depression
Medications
Instructed patient about medication Metoprolol is used to treat high blood pressure. It also is used to prevent angina (chest pain) and to improve survival after a heart attack. If your doctor prescribes a low-salt or low-sodium diet, follow these directions carefully. Metoprolol may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away: dizziness or lightheartedness, tiredness, depression, nausea and dry mouth.
SN instructed patient and caregiver about Clonidine, it is used alone or with other medications to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). Lowering high blood pressure helps prevent strokes, heart attacks, and kidney problems. It works by relaxing blood vessels so blood can flow more easily. Possible SE/AR may include: dizziness, lightheadedness, drowsiness, dry mouth, or constipation may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly. To reduce the risk of dizziness and lightheadedness, get up slowly when rising from a sitting or lying position. To relieve dry mouth, suck on (sugarless) hard candy or ice chips, chew (sugarless) gum, drink water, or use a saliva substitute. Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including: fainting, slow/irregular heartbeat, mental/mood changes like, irritability, depression.
SN instructed patient about Gabapentin ( Neurontin ). It is a medication used to treat epilepsy, neuropathic pain and hot flashes. It is also used for restless leg syndrome. It is a first line agent for the treatment of neuropathic pain arising from diabetic neuropathy, post-herpetic neuralgia, and central neuropathic pain. Most common side effects of gabapentin in adult patients include dizziness, fatigue, drowsiness, weight gain, and peripheral edema. It may also produce sexual dysfunction in some patients, symptoms of which may include loss of libido, inability to reach sexual climax, and erectile dysfunction. It should be used carefully in patients with renal impairment due to possible accumulation and toxicity. Warning of an increased risk of depression and suicidal thoughts and behaviors in patients taking gabapentin. Report to Physician or nurse if any of those side effect / adverse reaction occurs.
SN instructed patient that Prednisone is a synthetic corticosteroid drug that is particularly effective as an immunosuppressant drug. It is used to treat certain inflammatory diseases and for many different indications including: asthma, COPD, CIDP, rheumatic disorders, allergic disorders, ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, adrenocortical insufficiency, hypercalcemia due to cancer, thyroiditis, laryngitis, severe tuberculosis, urticaria ( hives ), lipid pneumonitis. Possible side effect may include, Increased blood sugar for diabetics, Difficulty controlling emotion, Difficulty in maintaining train of thought, Weight gain, Immunosuppression, Facial swelling, Severe, Depression, mania, psychosis, or other psychiatric symptoms, Unusual fatigue or weakness, Mental confusion / indecisiveness, Memory and attention dysfunction (Steroid dementia syndrome), Blurred vision. Take prednisone as ordered.
SN instructed that the Lithium is used to treat the manic episodes of manic depression. Manic symptoms include hyperactivity, rushed speech, poor judgment, reduced need for sleep, aggression, and anger. It also helps to prevent or lessen the intensity of manic episodes. Drink extra fluids each day to keep from getting dehydrated while you are taking lithium. Tell your doctor if you have been sweating excessively, or if you are sick with fever, vomiting, or diarrhea for more than a few hours.
SN instructed patient / caregiver about the medication Isosorbide. SN explained that Isosorbide is a medication given to reduce the blood pressure and that it also reduces the heart rate. SN explained that the side effects of this medication includes fatigue, anxiety, weakness, dizziness, tachycardia, pulmonary edema, constipation and dry mouth. SN instructed patient / caregiver to notify physician ( MD ) if experiencing persistence of side effects or if experiencing blurred vision, difficulty breathing, wheezing, dizziness, light - headedness, confusion, depression or dry mouth.
SN instructed patient / caregiver regarding medication Metoprolol. Metoprolol is used for treating high blood pressure, heart pain, abnormal rhythms of the heart, and some neurologic conditions; it reduces the force of contraction of heart muscle and thereby lowers blood pressure. Side effects to report to physician ( MD ) when taking Metoprolol including diarrhea, constipation, fatigue, insomnia, nausea, depression, memory loss, fever, lightheadedness, slow heart rate, low blood pressure, cold extremities, sore throat, and shortness of breath or wheezing. If experiencing any of these side effects or when systolic BP is >160 or < 90 and / or diastolic BP is > 90 or < 60 notify physician ( MD )
SN educated patient on Bupropion. This medication is used to treat major depression. This medication works by helping to restore the balance of natural chemicals in the brain. Take this medication by mouth, usually once daily with or without food. If nausea occurs, you may take this drug with food. Do not crush, chew or break the tablets. Swallow tablets whole. Since this drug may cause sleeplessness at first, it is best not to take near bedtime. The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to therapy. Do not take more or less medication than prescribed. Taking more than the recommended dose of bupropion will increase your risk of having a seizure. side effects may include dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, stomach/abdominal pain, flushing, headache/migraine, loss of appetite, trouble sleeping, increased sweating, strange taste in mouth, weakness, drowsiness, or blurred vision may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor promptly. Patient voiced understanding.
SN instructed patient and caregiver that Diazepam can be habit-forming, so it's not typically used for long-term treatment or for people who've had problems with drug or alcohol abuse. This high risk benzodiazepine should never be taken more frequently or in higher doses than prescribed due to risk of overdose. S/s overdose include dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, lethargy and respiratory depression and even death in severe cases, especially when combined with EtOH or opiates. Patient and caregiver state they will only administer this medication as prescribed.
SN educated on medication Escitalopram. This medication is used to treat depression in adults and children and teenagers 12 years or older. Escitalopram is also used to treat generalized anxiety disorder (GAD; excessive worry and tension that disrupts daily life for 6 months or longer) in adults. It works by increasing the amount of serotonin, a natural substance in the brain that helps maintain mental balance. Escitalopram may cause side effects such as nausea, diarrhea, constipation, changes in sex drive or ability, drowsiness, increased sweating, dizziness, heartburn, stomach pain, excessive tiredness, dry mouth, decreased appetite, weight loss, flu-like symptoms, runny nose, sneezing. Tell your doctor if any of those symptoms are severe or do not go away.