Ch 8 Drug Cards Flashcards
(26 cards)
Levothyroxine
Drug Class: Thyroid Replacement
MOA: Synthetic T4; converts to T3.
Contraindications: MI, hyperthyroidism, adrenal insufficiency
Adverse Effects: Tachycardia, insomnia, weight loss
Nursing Considerations: Take in AM on empty stomach, monitor HR
Liothyronine
Drug Class: Thyroid Replacement
MOA: Synthetic T3; rapid onset
Contraindications: Same as levothyroxine
Adverse Effects: More potent effects than T4
Nursing Considerations: Used in myxedema coma, monitor cardiac signs
Liotrix
Drug Class: Thyroid Replacement
MOA: Combo T3 & T4
Contraindications: Same as levothyroxine
Adverse Effects: Same as levothyroxine
Nursing Considerations: Provides hormonal balance
Desiccated Thyroid
Drug Class: Thyroid Replacement
MOA: Animal-derived T3 & T4
Contraindications: Same as levothyroxine
Adverse Effects: Unpredictable potency
Nursing Considerations: Not preferred due to variability
Methimazole
Drug Class: Antithyroid
MOA: Inhibits iodine binding → ↓ T3/T4
Contraindications: Pregnancy (1st trimester), liver disease
Adverse Effects: Agranulocytosis, hepatotoxicity
Nursing Considerations: Avoid iodine, take with food, monitor WBC
Propylthiouracil (PTU)
MOA
Contraindications
Drug Class: Antithyroid
MOA: Inhibits T3/T4 synthesis + T4→T3
Contraindications: Liver disease, pregnancy caution
Adverse Effects: Hepatotoxicity, agranulocytosis
Nursing Considerations: Preferred in 1st trimester, monitor liver
Prednisone
Drug Class
Contraindications
AE
Nursing Considerations
Drug Class: Glucocorticoid
MOA: Anti-inflammatory, immune suppression
Contraindications: Fungal infections, ulcers, diabetes
Adverse Effects: Hyperglycemia, Cushing’s, bone loss
Nursing Considerations: Take with food, taper slowly
Dexamethasone
Drug class
MOA
Adverse Effects
Nursing Considerations
Drug Class: Glucocorticoid
MOA: ↓ inflammation, cerebral edema
Contraindications: Same as prednisone
Adverse Effects: Immunosuppression, insomnia
Nursing Considerations: Used for brain swelling
Methylprednisolone
Drug Class
MOA
Contraindications
Adverse Effects
Nursing Considerations
Drug Class: Glucocorticoid
MOA: Injectable anti-inflammatory
Contraindications: Same as prednisone
Adverse Effects: CNS effects, fluid retention
Nursing Considerations: IV use, not for neonates
Hydrocortisone
Drug class
MOA
Contraindications
Adverse Effects
Nursing Considerations
Drug Class: Glucocorticoid
MOA: Topical or systemic cortisol
Contraindications: Same as prednisone
Adverse Effects: Same as prednisone
Nursing Considerations: Used for skin issues, asthma
Betamethasone
Drug Class: Glucocorticoid
MOA: Long-acting steroid
Contraindications: Same as prednisone
Adverse Effects: Hyperglycemia, infection risk
Nursing Considerations: Used in premature labor (lung dev)
Triamcinolone
MOA
Drug class
Contraindications
Adverse Effects
Nursing Considerations
Drug Class: Glucocorticoid
MOA: Intermediate-acting steroid
Contraindications: Same as prednisone
Adverse Effects: Same as others
Nursing Considerations: Used topically or for joints
Fludrocortisone
MOA
Drug class
Contraindications
Adverse Effects
Nursing Considerations
Drug Class: Mineralocorticoid
MOA: Mimics aldosterone
Contraindications: HTN, CHF
Adverse Effects: Fluid retention, hypokalemia
Nursing Considerations: Monitor BP, electrolytes
Ketoconazole
MOA
Drug class
Contraindications
Adverse Effects
Nursing Considerations
Drug Class: Anti-adrenal
MOA: Inhibits cortisol synthesis
Contraindications: Liver disease
Adverse Effects: Hepatotoxicity
Nursing Considerations: Used for Cushing’s, monitor LFTs
Metyrapone
MOA
Drug class
Contraindications
Adverse Effects
Nursing Considerations
Drug Class: Anti-adrenal
MOA: Blocks cortisol (used diagnostically)
Contraindications: Liver disease
Adverse Effects: Hepatotoxicity
Nursing Considerations: Monitor liver, used in adrenal testing
Thyroid Replacement drugs:
What do they do/ Why impt?
They give your body the thyroid hormones it’s missing, like giving it energy fuel
If your thyroid is tired or not working (called hypothyroidism), you take these to help your body work right again
Thyroid Replacement drug examples
Levothyroxine
Liothyronine
Liotrix
Desiccated thyroid
Antithyroid Drugs: What do they do/why impt?
They help slow down your thyroid when it’s working too fast (called hyperthyroidism).
Why you need them:
If your body is too fast and shaky, you need these to calm it down.
Antithyroid drug examples
Methimazole
PTU (Propylthiouracil)
Glucocorticoids: What do they do and why are they important?
They are like super helpers that fight swelling and calm down your immune system when it’s overreacting.
Impt:
You take them when you’re really sick, have asthma, allergies, or pain from swelling.
Glucocorticoids
Prednisone
Dexamethasone
Hydrocortisone
Methylprednisolone
Betamethasone
Triamcinolone
🟩 Mineralocorticoids: What do they do?
Why do you take them?
Ex:
They help your body keep the right amount of salt and water.
Why you need them:
If your body can’t balance salt and blood pressure, you take these.
Ex: Fludrocortisone
🟥 Anti-Adrenal Agents: What do they do?
Why do you take them?
Ex:
They slow down the adrenal gland if it’s making too much cortisol (your stress hormone).
Why you need them:
If your body has too much stress hormone, you take these to bring it back to normal.
Examples:
Ketoconazole
Metyrapone
Adrenal glands
are a pair of small glands located on top of the kidneys that produce hormones that regulate many bodily functions.
These hormones include adrenaline, cortisol, and aldosterone.
Helps regulate:
BP,metabolism, sex development, stress response “fight or flight”
