DRUG STUDY

Name of the Patient: Mr. Macario Age: 72 years old Sex: Male Name of Student: Casilao, Mike Arone H.
Civil Status: Religion: Rm/Bed No. _________________ Area: Level/ Block: BSNIII-B
Address: Date Submitted: March 28, 2022
Date of Admission: _____________________ Diagnosis: Alzheimer’s Disease Rating: ___________________________________________________

MEDICATION Classification/ Action Indications Contraindications Side Effects Adverse Effects Nursing Responsibilities
 Nausea
Generic name: Pharmacotherapeutic: To treat mild to This drug is  Vomiting Before:
moderate dementia contraindicated to  Increased salivation  Verify doctor’s order in
 Diarrhea
Galantamine Acetylcholinesterase of Alzheimer’s type. patients with: regards to the medication.
 Anorexia  Lacrimation
hydrobromide The order should include the
inhibitor (central)  Urination
Brand name:  Hypersensitivity to  Weight loss drug name, dosage,
galantamine  Abdominal  Defecation frequency and route of
Razadyne Clinical: hydrobromide or its  Bradycardia administration. If any element
pain
components  Hypotension is missing, check with the
Usual dosage/  Insomnia practitioner.
Antidementia  Severe hepatic or
frequency:  Depression  Muscle weakness  Perform handwashing
renal impairment
Drug action: (creatinine  Headache  Observe the ten (10) rights of
Adult: Initial: 8 mg clearance less than  Dizziness medication administration
Elevates acetylcholine
daily. Dosage 9 ml/min/1.73 m2)  Educate and explain the
concentrations in cerebral  Fatigue
increased by 8 mg medication to the client and
daily every 4 weeks if cortex by slowing Use cautiously in:  Rhinitis SO.
tolerated. Maximum: degeneration of  Tremors  Assess cognitive function
24 mg daily. acetylcholine released by  Moderate renal or  Constipation  Assess history for peptic
still intact cholinergic hepatic impairment  Confusion ulcer, urinary obstruction,
Usual route: neurons. May increase  History of ulcer asthma, COPD, seizure
 Cough disorder, and cardiac
serotonin or glutamate disease
 Anxiety conduction disturbances
levels.  Asthma
Oral (PO)  COPD  Question for history of
Therapeutic Effect:  Bladder outflow  Urinary allergies, and full medication
Slows progression of Obstruction incontinence history; screen for
Drug order: Alzheimer’s disease.  Supraventricular interactions
cardiac conduction  Obtain serum potassium,
Pharmacokinetics:
Razadyne 8 mg PO conditions (except LFT, CBC, and renal function
once a day with pacemaker) tests.
Absorption: Readily
 Seizure disorder
absorbed from GI tract.  Concurrent During:
Distribution: Distributed to medications that
blood cells; binds to slow cardiac
plasma proteins, mainly conduction through  Administer drug as ordered.
albumin. SA or AV node  Position patient appropriately
 Elderly with low for medication
Protein Binding: 18%
body weight and/or administration.
serious co-  Ensure proper body
Metabolism: Metabolized morbidities mechanics for health care
in the liver. provider.
 Instruct client to swallow
Excretion: tablets whole. Advise them to
Excreted in urine. not break, crush, dissolve, or
Half-life: 7 hrs divide the tablets.
 Follow dose with water.
Pharmacodynamics:
After:
Onset: Unknown  Evaluate the effectiveness of
Peak: 4 ½ -5 hrs the medication.
Duration: Unknown  Emphasize the importance of
follow-up exams to monitor
Drug interactions: progress. Encourage patient
participation in
psychotherapy to improve
 Anticholinergic
coping skills.
agents may
 Document the time, location,
decrease dose, medication given to the
levels/effects. patient.
 Monitor behavior,
mood/cognitive function, and
activities of daily living.
 Monitor client for progressive
deterioration of mental status
because the drug is less
effective as Alzheimer’s
disease progresses and
intact cholinergic neurons
decrease
 Evaluate ECG and periodic
rhythm strips in clients with
underlying arrhythmias
 This drug may cause
bradycardia and heart block.
Consider all clients at risk for
adverse effects on cardiac
conduction.
 Because of the risk of
increased gastric secretion,
monitor clients closely for
symptoms of active or occult
GI bleeding, especially those
with an increased risk of
developing ulcers
 Monitor client’s weight during
therapy
 Monitor clients closely for
seizures.
Patient Teaching:

 Emphasize the importance of

taking galantamine daily, as
directed. Missed doses
should be skipped and
regular schedule returned to
the following day. Do not
take more than prescribed;
higher doses do not increase
effects but may increase side
effects
 Inform patient/family that it
may take weeks before
improvement in baseline
behavior is observed.
 Caution patient and
caregiver that galantamine
may cause dizziness.
 Advise patient and caregiver
to notify health care
professional if nausea,
vomiting, diarrhea, or
changes in color of stool
occur or if new symptoms
occur or previously noted
symptoms increase in
severity.
 Instruct patient to notify
health care professional of all
Rx or OTC medications,
vitamins, or herbal products
being taken and to consult
health care professional
before taking other Rx, OTC,
or herbal products.
 Advise patient and caregiver
to notify health care
professional of medication
regimen before treatment or
surgery.
 Teach patient and caregivers
that improvements in
cognitive functioning may
take weeks to months to
stabilize.
 Caution that disease is not
cured and degenerative
process is not reversed.
 Emphasize the importance of
follow-up exams to monitor
progress.

References:
 Vallerand, A. H., & Sanoski, C. A. (2019) Davis’s Drug Guide for Nurses (6th Edition). F.A Davis Company.
 Kizior, R. J., & Hodgson, K. J. (2020). Saunders Nursing Drug Handbook 2020. Elsevier.