Medication Action Side effects Nursing action

Lactulose (Duphalac) Increases the amount of water in Flatulence, abdominal distension - Monitor the bowel sounds, serum
the large intestinal either by electrolytes, serum ammonia levels
drawing fluid from the body into the - Ask patient to report any diarrhea,
bowel or by retaining the fluid. severe belching, abdominal
fullness

Cardiprin (Aspirin + Glycine) Inhibiting the COX activity by Vertigo, angioneurotic edema, - Assess for pain: type, location
reducing of prostaglandins in the asthma, nausea, vomiting, and pattern
thermoregulation center. It leads to dyspepsia - Monitor renal, LFTs and CBC
a decrease in body temperature - Determine patient’s bleeding
due to expansion of blood vessels tendencies
of the skin and increase
perspiration.

Reducing aggregation, platelet

Panadol (Paracetamol) Antipyretic: Decreases fever by Drowsiness, hepatotoxicity, renal - Assess allergic reaction
inhibiting the effects of pyrogens in failure, hepatic seizure - Assess temperature (any fever?)
the hypothalamus heat regulating - Assess type, location, and
centers and by a hypothalamic intensity of pain
action leading to sweating and - Monitor CBC, liver and renal
vasodilation. functions (Increased serum
Non-opioid analgesic: bilirubin, LDH, AST, ALT, and
inhibits the synthesis of prothrombin time may indicate
prostaglandins that may serve as hepatotoxicity)
mediators of pain

Tramadol (Ultram) Binds to opioid receptor dizziness, headache, constipation, - Assess type, location, and
→ inhibits reuptake of serotonin nausea, abdominal pain, anorexia, intensity of pain before and after
and norepinephrine in the CNS diarrhea, dry mouth, flatulence, administration
→ decrease moderate to vomiting. - Assess BP and respiratory rate
moderately severe pain before and periodically during
administration (any respiratory
 depression?)

Maxolon (Metoclopramide) Block dopamine receptor in drowsiness, extrapyramidal - Assess for nausea, vomiting,
chemoreceptor trigger zone of the reactions (eg. bradykinesia, tremor, abdominal distention, and bowel
CNS parkinsonism), restlessness sounds before and after
→ Stimulates motility of the upper administration
GI tract and accelerates gastric - Assess for extrapyramidal side
emptying. effects
→ Decrease nausea and vomiting - Monitor for neuroleptic malignant
(Antiemetic) syndrome (hyperthermia, muscle
rigidity, altered consciousness,
irregular pulse or BP, tachycardia,
and diaphoresis).

Lasix (furosemide) Loop diuretics: Reduce extra fluid Dizziness, headache, blurred - Check BP
in the body (edema) cause by vision, may cause dehydration and - Check drug allergy
heart failure, liver and kidney loss of minerals, hypotension, - Check whether patient have
disease hypokalemia diabetes as it would affect blood
glucose level
→ Treat HBP by lowering HBP and - Check K+ level
prevent stroke, heart attacks and
kidney problems

FeSO4 (ferrous sulphate) Replace iron stores in haemoglobin Tarry stool, nausea, constipation - Assess nutritional status and
in RBC, myoglobin and other heme bowel function for constipation or
enzymes diarrhea
→ treat iron deficiency anemia - Monitor hemoglobin, hematocrit
- Assess S/S of toxicity such as
nausea, vomiting, stomach pain,
diarrhea

Pentoloc (Pentoprazole) Proton pump inhibitor: prevent Headache, dizziness, GI - Assess patient for epigastric pain
transport of hydrogen ion into disturbance or abdominal pain
gastric lumen - Assess for occult blood in stool,
→ decrease gastric acid secretion emesis or gastric aspirate
and accumulation - may cause abnormal result in
→ anti-ulcer (duodenal ulcers and liver function test
esophagitis)
Lipitor (Atorvastatin calcium) HMG CoA reductase inhibitor: abdominal cramps, constipation, - Advise patient that med should in
decrease synthesis of cholesterol diarrhea, flatus, heartburn conjunction with diet restriction,
→ lower LDL cholesterol and exercise and cessation of smoking
triglycerides - Assess diet history, esp. Fat
→ slightly increase HDL consumption
cholesterol - Evaluate serum cholesterol and
→ reduce risk of MI and stroke triglyceride levels

Warfarin Anticoagulant: reduces the Nausea and vomiting, GI upset, - Check drug allergy
formation of blood clots. loss of appetite, GI bleeding, - Check blood disorder such as
anemia or hemophilia
→ Treat or prevent blood clots in - Check whether the patient has
veins or arteries, which can reduce high blood pressure
the risk of stroke, heart attack, or - Check blood vessel disorder such
other serious conditions.  as aneurysm
- Check whether the patient is
pregnant
- Monitor INR when having warfarin
treatment to avoid the risk of
hemorrhage (abnormally high)
- Remind the patient to have low
Vitamin K diet