DRUG NAME MECHANISM OF ACTION
CONTRAINDICATION
Generic: finasteride Inhibits the enzyme 5-alpha-
reductase, which is responsible
Brand: Proscar for converting testosterone
potent metabolite 5-alpha-
Classification dihydrotestosterone in prostate,
Therapeutic: hair growth liver, and skin; 5-alpha-
stimulants dihydrotestosterone is partially
Pharmacologic: androgen responsible for prostatic
inhibitors hyperplasia and hair loss.
Dosage: 5mg Therapeutic Effects: Reduced
prostate size with associated
Route: Oral decrease in urinary symptoms.
Decreases hair loss; promotes
hair regrowth.
Source: Vallerand, A., et al.
(n.d.). DAVIS’S DRUG GUIDE
for NURSES 14th Edition
INDICATION / ADVERSE EFFECTS
RESPONSIBILITIES
Indication:
 Benign prostatic
hyperplasia (BPH)
 Can be used with
doxazosin
 Androgenetic alopecia
(male pattern baldness)
in man only
Contraindication:
 Hypersensitivity
 Women
Drug-Drug:
None noted
NURSING
Endo: Assessment:
 Gynecomastia  Assess for symptoms of
prostatic hyperplasia
GU: (urinary hesitancy,
 Prostate cancer (high feeling of incomplete
grade) bladder of urinary
 ↓ libido stream, terminal urinary
 ↓ volume of ejaculate dribbling, straining to
 Erectile dysfunction start flow, dysuria,
 Infertility urgency) before and
periodically during
Misc: therapy.
Breast Cancer
Patient/Family Teaching:
 Inform patient that the
volume of ejaculate may
be decreased and erectile
dysfunction and
decreased libido may
occur during therapy and
after therapy is
completed.
 Inform patient that there
is an increased risk of
high grade prostate
cancer in men taking this
drug.
 Emphasize the
importance of periodic
follow-up exams to
determine whether a
clinical response
 occurred.

Generic: metoprolol Blocks stimulation of beta 1 Indication: CNS: Assessment:

(myocardial)-adrenergic  Hypertension
Brand: Lopresor receptors. Does not usually affect  Angina pectoris
beta2 (pulmonary, vascular,  Prevention of MI and
Classification uterine)-adrenergic receptor decreased mortality in
Therapeutic: antianginals, sites. patients with recent MI
antihypertensives
Pharmacologic: beta blockers Therapeutic Effects: Decreased Contraindication:
BP and heart rate. Decreased  Uncompensated HF
Dosage: 50mg frequency of attacks if angina  Pulmonary edema
pectoris. Decreased rate of  Cardiogenic shock
Route: Oral cardiovascular mortality and  Bradycardia
hospitalization in patients with  Heart block
heart failure.  Sick sinus syndrome (in
absence of pacemaker)
Source: Vallerand, A., et al.
(n.d.). DAVIS’S DRUG GUIDE Drug-Drug:
for NURSES 14th Edition  General anesthesia, IV
phenytoin, and
verapamil may cause ↑
myocardial depression.
 ↑ risk of bradycardia
when used with digoxin,
verapamil, diltiazem, or
clonidine.
 ↑ hypotension may occur
with other
antihypertensives, acute
ingestion of alcohol, or
nitrates.
 Fatigue  Monitor BP and pulse
 Weakness frequently during dose
 Drowsiness adjustment and
 Insomnia periodically during
therapy.
EENT:
 Stuffy nose  Monitor intake and
output ratios.
Resp:
 Bronchospasm  Assess routinely for
 Wheezing signs and symptoms of
HF (dyspnea)
CV:
 Hypotension Patient/Family Teaching:
 Pulmonary edema  Instruct patient to take
medication as directed.
GI:
 Dry mouth  Diabetics should closely
 Heart burn monitor blood glucose,
especially if weakness or
GU: fatigue occurs.
 Erectile dysfunction
 ↓ libido  Teach patient and family
how to check pulse daily
and BP biweekly and to
report significant
changes to health care
professional.
 Advise patient to change
position slowly to
minimize orthostatic
hypotension.
Generic: furosemide
Brand: Lasix
Classification
Therapeutic: diuretics
Pharmacologic: loop diuretics
Dosage: 20mg
Route: Oral
Generic: spironolactone
Brand: Novospiroton
Classification
Therapeutic: diuretics,
Inhibits the reabsorption of Indication: CNS: Assessment:
sodium and chloride from the  Edema due to heart  Dizziness  Assess fluid status.
loop of Henle and distal renal failure, hepatic  Headache
tubule. Increases renal excretion impairment ore renal  Vertigo  Monitor intake and
of water, sodium, chloride, disease output ratios and skin
magnesium, potassium, and  Hypertension EENT: turgor.
calcium. Effectiveness persists in  Hearing loss
impaired renal function. Contraindication:  Tinnitus  Monitor BP and pulse
 Hypersensitivity before and during
Therapeutic Effects: Diuresis  Allergy to Sulfonamide CV: administration.
and subsequent mobilization of Medications.  Hypotension
excess fluid (edema, pleural  Anuria  Assess allergy to
effusions). Decreased BP.  Severe Electrolyte GI: sulfonamides.
Imbalances  Dry mouth
Source: Vallerand, A., et al.  Hypovolemia  Nausea Patient/Family Teaching:
(n.d.). DAVIS’S DRUG GUIDE  Hepatic Coma  Diarrhea or constipation  Instruct patient to take
for NURSES 14th Edition furosemide as directed.
F and E:
 Dehydration  Caution patient to
 Hypovolemia change position slowly
 Hyponatremia to minimize orthostatic
hypotension.
MS:
 Muscle cramps  Caution patient to use
sunscreen and protective
Misc: clothing to prevent
 Fever photosensitivity
reactions.
Causes loss of sodium Indication: CNS: Assessment:
bicarbonate and calcium while  Management of primary  Dizziness  Assess dizziness that
saving potassium and hydrogen hyperaldosteronism.  Clumsiness might affect gait,
ions by antagonizing  Management of edema  Headache balance and other
aldosterone. associated with functional activities.
congestive heart failure, CV:
potassium-sparing diuretics Therapeutic Effects: Weak
Pharmacologic: aldosterone diuretic and antihypertensive
antagonists responses when compared with
other diuretics. Conservation of
Dosage: 25mg potassium.
Route: Oral Source: Spironolactone. Ciccone
C.D.(Ed.), [publicationyear2]
Davis’s Drug Guide for
Rehabilitation Professionals. F.
A. Davis Company.
cirrhosis, and nephrotic  Arrhythmias  Assess heart rate.
syndrome.
 Management of GI:  Assess BP periodically
essential hypertension.  GI irritation and compare to normal
Treatment of values to help document
hypokalemia GU: antihypertensive effects
(counteracts potassium  erectile dysfunction
loss caused by other  dysuria  Monitor allergic
diuretics). reactions.
Endo:
Contraindication:  gynecomastia (in males) Patient/Family Teaching:
 Hypersensitivity  breast tenderness  Counsel patients about
 Women  deepening of voice additional interventions
 increased hair growth (in to help blood control.
Drug-Drug: females)
None noted MS:  Remind patient to take
 muscle cramps. medication as directed.
Misc:
 allergic reactions.