| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Suffix | -pril |
| Examples | Enalapril (Vasotec) Lisinopril (Zestril) Ramipril (Altace) |
| Mechanism of Action | Inhibits conversion of Angiotensin I to Angiotensin II, preventing vasoconstriction and water/sodium retention, leading to decreased blood pressure |
| Uses/Indications | Hypertension Heart failure Myocardial infarction |
| Side Effects | Dry cough Angioedema Hyperkalemia Dizziness Hypotension |
| Contraindications/Precautions | Contraindicated in pregnancy (teratogenic). High risk of hyperkalemia. Avoid high‑potassium foods and salt substitutes. |
| Nursing Interventions | Monitor blood pressure and heart rate. Do not abruptly discontinue—can cause rebound hypertension. Report any swelling immediately. |
| Patient Education |
Avoid potassium‑rich foods (bananas, spinach, oranges, tomatoes, potatoes, fish). Notify provider if a persistent dry cough develops. |
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Suffix | -sartan |
| Examples | Losartan (Cozaar) Valsartan (Diovan) Olmesartan (Benicar) |
| Mechanism of Action | Inhibits Angiotensin II from binding to its receptors, preventing vasoconstriction and water/sodium retention |
| Uses/Indications | Hypertension Heart failure Myocardial infarction |
| Side Effects | Hyperkalemia Angioedema (less common) Dizziness Hypotension |
| Contraindications/Precautions | Contraindicated in pregnancy. Risk of hyperkalemia when used with potassium-sparing diuretics. |
| Nursing Interventions | Monitor BP and electrolytes. Avoid potassium-rich foods and salt substitutes. |
| Patient Education | May be used if ACE inhibitors are not tolerated due to cough. Continue monitoring for swelling or dizziness. |
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Suffix | None standardized |
| Examples | Spironolactone |
| Mechanism of Action | Blocks aldosterone, leading to excretion of sodium and water. Does NOT excrete potassium (aka “potassium‑sparing”) |
| Uses/Indications | Hypertension Heart failure Nephrotic syndrome Hyperaldosteronism Liver disease |
| Side Effects | Hyperkalemia Hyponatremia GI upset Amenorrhea Gynecomastia Erectile dysfunction |
| Contraindications/Precautions | Avoid potassium‑rich foods and salt substitutes. Monitor for muscle cramps, dysrhythmias, or peaked T waves. |
| Nursing Interventions | Monitor BP, daily weights, and serum potassium |
| Patient Education | Report signs of hyperkalemia. Take at the same time daily. |
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Suffix | -dipine (also -zem, -mil) |
| Examples | Amlodipine Nicardipine Verapamil Diltiazem |
| Mechanism of Action | Prevents calcium from entering cardiac and vascular smooth muscle cells, causing relaxation, decreased heart rate, and vasodilation |
| Uses/Indications | Hypertensive crisis Angina |
| Side Effects | Headache Flushing Orthostatic hypotension Constipation (Verapamil) Peripheral edema Gingival hyperplasia (-pine) |
| Contraindications/Precautions | Avoid grapefruit juice. Contraindicated in heart block. |
| Nursing Interventions | Check BP and HR before giving. Hold if HR <60 or SBP <100. Encourage high-fiber diet. |
| Patient Education | Rise slowly to avoid dizziness. Report significant swelling or bradycardia. |
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Suffix | -olol |
| Examples | Metoprolol, Atenolol, Esmolol (selective); Propranolol, Labetalol, Carvedilol (non-selective) |
| Mechanism of Action | Inhibits beta‑adrenergic receptors, reducing heart rate, myocardial contractility, and cardiac workload |
| Uses/Indications | Hypertension Stable angina Heart failure (chronic) Myocardial infarction Dysrhythmias Glaucoma (Timolol) |
| Side Effects | Bradycardia Hypotension Hypoglycemia Bronchospasm (non‑selective) Dizziness Weight gain Edema |
| Contraindications/Precautions | Contraindicated in asthma/COPD (non-selective). Diabetics must monitor for masked hypoglycemia. |
| Nursing Interventions | Monitor BP and HR. Do not abruptly stop—can cause rebound hypertension. |
| Patient Education | Change positions slowly. Monitor blood glucose levels if diabetic. |
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Suffix | -zosin |
| Examples | Doxazosin Prazosin Terazosin |
| Mechanism of Action | Inhibits alpha‑1 receptors in arteries and bladder/prostate, causing smooth muscle relaxation and vasodilation |
| Uses/Indications | Hypertension Benign prostatic hyperplasia |
| Side Effects | "First‑dose phenomenon" Reflex tachycardia Syncope Dizziness Fluid and sodium retention |
| Contraindications/Precautions | Use cautiously in patients prone to falls |
| Nursing Interventions | Monitor BP and HR (especially after first dose) |
| Patient Education | Change positions slowly. Do not abruptly stop taking. |
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Suffix | None |
| Examples | Clonidine |
| Mechanism of Action | Stimulates alpha‑2 receptors in CNS, causing vasodilation and reduced sympathetic outflow |
| Uses/Indications | Hypertension |
| Side Effects | Drowsiness Dry mouth Rebound hypertension if stopped abruptly |
| Contraindications/Precautions | Avoid abrupt withdrawal |
| Nursing Interventions | Monitor BP and HR |
| Patient Education | Take same time daily. Taper off under supervision. |
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Suffix | None standardized |
| Examples | Amiodarone |
| Mechanism of Action | Blocks potassium channels, prolonging repolarization and slowing conduction |
| Uses/Indications | Life‑threatening ventricular arrhythmias Cardiac arrest |
| Side Effects | Blue‑gray skin discoloration Pulmonary toxicity Liver dysfunction |
| Contraindications/Precautions | Risk of thyroid, lung, and liver toxicity |
| Nursing Interventions | Monitor ECG, liver enzymes, and pulmonary function |
| Patient Education | Report vision changes, cough, or skin discoloration |
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Suffix | -statin |
| Examples | Not specified |
| Mechanism of Action | Inhibits HMG‑CoA reductase, decreasing cholesterol synthesis in the liver |
| Uses/Indications | Hyperlipidemia Atherosclerosis prevention |
| Side Effects | Muscle pain Liver toxicity Rhabdomyolysis Nausea |
| Contraindications/Precautions | Contraindicated in pregnancy. Avoid grapefruit juice. |
| Nursing Interventions | Monitor liver enzymes, check for muscle pain |
| Patient Education | Take in evening. Report any muscle pain or weakness. |
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Suffix | None standardized |
| Examples | Nitroglycerin Isosorbide Hydralazine |
| Mechanism of Action | Relaxes and dilates arteries, reducing afterload and improving blood flow |
| Uses/Indications | Angina Hypertensive crisis Heart failure Severe hypertension |
| Side Effects | Headache Flushing Orthostatic hypotension Reflex tachycardia Drug-induced lupus |
| Contraindications/Precautions | Avoid with PDE5 inhibitors (e.g., sildenafil) |
| Nursing Interventions | Monitor BP closely. Remove previous patch before applying new one |
| Patient Education | Rise slowly. Call 911 if chest pain not relieved after 3 sublingual doses |
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Suffix | -ide |
| Examples | Not specified |
| Mechanism of Action | Inhibits reabsorption of Na, Cl, and water in the loop of Henle |
| Uses/Indications | Edema Hypertension Heart failure Renal disease Liver disease |
| Side Effects | Hypokalemia Ototoxicity Hypotension Dehydration Hyperglycemia |
| Contraindications/Precautions | Avoid rapid IV push |
| Nursing Interventions | Monitor I&O, BP, electrolytes |
| Patient Education | Report ringing in ears. Encourage potassium‑rich foods |
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Suffix | None |
| Examples | Spironolactone |
| Mechanism of Action | Inhibits aldosterone in distal tubule, retaining potassium while excreting sodium |
| Uses/Indications | Heart failure Hypertension Hyperaldosteronism |
| Side Effects | Hyperkalemia Gynecomastia GI upset |
| Contraindications/Precautions | Avoid salt substitutes |
| Nursing Interventions | Monitor potassium, BP, and weight |
| Patient Education | Report signs of hyperkalemia |
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Suffix | -parin, -ban, -tran |
| Examples | Heparin Enoxaparin Warfarin Apixaban Rivaroxaban Dabigatran |
| Mechanism of Action (Class-Wide) | Inhibit clotting cascade to prevent formation and growth of fibrin clots |
| Uses/Indications | DVT PE AFib Post-surgery clot prevention |
| Side Effects | Bleeding Bruising Hematuria GI bleeding |
| Contraindications/Precautions | Bleeding disorders Recent surgery Pregnancy (Warfarin) |
| Nursing Interventions | Monitor PT/INR (Warfarin), aPTT (Heparin), signs of bleeding |
| Patient Education | Use soft toothbrush, electric razor, avoid high-risk activities. Maintain consistent vitamin K intake (Warfarin) |
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Suffix | None standardized |
| Examples | Norepinephrine Epinephrine Phenylephrine Vasopressin |
| Mechanism of Action (Class-Wide) | Stimulate alpha, beta, or vasopressin receptors to cause vasoconstriction and increase blood pressure |
| Uses/Indications | Severe hypotension Septic shock Anaphylaxis Cardiac arrest |
| Side Effects | Tachyarrhythmias Reflex bradycardia Lactic acidosis (epinephrine) Ischemia |
| Contraindications/Precautions | Use with caution in patients with cardiac ischemia or arrhythmias |
| Nursing Interventions | Administer via central line if long-term. Monitor VS, ECG, urine output. Titrate to MAP goal. Check IV site infiltration (phentolamine if extravasation) |
| Patient Education | Not typically used outside critical care; explain monitoring, central access, short-term use |
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Suffix | None standardized |
| Examples | Digoxin Dobutamine Dopamine Milrinone |
| Mechanism of Action (Class-Wide) | Increase cardiac contractility (positive inotrope) to improve cardiac output |
| Uses/Indications | Heart failure Cardiogenic shock Atrial fibrillation/flutter (Digoxin) |
| Side Effects | Ventricular arrhythmias Thrombocytopenia (Milrinone) Nausea Headache Palpitations |
| Contraindications/Precautions | Hold Digoxin if HR < 60 bpm. Risk of toxicity in renal impairment (Digoxin). Use with caution in arrhythmias |
| Nursing Interventions | Monitor apical pulse (Digoxin), electrolytes, renal function, ECG. Strict I&O. Continuous monitoring for IV agents |
| Patient Education | Teach signs of Digoxin toxicity (vision changes, nausea, vomiting, dizziness). Report palpitations or irregular heartbeat |
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Suffix | -thiazide |
| Examples | Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) Chlorothiazide |
| Mechanism of Action | Block reabsorption of sodium and water in distal tubule, promoting diuresis |
| Uses/Indications | Hypertension Heart failure (adjunct) Liver disease |
| Side Effects | Hypokalemia Hyponatremia Hyperuricemia Hypercalcemia Dehydration |
| Contraindications/Precautions | Avoid in patients with gout or renal failure |
| Nursing Interventions | Monitor BP, daily weights, I&O, electrolytes. Encourage potassium‑rich foods |
| Patient Education | Take in morning. Report dizziness or muscle cramps. Increase fluid unless contraindicated |
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Suffix | None |
| Examples | Mannitol |
| Mechanism of Action | Increases serum osmolality, drawing water out of cells into intravascular space for excretion |
| Uses/Indications | Cerebral edema (↑ ICP) Increased intraocular pressure (glaucoma) |
| Side Effects | Pulmonary edema Dehydration Fluid volume overload Hypotension |
| Contraindications/Precautions | Avoid in active cranial bleeding or anuria |
| Nursing Interventions | Monitor I&O, electrolytes, vital signs. Administer via filter if crystallized |
| Patient Education | Explain rationale for use. Report chest pain or swelling. Used only in monitored settings |
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Suffix | None standardized |
| Examples | Aliskiren (Tekturna) |
| Mechanism of Action | Binds to renin, inhibiting conversion of angiotensinogen to angiotensin I, lowering BP |
| Uses/Indications | Hypertension |
| Side Effects | Diarrhea Hyperkalemia Hypotension Rare cough or angioedema |
| Contraindications/Precautions | Contraindicated in pregnancy. Use caution in renal impairment & with ACE/ARBs |
| Nursing Interventions | Monitor BP, renal function, electrolytes |
| Patient Education | Take as prescribed. Report persistent side effects. Notify provider if pregnant. |