Drug Name

Generic Name:
Ciprofloxacin

Classification
Fluoroquinolone
Antibiotic

Brand Name:
Cipro I.V., Cipro
XR

Mechanism of
Action
Kills
susceptible
bacteria.
Unknown.
Bactericidal
effects may
result from
inhibition of
bacterial
DNA gyrase
and
prevention of
replication in
susceptible
bacteria.

Contraindication
Contraindicated
in patients
hypersensitive
to
fluoroquinolone
s.
Use cautiously
in patients with
CNS
disorder,such as
severe cerebral
arteriosclerosis
or seizure
disorders, and
in those at
increased risk
for seizure.
May cause CNS
stimulation.
Immunocompro
mised patients
may receive the
usual dose and
regimen for
anthrax.

Adverse Effect
CNS: Confusion,
hallucinations,
headache, lightheadedeness,
paresthesia,
restlessness,
seizures, tremor.
CV:
thrombophlebitis
GI: abdominal pain
r discomfort,
diarrhea, nausea,
oral candidiasis,
vomiting
GU: crystalluria,
interstitial nephritis
Hematologic:
eosinophilia,
leucopenia,
neutropenia,
thrombocytopenia.
Musculoskeletal:
achiness, arthralgia,
jint inflammation,
jint or back pain, jint
stiffness, neck or
chest pain.

Nursing
Consideration
Assess patients
infection before
therapy and
regularly
throughout.
Before giving
the first dose,
obtain specimen
for culture and
sensitivity test.
Begin therapy
pending results.
If adverse GI
reactions occur,
monitor
patients
hydration.
Tell patient to
take drug 2
hours after meal
and to take
prescribed
antacids at least
2 hours after
taking drugs.
Advise patients
to drink plenty

Skin:
photosensitivity,
rash, StevenJohnson syndrome.

of fluids to
reduce risk of
crystalluria.
Warn patient to
avoid hazardous
tasks that
require
alertness, such
as driving, until
CNS effects of
drug are known.
Advise patient
to avoid
caffeine while
taking drug
because of
potential for
cumulative
caffeine effect.

Drug Name

Classification

Generic Name:
Acetaminophen
(Paracetamol)

-Paraaminophenol
derivative

Brand Name:
Tempra, Acephen,
Anacin, Genapap

-Nonopioid
analgesic, antipyretic

Mechanism of
Action
May produce
analgesic
effect by
blocking pain
impulses, by
inhibiting
prostaglandin
or pain
receptor
sensitizer.
May relieve
fever by
acting in
hypothalamic
heatregulating
center.
Relieves pain
and reduces
fever.

Contraindication
Contraindicated
in patients
hypersensitive to
drug.
Use cautiously in
patients with
history of
chronic alcohol
abuse because
hepatotoxicity
may occur after
therapeutic
doses.

Adverse Effect
Hematologic:
hemolytic anemia,
leucopenia,
pancytopenia,
thrombocytopenia.
Hepatic: liver
damage (with toxic
doses), jaundice.
Metabolic:
hypoglycemia
Skin: rash,
urticaria

Nursing
Consideration
Assess
patients pain
or temperature
before and
during therapy.
Assess
patients drug
history. May
OTC products
and
combination
prescription
pain products
contain
acetaminophen
. Calculate
total daily
dose.
Warn patient
that high doses
or
unsupervised

long-term use
can cause liver
damage.
Excessive
alcohol use
may increase
risk of
hepatotoxicity.
Tell patient to
keep track of
daily
acetaminophen
intake,
including OTC
and
prescription
medications.
Warn patient
no to exceed
total
recommended
dose of
acetaminophen
per day
because of risk
of
hepatotoxicity.