Well my main use is for spelling of meds. But it does give you details on each med. And some of the popular ones, like nitro, they REALLLLLLLLLLY go into full detail. BTW you meant systolic i hope
over 100 (national, but in NJ we use 120 off-line medical order if they are prescribed and have their own nitro) to administer nitro to a patient. Let me paste what the program wrote on nitro:
nitroglycerin
GENERIC NAME: nitroglycerin
BRAND NAME: Nitro-Bid; Nitro-Dur; Nitrostat; Transderm-Nitro; Minitran; Deponit; Nitrol
DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Nitroglycerin is a vasodilator (a medication that dilates blood vessels) that frequently is used in the management of angina pectoris. Synthesized in 1846, nitroglycerin was first used to treat anginal attacks in 1879. It was granted FDA approval in 1938.
Blood returning from the body in the veins must be pumped by the heart through the lungs and into the arteries against the high pressure in the arteries. In order to accomplish this work, the heart's muscle must produce and use energy ("fuel"). The production of energy requires oxygen. Angina pectoris (angina) or "heart pain" is due to an inadequate flow of blood (and oxygen) to the muscle of the heart. It is believed that all nitrates, including nitroglycerin, correct the imbalance between the flow of blood and oxygen to the heart and the work that the heart must do by dilating the arteries and veins in the body. Dilation of the veins reduces the amount of blood that returns to the heart that must be pumped. Dilation of the arteries lowers the pressure in the arteries against which the heart must pump. As a consequence, the heart works less and requires less blood and oxygen.
Additionally, in patients with angina, nitroglycerin preferentially dilates blood vessels that supply the areas of the heart where there is not enough oxygen, thereby delivering oxygen to the heart tissue that needs it most.
PRESCRIPTION: yes
GENERIC AVAILABLE: yes (for some dosage forms)
PREPARATIONS: extended-release capsules containing 2.5, 6.5, 9, or 13 mg; 2% ointment with tape for application; patches (or transdermal delivery systems) which deliver 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.6, or 0.8 mg of nitroglycerin per hour; buccal tablets containing 1, 2, or 3 mg of nitroglycerin in an extended-release formulation; a translingual spray which delivers 0.4 mg of nitroglycerin per spray; sublingual tablets containing 0.15 or 0.3mg.
STORAGE: All formulations should be kept at room temperature, 15-30°C (59-86°F). The sublingual tablets are especially susceptible to moisture. They should NOT be kept in bathrooms or kitchens because of the higher degrees of moisture there. Care should be taken to replace the sublingual tablets every six months.
PRESCRIBED FOR: Nitroglycerin is indicated for the acute treatment and prevention of angina.
DOSING: For the treatment of acute angina attacks or for acute prevention (i.e. immediately before encountering situations likely to bring on an anginal attack): one tablet is allowed to dissolve under the tongue or in the buccal pouch (between the cheek and gums), or one spray is given of the lingual spray. (Nitroglycerin for sublingual or buccal use as well as spray are rapidly absorbed from the lining of the mouth for immediate effects.) This may be repeated every 5 minutes as needed. If angina is not relieved after a total of 3 doses, the patient should be taken to a hospital or a physician should be contacted. If lingual spray is used, the canister of spray should not be shaken prior to use, and it should be sprayed onto or under the tongue and then the mouth closed.
For prevention of angina, ointment may be applied using special dose-measuring application papers provided with the ointment. The appropriate amount of ointment is squeezed as a thin layer onto the paper, and the paper is used to spread the ointment onto nonhairy area of skin. The ointment should not be allowed to come into contact with the hands so that there is no absorption from the hands. Transdermal patches also are used for prevention. Patches may be applied to any hairless site but should not be applied to areas with cuts or calluses. Firm pressure should be used over the patch to ensure contact with the skin. The patch should not be cut or trimmed. Patches are waterproof and should not be affected by showering or bathing. Capsules of long-acting nitroglycerin also are used for prevention. They usually are prescribed 2 to 3 times per day and are taken 1 to 2 hours after a meal.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: Since nitroglycerin can cause hypotension (low blood pressure), other medications which also cause hypotension may produce an unwanted additive effect. Such drugs might include medicines used to treat high blood pressure, some antidepressants; some anti-psychotics, quinidine, procainamide, benzodiazepines such as diazepam (Valium) or opiates (e.g. morphine). Since alcohol also may intensify the blood pressure lowering effect of nitroglycerin, patients receiving nitroglycerin should be advised to drink alcoholic beverages with caution.
Ergot alkaloids (e.g. Cafergot) and Imitrex can oppose the vasodilatory actions of nitroglycerin and may precipitate angina. A similar effect can occur with ephedrine and the decongestants pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) and propanolamine.
PREGNANCY: Since most persons who use nitroglycerin are over 50 years of age, experience with the use of nitroglycerin during pregnancy is limited. Nitroglycerin can be used during pregnancy if in the judgment of the physician the potential benefits justify the potential (though unknown) risks to the fetus.
NURSING MOTHERS: It is not known if nitroglycerin is secreted in breast milk.
SIDE EFFECTS: A persistent, throbbing headache commonly occurs with nitroglycerin therapy. Aspirin, acetaminophen, or ibuprofen may be used to relieve the pain. Flushing of the head and neck can occur with nitroglycerin therapy as can an increase in heart rate or palpitations. This can be associated with a drop in blood pressure which can be accompanied by dizziness or weakness. To reduce the risk of low blood pressure, patients often are told to sit or lie down during and immediately after taking nitroglycerin.
