Insulin, Coumadin, Heparin, antihypertensives, viagra, digitalis, ritalin, actonel, accutane,

anti-ulcer medications, nitroglycern, to name a few. Try to look at the suffixes:

ace inhibitors end with 'pril (eg: captopril) *note that this drug increases potassium in the
blood,
angiotensinogen 2 inhibitors end in 'sartan (eg: losartan),
beta blockers end with 'olol (eg: metoprolol) *caution with patients who are diabetic or
who are asthmatic,
cholesterol reducing drugs usually end with 'statin (eg: atorvastatin) * note that if the
patient experiences muscular pain, they should stop immediately and report it to the
doctor, also not to consume grapefruit juice,
impotence drugs end with "defil (eg: sildenefil-hope I spelled it correctly...if not please
excuse the typo) *note that you cannot take this drug if you are taking nitrates such as
nitroglycerin or isosorbide and go to the doctor if an erection last longer than 4 hours,
accutane is an acne drug, where a pregnancy test must be done on females before
prescribing them
actonel (again, this may be a typo) cannot be taken unless a person is able to sit up for at
least 1/2 hour to an hour after adminstration.
Know the acting times of insulin, which is fast acting, long acting or the lente. They may
ask when will a person become hypoglycemic, and that would be during peak hours.
penicillin: if a person has an allergy to penicillin, they may be at risk for an allergy to a
cephalosporin, in that case suggest a macrolide such as clarithromycin. Macrolides are
known to cause severe stomach pain for some people. Also, if a nurse administers
penicillin or cephalosporin, that the patient should remain with the nurse for 1/2 hour
afterwards to intervene with allergic reactions.
Most drugs that end with 'mycin may cause nephrotoxicity or ototoxicity
Parameters for digitalis administration, and also that if potassium is low and calcium and
magnesium is high, there is a higher chance for digitalis toxicity.
corticosteriods usually end with 'sone (eg: predinsone), may cause medication related
diabetes, increase chances of infection, cause Cushoid symptoms (buffalo hump in back,
thin skin, easy to bruise, etc...)
Aspirin should not be consumed with alcohol, increases bleeding, causes ulcers, should
be taken with food to diminish gastric distress

Antidote for tylenol is Mucomyst.

ace inhibitors end with 'pril (eg: captopril) *note that this drug increases potassium in the
blood,
angiotensinogen 2 inhibitors end in 'sartan (eg: losartan),
beta blockers end with 'olol (eg: metoprolol) *caution with patients who are diabetic or
who are asthmatic,
cholesterol reducing drugs usually end with 'statin (eg: atorvastatin) * note that if the
patient experiences muscular pain, they should stop immediately and report it to the
doctor, also not to consume grapefruit juice,
impotence drugs end with "defil (eg: sildenefil-hope I spelled it correctly...if not please
excuse the typo) *note that you cannot take this drug if you are taking nitrates such as
nitroglycerin or isosorbide and go to the doctor if an erection last longer than 4 hours,
accutane is an acne drug, where a pregnancy test must be done on females before
prescribing them
actonel (again, this may be a typo) cannot be taken unless a person is able to sit up for at
least 1/2 hour to an hour after adminstration.
Know the acting times of insulin, which is fast acting, long acting or the lente. They may
ask when will a person become hypoglycemic, and that would be during peak hours.
penicillin: if a person has an allergy to penicillin, they may be at risk for an allergy to a
cephalosporin, in that case suggest a macrolide such as clarithromycin. Macrolides are
known to cause severe stomach pain for some people. Also, if a nurse administers
penicillin or cephalosporin, that the patient should remain with the nurse for 1/2 hour
afterwards to intervene with allergic reactions.
Most drugs that end with 'mycin may cause nephrotoxicity or ototoxicity
Parameters for digitalis administration, and also that if potassium is low and calcium and
magnesium is high, there is a higher chance for digitalis toxicity.
corticosteriods usually end with 'sone (eg: predinsone), may cause medication related
diabetes, increase chances of infection, cause Cushoid symptoms (buffalo hump in back,
thin skin, easy to bruise, etc...)
Aspirin should not be consumed with alcohol, increases bleeding, causes ulcers, should
be taken with food to diminish gastric distress
Antidote for tylenol is Mucomyst.

HERE GOES...
1. Alpha 1-adrenergic Blockers end in zosin and losin. SE are dizziness, weakness may
occur when changing position. Should teach pt to change position slowly and lie down if
dizziness occurs. GI upset may occur, teach pt to eat smaller more frequent meals. Should
tell the pt to report FREQUENT faintness or dizziness.
2. Aminoglycosides end in mycin and another imp. that they try to throw in to confuse
you is amikacin sulfate.. teach pt to take full course of drugs and drink plenty of
fluids,tell them they may report these SE..RINGING IN EARS, headache, dizziness, N/V,
loss of appetite. They should report pain at the injection site and severe headache,
dizziness, loss of hearing, changes in urine pattern, difficulty breathing, rash or skin
lesions,
3. ACE inhibitors end in pril take these drugs 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals, do
NOT take w/ food (captopril, moexipril). These drugs will give a false pos. for urine
acetone, DO NOT give to pregnant women can cause serios fetal effects. patient may
experience GI upset, appetite loss, dizziness fast heart rate, change in taste. Teach pt to
report sore throat, fever, chills swelling of hands and feet, chest pain and irregular heart
beats swelling of face and eyes lips tongue difficulty breathing
4. ARBS end in SARTAN. Teach pt they must use an alternate method to birth control
while using these drugs. May experience dizziness, nausea, abdominal pain, symptoms of
URI, cough. Report fever, chills, dizziness and pregnancy
5. Anti migraine Drugs end in triptan. shouldnt take while pregnant Contact MD
IMMED. if you experience chest pain or pressure that doesnt go away, Report feelings of
heat flushing tiredness, sickness swelling of lips and eyelids. SE you may experience are:
dizziness and drowsiness, numbness feelings of tightness or pressure
6. Antivirals end in VIR. SE pt may experience are n/v/d, loss of appetite,HA, dizziness.
REPORT: difficulty urinating, skin rash, or freq. recurrences.
7. Barbituates end in barbital. Teach pt that these drugs make you drowsy and less
anxious dont try to get up after receiving this drug and they may experience drowsiness,
dizziness , impaired thinking, hangover, ...AVOID DRIVING. GI upset,
dreams(nightmares) diff. concentrating, fatigue. Report severe dizziness, drowsiness, and
weakness and pregnancy
8. Benzodiazepines end in pam and lam and in the middle have either azo or aze. SE are
same as above drowsiness, dizziness etc. REPORT: SEVERE drowsiness, dizziness,
swelling in extremities, diff. voiding, palpitations
9. Beta Blockers end in OLOL. You may experience dizziness, drowsiness, light headed,
blurred vision, n/v, loss of appetite, impotence, depression. REPORT: diff. breathing,
night cough, swelling of extremities, slow pulse, confusion, depression, rash and sore
throat

Food & Drug Interactions

Take with food
Ceftin - Cardene - Biaxin - Keflex - Demadex - Augmentin - Ceclor - Ticlid

Take 15 minutes before food

Prilosec - Propulsid

Take on an empty stomach

(1 hour before or 2 hours after food)
Prevacid - Zithromax - Carafate - Ampicillin

May take with or without food

Effexor - Prozac(avoid alcohol) - Pamelor(limit caffeine)

Take with food - Avoid alcohol

Xanax - Zoloft - Paxil - Restoril - Desyrel - Buspar - Klonopin - Flagyl

Take with food - Avoid alcohol - Limit caffeine

Ativan - Valium - Elavil

Take on empty stomach - Avoid alcohol

Isordil - Monoket - Procanbid - Sorbitrate - Nitroglycerin - Pronestyl - Imdur Quinidine Sulfate - Ismo

Gastrointestinal Medications
Axid - take with food. Avoid alcohol, limit caffeine, may need a bland diet.
Tagamet - take with food. Avoid alcohol, limit caffeine, may need a bland diet. Take
iron supplement separately by 2 hours.

Zantac/Pepcid - may take with or without food. Avoid alcohol. limit caffeine, may
need a bland diet.

Antibiotics

Take the following on an empty stomach 1 hour before or 2 hours after food.

Floxin/Noroxin- take with 8 ounces of water. Drink plenty of fluids.

Tetracycline - do not take milk, dairy products, iron or calcium supplements,

antacids or mineral supplements within 1 hour before or 2 hours after taking this
medication. Take with 8 ounces of water.

Penicillin- avoid taking with citrus juices or carbonated beverages. For best results
take with 8 ounces of water.

Take the following with food especially if stomach is easily upset.

Erythromycin - limit caffeine.
Cipro- limit caffeine and drink plenty of fluids. Take antacids, magnesium, iron,
calcium or zinc supplements separate by 2 hours.

Septra/Bactrim- drink plenty of fluids. Avoid high doses of vitamin C.

Antihypertensives
(high blood pressure medication)
Take the following on an empty stomach.

Capoten - decrease sodium, decrease calorie diet may be recomended. Avoid salt
substitutes that contain potassium, caution with potassium supplements. Take
calcium or magnesium supplements separate by 2 hours. Maintain adequate fluid
intake.

Procardia - take with decreased fat meal to prevent flushing. Do not take with
orange, grapefruit or other citrus fruit juices. A low salt diet may be recommended.
Do not take calcium supplement within 3 hours of taking this medication. Avoid
alcohol.

Cardizem - a low sodium, low calorie diet may be recommended.

Hydrocholorothiazide - diuretic potassium depleting. May need to decrease
sodium, decrease calorie, increase potassium, increase magnesium. Avoid natural
licorice. Limit alcohol. Caution with calcium supplements.

Triamterene - diuretic, potassium sparing. Avoid high potassium foods, potassium

supplements, salts substitutes that contain potassium. A decreased sodium,
decreased calorie diet may be recommended. Avoid natural licorice.

Calan (Verapamil/Isoptin)- decrease sodium, decrease calorie diet may be

recommended. Limit caffeine. Caution with calcium and/or vitamin D supplements hypercalcemia decreases effectiveness.

Take the following with food or on empty stomach:

Vasotec/Zestril/Accupril - avoid salt and salty foods. Avoid salt substitutes that
contain potassium. Caution with potassium supplements. Avoid alcohol.

Atenolol/Metoprolol (Tenormin, Lopressor, Toprol XL) - a decreased sodium,

decreased calorie diet may be recommended. Avoid natural licorice.

Hytrin/Cardura - a decreased sodium, decreased calorie diet may be

recommended. Avoid natural licorice. Caution with alcohol.

Antihyperlipidemics

These medications are prescribed to lower blood lipid (cholesterol) levels. A low
cholesterol, low fat diet may be recommended. Avoid alcohol.

Pravachol - take on an empty stomach 1 hour before or 2 hours after foods.

Mevacor/Lopid - take with food.
Zocor/Lescol - may take with or without food.

Cardiovascular
Lanoxin - take this medication 1 hour before breakfast. Avoid high fiber foods such
as bran, bran cereals or bran muffins for breakfast, but it is acceptable to eat highfiber foods later in the day. Avoid natural licorice.

Miscellaneous Cardiac Medications

Quinidine (Quinaglute, Duraguin, Quinidex) - take this medication 1 hour before
or 2 hours after food. Take with 8 ounces of water. Do not drink more than 1 or 2
glasses of citrus juice while on this medication. Caution with potassium supplements.

Take the following with food:

Lozol - a low sodium, low calorie, high potassium, high magnesium diet may be
recommended. Avoid natural licorice. Limit alcohol.

Edecrin - a high potassium, high magnesium diet may be recommended. Liberal

sodium diet for most patients. Limit alcohol.

Trental- a low cholesteral, low calorie diet may be recommended. Limit caffeine.
Bumex/Lasix/Hydrodiuril- a low salt, high potassium diet may be recommended.
Avoid natural licorice and alcohol.

Miscellaneous Medications
Theophylline - this medication will not work well if you eat more protein than

usual. Try to eat the same protein foods each day. Avoid charcoal-broiled foods.
Avoid caffeine. For Theo-24 only take with a high fat meal or snack.

Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (Parnate, Nardil, Marplan) - avoid foods high in

tyramine. If you eat foods high in tyramine while on this medication it can cause
nausea, vomiting, high blood pressure and headaches. Avoid alcohol and limit
caffeine.

Oral Hypoglycemics (Diabinese, Glucotrol, Diabeta, Micronase) - take with

food and avoid alcohol. Compliance with a diabetic diet is important.

Coumadin (anticoagulant) - avoid excessive amounts of foods that are high in

vitamin K. Do not drink herbal teas or green teas while taking this medication.
Because of the varied effects that food can have on this medication, maintain a well
balanced diet with a consistent intake of vitamin K. Avoid alcohol.

Foods High In Tyramine

Aged cheese - Caffeine - Pickled Herring - Aged Meat - Chicken Liver - Raisins Anchovies - Chocolate - Red Wine - Bananas - Cola Drinks - Salami - Beef Liver Eggplant - Sausage - Beer - Figs - Sour Cream - Bologna - Mushrooms - Yeast
Extract - Broad Beans - Pepperoni - Soy Sauce - Yogurt

Foods High In Potassium

Apricots - Cantelope - Honeydew - Prune Juice - Asparagus - Carrots - Milk Pumpkin - Artichokes - Celery - Mushrooms - Raisins - Avocado - Chocolate Oranges - Spinach - Bananas - Dates - Orange Juice - Squash - Bran Flakes - Dried
Beans - Parsnips - Tomatoes - Broccoli - Dried Fruit - Potatoes - Tomato Juice Brussel Sprouts - Figs - Prunes - V-8 Juice - Yams

Foods High In Vitamin K

Beef Liver - Green Tea - Brussel Sprouts - Cauliflower - Tomatoes Soybeans/Soybean Oil - Green Leafy Vegetables
especially Broccoli, Cabbage, Kale, Lettuce & Turnips

Foods that Contain Caffeine

Coffe - Tea - Chocolate - Dark Sodas - Mountain Dew

Commonly tested Meds on the NCLEX-RN:

Med-Surg:
Adrenaline, Adriamycin, Alupent, Aminophylline, Amoxil, Amphogel, Apresoline,
Artane, Aspirin, Atrophine, AZT, Bactrim, Benadryl, Bentyl, Calan, Carafate, Cardizem,
Ceclor, Chronulac, Codeine, Cogentin, Compazine, Coumadin, Cytoxin, Decadron,
Demerol, Diamox, Dilantin, Diuril, Dramamine, Ducolax, Dyazide, Elavil, Flagyl,

Garamycin, Heparin, Inderal, Indocin, INH, Insulin (all types), Intropin, Isuprel, KCL,
Keflex, Lanoxin, Lasix, Librium, Lomotil, Lopressor, Maalox, Mannitol, Mefoxin,
Metamucil, Micronase, Morphine, Motrin, Mucomyst, Mycostatin, Mysoline,
Nitroglycerin, Protamine sulfate, Prozac, Prevacid, Reglan, Restoril, Robitussin,
Silvadine, Sinemet, Solu-Medrol, Streptomycin, Synthroid, Tagamet, Tegretol, Tigan,
Timoptic, Tylenol, Valium, Velosef, Vibramycin, Vistaril, Xanas, Xylocaine, Zantax,
Zyloprim
Mental Health:
Clozaril, Cogentin, Dalamane, Dexedrine, Elavil, Eskalith, Haldol, Luminal, Navane,
Phenergan, Ritalin, Serax, Sinequan, Surfak, Thorazine
OB:
Aldomet, Ampicillin, Cortef, Ergometrine, Magnesium sulfate, Pitocin, Premarin,
Primaxin, Yutopar
Peds:
Kewll, Nix, Oncovin (plus the med-surg drugs)