Pharmacology-unit 4 assignment

It is important for Medical Assistants to be able to read a drug reference source and determine relevant information. Please complete this Assignment and submit it to the Dropbox using a drug reference textbook or a reputable online reference site. PART 1 Please answer the following questions about some of the Top 50 Brand Drugs based on total number of prescriptions in 2007 as noted in http://www. rxlist. com/script/main/hp. asp. You can consult the following website for some of the information: Source: Medication guides: United States Food and Drug Administration.

Retrieved from http://www. fda. gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/ucm085729. htm These medications are from drug classes you have covered in Weeks 1 to 4. Each question is worth 2 points, for a total of 30 points. Nexium 1. Nexium is supplied in capsules that are delayed-release. What does this term refer to? DR (Delayed Release)- You can open the capsule to spread on top of food- applesauce for consumption. (drugs. com) SR (Suspended Release)- you can take a 2. 5 mg packet and mix with water to dissolve and thicken up after 2-3 minutes and then drink for consumption. (drugs. com)

2. What strengths of Nexium are available DR oral caps> 20 mg and 40 mg DR oral suspension> 10 mg and 20 mg and 40 mg (drugs. com) 3. What is the generic name? Emsomeprazole (drugs. com) 4. What are the clinical indications for Nexium? Infants> 1 Month old or less than 1 year old, 6 weeks short term to heal symptoms of GERD Adults> For short term treatment only, 4-8 weeks in the healing and symptomatic resolution of diagnostically confirmed erosive esophagitis for GERD. (drugs. com) 1 Prevacid 5. Prevacid comes in different dosage forms, one of which is a Solutab.

What does this term refer to? Who might benefit from using a Solutab? SoluTab= Dissolves in water or on the tongue in less than 1 minute. When on the tongue, swallow the remenints of the pill and then drink water.

These are mainly for people who suffer from ulcers and acid reflux and it heals acid damage. (drugs. com) 6. What is the generic name of Prevacid? Lansoprazole (drugs. com) 7. Compare the generic names of Prevacid and Nexium. Would you expect them to be in the same drug class? Why or why not? Both drugs are in the same class, called PPI’s.

Both drugs slows and treats acid reflux disease and ulcers. (Medicine. net) Levaquin 8. What is the generic name of this medication? Levofloxacin (FDA. gov) 9. Levaquin has a black box warning. What does this term refer to?

The FDA issued specific labeling that warns the consumer about the serious adverse reactions that can occur. (Drugs. com) 10. What is the specific black box warning for Levaquin? “Tendonitis and tendon rupture. More so for people over the age of 60 this occurs plus inflammation and swelling of course. (Drugs. com) 11. What is Levaquin used to treat?

Levaquin treats sinus infections and pneumonia or shingles and anthrax which occurs less often. (Drugs. com) Valtrex 12. What is the generic name of this medication? Valacyclovir Hydrocholride (Drugs. com) 2 13. What is Valtrex used for? Valtrex is use to suppress and/or treat cold sores (herpes). (Drugs. com) 14. In which drug class is Valtrex? Valtrex belongs to a drug class called nucleoside (antiviral) to stop the spread of herpes by preventing DNA replication. (Drugs. com) 15.

If a child between the ages of 2 and 17 was taking Valtrex, what would the most likely approved indication be? Children>for coldsores>2g 2 times a day for the 1st day and then 12 hrs apart after that. Children>for chicken pox>20-25mg/kg three times a day for 5 days. Adults>2g two times a day for 1 day, and then 12 hrs apart after that (medicinenet, 2013).

(Drugs. com) PART 2: DRUG MONOGRAPH Please complete the below table on a medication you have covered in Weeks 1 to 4. The monograph is worth 35 points. Some tips for completing the monograph: •Do not choose a medication that has more than one active ingredient.

•If a category does not apply (such as a medication is not available OTC) please respond “Not applicable” •For dosage forms simply indicate tablets, capsules, IM etc. The specific strengths are not needed. •Utilize a drug reference source you have discussed in class. •Cite your reference source in APA format.

Brand Name Tylenol & others Generic Name Acetaminophen/ OTC Name “aspirin free” –ibprophrofen- Arthritis Foundation Pregnancy Category Used in all stages of pregnancy and is the drug of choice to relieve pain, fever short term. Drug Class Analgesics.

Dosage Forms Children>10-15mg/kg every 6-8 hrs. and not to exceed 5 doses Adults>325mg-650mg every 4 hrs. OR 500mg every 8 hrs. Drug Indication For reducing swelling, fever, and pain from one ache or for other aches 3 associated with other conditions such as a pulled muscle Drug Action Reduces pain production of prostaglandins in the brain Contraindications Liver failure Main side effects 1. Yellow skin or eyes, hives, sore throat and stomach bleeding 2. Bloody urine, black stool bruising and fever Patient Education 1.

Overdose can cause stomach bleeding and liver failures, if so seek emergency care immediately. 2. Do not exceed prescribed dosage 3. Only taken for no more than 10 days at any time (Marks, J. , 2013). Reference source (s): Marks, J. (2013). Medicine Net. Acetaminophen, Tylenol and others.

Retrieved from www. medicinenet. com/acetaminophen/article. htm Drugs A-Z. (2013). Browse alphabetically.

Retrieved from http://www. drugs. com/drug_information. html U. S. Department of Health and Human Services. (n. d). (FDA). Drug Index Retrieved from http://www. fda. gov/drugs/drugsafety/ucm085729. htm http://www. accessdata. fda. gov/scripts/cder/drugsatfda/index. cfm.