emergency preparedness
Medications
When using Actonel get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Patient instructed on Nitroglycerin sublingual tablets usually give relief in 1 to 5 minutes. If the pain is not relieved, you may use a second tablet 5 minutes after you take the first tablet. If the pain continues for another 5 minutes, a third tablet may be used. If you still have chest pain after a total of 3 tablets, contact your doctor or go to a hospital emergency room right away. Do not drive yourself and call 911 if necessary.
Fludrocortisone is a corticosteroid. It works by causing the kidneys to retain sodium and acting as a replacement for cortisone when the body does not produce enough.Carry an ID card at all times that says you take fludrocortisone. Tell your doctor or dentist that you take fludrocortisone before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.Fludrocortisone may cause an increase in blood pressure, salt and water retention, and calcium and potassium loss. Talk with your doctor to see if you need to decrease the amount of salt in your diet or take a calcium or vitamin D supplement. Check with your doctor if any of these most common side effects persist or become bothersome:Difficulty sleeping; dizziness or lightheadedness; headache; increased appetite; increased sweating; indigestion; nervousness
SN advised patient don't rub the injection site. This could cause bruising. Don't push air bubbles out of the syringe unless your doctor tells you to. Each syringe comes with air bubbles. Call 911 anytime you think you may need emergency care. For example, call if: You cough up blood.You vomit blood or what looks like coffee grounds.You pass maroon or very bloody stools.
SN instructed patient / caregiver about Ipratropium Bromide/Albuterol(Duoneb); get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop using albuterol and ipratropium and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as: wheezing, choking, or other breathing problems,chest pain, pounding heartbeats or fluttering in your chest, dangerously high blood pressure (severe headache, anxiety, uneven heart beat), swelling of your ankles or feet, eye pain, or seeing halos around lights, painful or difficult urination. Other common side effects may include: mild headache, or cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, cough, or sore throat.
SN instructed patient / caregiver about Methylprednisolone ( Medrol ), it is a corticosteroid used to treat severe allergies, arthritis, asthma, and skin conditions. It may also be used to treat other conditions as determined by your doctor. Possible side effects, that may go away during treatment, include difficulty sleeping, mood changes, nervousness, increased appetite, or indigestion. If they continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor. Check with your doctor as soon as possible if you experience swelling of feet or legs unusual weight gain black, tarry stools vomiting material that looks like coffee grounds severe nausea or vomiting changes in menstrual periods headache muscle weakness or prolonged sore throat, cold or fever. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist. DO NOT stop taking this medicine without checking with your doctor. Stopping this medicine suddenly may cause serious side effects. Keep all doctor and laboratory appointments while you are using this medicine. Before you have any medical or dental treatments, emergency care, or surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are using this medicine. This medicine makes you more susceptible to illnesses, especially if you take it for an extended period of time. Prevent infection by avoiding contact with people who have colds or other infections. Report any injuries or signs of infection (fever, sore throat, pain during urination, or muscle aches) that occur during treatment and within 12 months after stopping this medicine.
SN instructed patient about Linzess (linaclotide) which is indicated in adults for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome with constipation. It can cause serious side effects, including diarrhea, the most common side effect, which can be severe. Diarrhea often begins within the first 2 weeks of treatment. Stop taking Linzess and call your doctor asap if you get severe diarrhea during treatment with Linzess. Other common side effect may include gas, stomach-area (abdominal) pain, swelling, or a feeling of fullness or pressure in your abdomen (distension). Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away. Call your doctor or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away if you develop unusual or severe stomach-area (abdominal) pain, especially if you also have bright red, bloody stools or black stools that look like tar.
SN instructed about Morphine. This is can slow or stop your breathing, especially when you start using this medicine or whenever you dose is changed. Never take morphine in larger amounts, or for longer than prescribed. Tell your doctor if the medicine seems to stop working as well in relieving your pain. Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to morphine: hives; difficult breathing, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have: slow heart rate, sighing, weak or shallow breathing, chest pain, fast or pounding heartbeats, extreme drowsiness, feeling like you might pass out. Morphine is more likely to cause breathing problems in older adults and people who are severely ill, malnourished, or otherwise debilitated. Common morphine side effects may include: drowsiness, dizziness; constipation, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, headache, tired feeling, anxiety or mild itching.
SN instructed patient that eliquis could cause bruising, internal bleeding, increased bleeding time so if any falls, severe cuts or unexplained pain or pain pressure call 911 anytime you think you may need emergency care. For example, call if: You cough up blood, you vomit blood or what looks like coffee grounds, you pass maroon or very bloody stools. Patient was able to be taught back.
SN instructed patient / caregiver regarding Metoprolol Tartrate, which is in a group of drugs called beta - blockers. That is affect the heart and circulation ( blood flow through arteries and veins ). Metoprolol is used to treat angina ( chest pain ) and hypertension ( high blood pressure ). It is also used to treat or prevent heart attack. Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects: chest pain, pounding heartbeats or fluttering in your chest, feeling light - headed, fainting; feeling short of breath, even with mild exertion, swelling of your hands or feet, nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay - colored stools, jaundice ( yellowing of the skin or eyes ), easy bruising, unusual bleeding ( nose, mouth, vagina, or rectum ), purple or red pinpoint spots under your skin, wheezing, trouble breathing. Less serious side effects may include: dry mouth, constipation, heartburn, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, drowsiness, tired feeling, sleep problems ( insomnia ), or anxiety, nervousness. Do not suddenly stop taking metoprolol tartrate. Sharp chest pain, irregular heartbeat, and sometimes heart attack may occur if you suddenly stop metoprolol tartrate. The risk may be greater if you have certain types of heart disease. Tell your doctor or dentist that you take metoprolol tartrate before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care or surgery.