diphenhydramine (Benadryl) -ANSWER Classification: Antihistamine
Action:Antagonizes the effects of histamine at H1 receptor sites. CNS
depressant and anticholinergic properties. Relief of acute dystonic
reactions.
Used to Treat: Allergic symptoms, hypersensitivity reactions including
anaphylaxis and transfusion reactions; motion sickness; sleep aid;
antitussive and anti-parkinsonism effects
Side Effects: Drowsiness, dizziness, anorexia, dry mouth, blurred vision,
urinary frequency
Nursing Considerations: Assessment: Sedation, treatment and
prevention of anaphylaxis, extrapyramidal reactions, insomnia
Teach: Take as directed, may cause drowsiness, dry mouth, sleep
techniques, avoid alcohol,
promethazine (Phenergan) -ANSWER Classification: Antihistamine
Action: Blocks the effects of histamine, inhibitory effect on the
chemoreceptor trigger zone in medulla = antiemetic. Alters dopamine
CNS. CNS depression.
Used to Treat: Antiemetic, hypersensitivity reactions, motion sickness,
sedation
Side Effects: Confusion, disorientation, sedation, dizziness,
hypertension, hypotension, bradycardia, tachycardia, constipation, dry
mouth, blurred vision, fatigue
Nursing Considerations: Assessment: BP, HR, RR frequently, sedation,
extarpyramidal side effects (restlessness, muscle spasms, rigidity,
tremors, drooling), N/V.
Teach: Dose schedule, drowsiness, good oral hygiene, orthostatic
hypotension, avoid alcohol.
ceterizine (Zyrtec) -ANSWER Classification: Antihistamine
Action:Antagonizes the effects of histamine 1 (H1) receptors, drying
effect on the nasal mucosa. Decreased sneezing, rhinorrhea, itchy eyes,
nose, and throat associated with seasonal allergies.
Used to Treat:Seasonal or perennial rhinitis, chronic urticaria
Side Effects:Sedation, dry mouth, pharyngitis, somnolence, dizziness
,Nursing Considerations: Assess allergy symptoms before therapy, lung
sounds and character of bronchial secretions. Maintain fluid intake 1500-
2000mL/day
Teach to take as directed, avoid alcohol, may cause drowsiness, advise
good oral hygiene
fexofenadine (Allegra) -ANSWER Classification: Antihistamine
Action:Antagonizes the effects of histamine 1 (H1) receptors, drying
effect on the nasal mucosa. Decreased sneezing, rhinorrhea, itchy eyes,
nose, and throat associated with seasonal allergies.
Used to Treat:Seasonal rhinitis, urticaria
Side Effects:Dyspepsia, drowsiness, fatigue, dysmenorrheal.
Nursing Considerations: Assessment: S/S allergies, lung sounds,
Teach: take as directed, drowsiness
desloratidine (Clarinex) -ANSWER Classification: Antihistamine
Action:Blocks peripheral effects of histamine released during allergic
reactions. Decreased sneezing, rhinorrhea, itchy eyes, nose, and throat
associated with seasonal allergies.
Used to Treat:Seasonal or perennial allergic rhinitis
Side Effects:Headache, fatigue, drowsiness, dry mouth, nose and throat,
flulike symptoms
Nursing Considerations: Assess allergy symptoms before therapy, lung
sounds and character of bronchial secretions. Maintain fluid intake 1500-
2000mL/day
Teach to take as directed, avoid alcohol, may rarely cause drowsiness,
advise good oral hygiene
phenylephrine HCL (Neo-Synephrine) -ANSWER Classification:
Decongestants
Action:Constricts blood vessels by stimulating alpha-adrenergic
receptors
Used to Treat:Nasal Congestion
Side Effects:Nasal burning , stinging, dryness, rebound nasal congestion
Nursing Considerations: Monitor ECG continuously for arrhythmias
during IV administration
Instruct patient to report headache, dizziness, dyspnea, or pain at IV
infusion site promptly
, pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) -ANSWER Classification: Decongestants
Action:Stimulates alpha-and beta-adrenergic receptors
Produces vasoconstriction in the respiratory tract mucosa and possible
bronchodilation
Used to Treat:Nasal Congestion
Side Effects:Anxiety, restlessness, anorexia, arrhythmias, nervousness,
nausea, vomiting, blurred vision
Nursing Considerations: Assess congestion before therapy. Monitor
pulse and BP before beginning therapy and periodically during therapy.
Assess allergy symptoms before therapy, lung sounds and character of
bronchial secretions. Maintain fluid intake 1500-2000mL/day
Teach patient to notify health care professional if nervousness, slow or
fast heart rate, breathing difficulties, hallucinations, or seizures occur or
if symptoms don't improve within 7 days
albuterol (Proventil) -ANSWER Classification: Bronchodilator
(sympathomimetics)
Action:Binds with beta-2 receptors in airway smooth muscles - relaxes
airway smooth muscles -→ Bronchodilation
Used to Treat:Bronchospasm, prevention of EIB
Side Effects:Increased pulse and B/P, nervousness, restlessness,
tremor, headache, insomnia, chest pain, palpitations, n & v
Nursing Considerations: Assess: lung sounds, Resp rate for relief, avoid
caffeine & smoking
Admin: Allow 1 min. between puffs (rule for all inhalers)
Use 1st if using other inhalers & allow 5 min before giving other inhalers
salmeterol (Serevent) -ANSWER Classification: Bronchodilator
(sympathomimetics)
Action:Produces accumulation of cyclic adenosine monophosphate at
beta2-adrenergic receptors
Used to Treat:Long-term treatment and prevent bronchospasm
Side Effects:Headache, palpitations, tachycardia, muscle
cramps/soreness, tremor, cough
Nursing Considerations: Assessment: LS, pulse and BP before;
paradoxical bronchospasms and hypersensitivity
Action:Antagonizes the effects of histamine at H1 receptor sites. CNS
depressant and anticholinergic properties. Relief of acute dystonic
reactions.
Used to Treat: Allergic symptoms, hypersensitivity reactions including
anaphylaxis and transfusion reactions; motion sickness; sleep aid;
antitussive and anti-parkinsonism effects
Side Effects: Drowsiness, dizziness, anorexia, dry mouth, blurred vision,
urinary frequency
Nursing Considerations: Assessment: Sedation, treatment and
prevention of anaphylaxis, extrapyramidal reactions, insomnia
Teach: Take as directed, may cause drowsiness, dry mouth, sleep
techniques, avoid alcohol,
promethazine (Phenergan) -ANSWER Classification: Antihistamine
Action: Blocks the effects of histamine, inhibitory effect on the
chemoreceptor trigger zone in medulla = antiemetic. Alters dopamine
CNS. CNS depression.
Used to Treat: Antiemetic, hypersensitivity reactions, motion sickness,
sedation
Side Effects: Confusion, disorientation, sedation, dizziness,
hypertension, hypotension, bradycardia, tachycardia, constipation, dry
mouth, blurred vision, fatigue
Nursing Considerations: Assessment: BP, HR, RR frequently, sedation,
extarpyramidal side effects (restlessness, muscle spasms, rigidity,
tremors, drooling), N/V.
Teach: Dose schedule, drowsiness, good oral hygiene, orthostatic
hypotension, avoid alcohol.
ceterizine (Zyrtec) -ANSWER Classification: Antihistamine
Action:Antagonizes the effects of histamine 1 (H1) receptors, drying
effect on the nasal mucosa. Decreased sneezing, rhinorrhea, itchy eyes,
nose, and throat associated with seasonal allergies.
Used to Treat:Seasonal or perennial rhinitis, chronic urticaria
Side Effects:Sedation, dry mouth, pharyngitis, somnolence, dizziness
,Nursing Considerations: Assess allergy symptoms before therapy, lung
sounds and character of bronchial secretions. Maintain fluid intake 1500-
2000mL/day
Teach to take as directed, avoid alcohol, may cause drowsiness, advise
good oral hygiene
fexofenadine (Allegra) -ANSWER Classification: Antihistamine
Action:Antagonizes the effects of histamine 1 (H1) receptors, drying
effect on the nasal mucosa. Decreased sneezing, rhinorrhea, itchy eyes,
nose, and throat associated with seasonal allergies.
Used to Treat:Seasonal rhinitis, urticaria
Side Effects:Dyspepsia, drowsiness, fatigue, dysmenorrheal.
Nursing Considerations: Assessment: S/S allergies, lung sounds,
Teach: take as directed, drowsiness
desloratidine (Clarinex) -ANSWER Classification: Antihistamine
Action:Blocks peripheral effects of histamine released during allergic
reactions. Decreased sneezing, rhinorrhea, itchy eyes, nose, and throat
associated with seasonal allergies.
Used to Treat:Seasonal or perennial allergic rhinitis
Side Effects:Headache, fatigue, drowsiness, dry mouth, nose and throat,
flulike symptoms
Nursing Considerations: Assess allergy symptoms before therapy, lung
sounds and character of bronchial secretions. Maintain fluid intake 1500-
2000mL/day
Teach to take as directed, avoid alcohol, may rarely cause drowsiness,
advise good oral hygiene
phenylephrine HCL (Neo-Synephrine) -ANSWER Classification:
Decongestants
Action:Constricts blood vessels by stimulating alpha-adrenergic
receptors
Used to Treat:Nasal Congestion
Side Effects:Nasal burning , stinging, dryness, rebound nasal congestion
Nursing Considerations: Monitor ECG continuously for arrhythmias
during IV administration
Instruct patient to report headache, dizziness, dyspnea, or pain at IV
infusion site promptly
, pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) -ANSWER Classification: Decongestants
Action:Stimulates alpha-and beta-adrenergic receptors
Produces vasoconstriction in the respiratory tract mucosa and possible
bronchodilation
Used to Treat:Nasal Congestion
Side Effects:Anxiety, restlessness, anorexia, arrhythmias, nervousness,
nausea, vomiting, blurred vision
Nursing Considerations: Assess congestion before therapy. Monitor
pulse and BP before beginning therapy and periodically during therapy.
Assess allergy symptoms before therapy, lung sounds and character of
bronchial secretions. Maintain fluid intake 1500-2000mL/day
Teach patient to notify health care professional if nervousness, slow or
fast heart rate, breathing difficulties, hallucinations, or seizures occur or
if symptoms don't improve within 7 days
albuterol (Proventil) -ANSWER Classification: Bronchodilator
(sympathomimetics)
Action:Binds with beta-2 receptors in airway smooth muscles - relaxes
airway smooth muscles -→ Bronchodilation
Used to Treat:Bronchospasm, prevention of EIB
Side Effects:Increased pulse and B/P, nervousness, restlessness,
tremor, headache, insomnia, chest pain, palpitations, n & v
Nursing Considerations: Assess: lung sounds, Resp rate for relief, avoid
caffeine & smoking
Admin: Allow 1 min. between puffs (rule for all inhalers)
Use 1st if using other inhalers & allow 5 min before giving other inhalers
salmeterol (Serevent) -ANSWER Classification: Bronchodilator
(sympathomimetics)
Action:Produces accumulation of cyclic adenosine monophosphate at
beta2-adrenergic receptors
Used to Treat:Long-term treatment and prevent bronchospasm
Side Effects:Headache, palpitations, tachycardia, muscle
cramps/soreness, tremor, cough
Nursing Considerations: Assessment: LS, pulse and BP before;
paradoxical bronchospasms and hypersensitivity
