: Pharmacodynamics General Indication: - Chronic CNS: Ataxia, Before Drug
Acetazolamide Carbonic anhydrase or Mechanism of  To treat chronic noncongestive confusion, depression, Administration
inhibitor, Sulfonamide Action: simple (open- closed-angle disorientation, - Store oral
Trade/Brand Name: derivative Inhibits the enzyme angle) glaucoma glaucoma dizziness, drowsiness, preparations at 15°–
Diamox carbonic anhydrase,  As short-term - cirrhosis fatigue, fever, flaccid 30° C (59°–86° F)
Therapeutic Class: which normally therapy to treat - hyperchloremic paralysis, headache, unless otherwise
Minimum dose: Anticonvulsant, appears in the eyes’ secondary acidosis lassitude, malaise, directed.
250 mg/day antiglaucoma, diuretic ciliary processes, glaucoma and - hypersensitivity to nervousness, - Check doctor’s order.
brain’s choroid plexus, preoperatively to acetazolamide paresthesia, seizures, - Establish baseline
Maximum dose: and kidneys’ proximal treat acute - hypokalemia tremor, weakness weight before initial
1000 mg/day divided tubule cells. In the congestive - hyponatremia therapy
q8-12hr eyes, enzyme (closed-angle) - severe pulmonary EENT: Altered taste,
inhibition decreases glaucoma obstruction tinnitus, transient During Drug
Patient’s Dose: aqueous humor  To induce - severe renal, myopia Administration
500 mg secretion, which diuresis in heart hepatic, or - Ensure right patient,
lowers intraocular failure adrenocortical GI: Anorexia, right drug, right dose,
Route: pressure. In the brain,  To treat drug- impairment constipation, diarrhea, right time, and right
PO inhibition may delay induced edema hepatic dysfunction, route.
abnormal, intermittent,  To treat seizures, melena, nausea, - Use aseptic
Frequency: and excessive including vomiting techniques when
OD discharge from generalized tonic- administering the
neurons that cause clonic, absence, GU: Crystalluria, medication.
Form: seizures. In the and mixed decreased libido, - Administer diuretic
Tablet kidneys, it increases seizures, and glycosuria, hematuria, dose in morning to
bicarbonate excretion, myoclonic jerk impotence, avoid interrupted
Availability: which carries out patterns nephrotoxicity, sleep.
Tablet; sustained water, potassium, and  To prevent or phosphaturia, polyuria, - Give with food or
release capsule; sodium, thus inducing relieve symptoms renal calculi, renal meals to minimize GI
powder for injection diuresis and metabolic of acute mountain colic, urinary upset.
acidosis. This acidosis sickness frequency - Inform patient that
Content: counteracts respiratory acetazolamide tablets
The active substance is alkalosis and reduces Patient’s Indication: HEME: may be crushed and
acetazolamide. Each symptoms of mountain To relieve the inner ear Agranulocytosis, suspended in chocolate
tablet contains 250mg sickness, including fluid build-up thereby hemolytic anemia, or sweet syrup. Or, one
acetazolamide. The headache, dizziness, reducing vertigo leukopenia, tablet may be
other ingredients are nausea, and dyspnea. frequency and avoiding pancytopenia, dissolved in 10 mL hot
dicalcium phosphate, hearing loss progression thrombocytopenia, water and added to 10
corn starch, Pharmacokinetics: of the patient thrombocytopenic ml honey or syrup.
magnesium stearate, Absorption: Well purpura - Maintain adequate
sodium starch absorbed from GI tract. fluid intake (1.5–2.5
glycolate, povidone. SKIN: L/24 h; 1 liter is
Onset: 1-1.5 hr Photosensitivity, approximately equal to
pruritus, rash, Stevens- 1 quart) to reduce risk
Peak: 2-4 hrs Johnson syndrome, of kidney stones.
urticaria - Monitor blood tests
Duration: 8-12 hrs during acetazolamide
Other: Acidosis, therapy to detect
Distribution: hyperuricemia, electrolyte imbalances.
Distributed throughout hypokalemia, weight
body; crosses placenta. loss After Drug
Administration
Elimination: In urine. - Advise patient to eat
potassium-rich diet
Half-Life: 2.4–5.8 h. when taking this drug
in high doses or for
prolonged periods.
- Advise patient to
avoid hazardous
activities if dizziness
or drowsiness occurs.
- Monitor fluid intake
and output every 8
hours and body weight
daily to detect
excessive fluid and
weight loss.
- Monitor for S&S of:
Mild to severe
metabolic acidosis;
potassium loss which
is greatest early in
therapy
- Document procedure