decrease-cholesterol-levels
Medications
Patient and CG instructed on Pravastatin. Pravastatin is used to lower cholesterol and triglycerides (types of fat) in the blood. Pravastatin is also used to lower the risk of stroke, heart attack, and other heart complications in people with or without coronary heart disease or other risk factors. Pravastatin can cause a condition that results in the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue, leading to kidney failure. This condition may be more likely to occur in older adults and in people who have kidney disease or poorly controlled hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid). Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to pravastatin: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. In rare cases, pravastatin can cause a condition that results in the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue, leading to kidney failure. Stop using and call your doctor at once if you have:unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness; fever, unusual tiredness; dark colored urine; chest pain; upper stomach pain, loss of appetite; or jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes). Common pravastatin side effects may include: muscle or joint pain; nausea, vomiting, diarrhea; headache; or cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat.
Instructed patient on Atorvastatin which is used to lower cholesterol, some side effects include confusion, memory problems; fever, unusual tiredness, and dark colored urine; swelling, weight gain, urinating less than usual or not at all, increased thirst, increased urination, hunger, dry mouth, and fruity breath odor.
Instructed in new medication Vioxx to manage osteoarthritis. In addition, warned of possible S/E such as headache, asthenia, fatigue, dizziness, aseptic meningitis, hypertension, lower-extremity edema, sinusitis, diarrhea, dyspepsia, epigastric discomfort, heartburn, nausea, abdominal pain, GI bleeding, urinary tract infection, hyponatremia, back pain, bronchitis, upper respiratory tract infection, pulmonary edema and flu-like syndrome. Patient may experience signs and symptoms of GI bleeding, including bloody vomitus, blood in urine and stool and black, tarry stools. Advised to call MD if he experiences these signs or symptoms. Report rash, unexplained weight gain or edema. Avoid aspirin and products containing aspirin unless prescriber has instructed otherwise. Avoid OTC anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen (Advil) unless prescriber has instructed it. All NSAIDs including Rofecoxib may adversely affect the liver. Signs and symptoms of liver toxicity include nausea, fatigue, lethargy, itching, jaundice, right upper quadrant tenderness and flu-like syndrome. Instructed to stop therapy and call MD immediately if patient experiences these signs or symptoms. Women must inform MD if they become pregnant, or they are planning on becoming pregnant while taking drugs. This drug may be taken without regard to food although taking it with food may decrease GI distress. The most common adverse effects of this drug are dyspepsia, epigastric discomfort, heartburn and nausea. Taking drug with food may help minimize these effects.
Instructed in new medication Alprazolam to manage anxiety. In addition, warned of possible S/E such as drowsiness, light-headedness, headache, confusion, tremor, dizziness, syncope, depression, insomnia, memory impairment, nervousness, minor changes in EEG patterns, hypotension, tachycardia, blurred vision, nasal congestion, dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, increased salivation, weight gain or loss, muscle rigidity, dermatitis. Avoid hazardous activities that require alertness and good psychomotor coordination until CNS effects of drug are known. Avoid alcohol while taking drug. Smoking may decrease effectiveness of drug. Do not stop using drug abruptly because withdrawal symptoms or seizures may occur.
Instructed in possible adverse reactions to Verapamil, including, dizziness, headache, fatigue, intermittent decrease in B/P and heart rate, nausea, and constipation.
Instructed in possible adverse reactions to Isordil, including headache, dizziness, decrease in B/P with position changes, rapid heart rate, palpitations, flushing and ankle edema.
Instructed patient about Allopuriniol, and why it should be administered with foods to decrease gastrointestinal discomforts. It can be crushed and mixed with foods to help patients with swallowing difficulties.
Taught that antacids can decrease the absorption of Crestor when taken at the same time.
Instructed patient/caregiver on general precautions while taking aspirin: take with food, milk, or large glass of water to decrease gastric symptoms. (Enteric coated or buffered may be better tolerated.); avoid alcohol due to possible internal bleeding; only take the recommended amount; use cautiously with Asthma; observe and report s/s of bleeding (easy bruising, bleeding gums, black stools); discard medications if vinegar odor is present; do not take antacids due to decreased effectiveness; avoid chewing or crushing enteric coated.
SN instructed in new medication Apresoline ( Hydralazine ), its uses as a vasodilator to decrease BP and common side effects such as; Headache, anorexia, dizziness, hypotension, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, palpitations, tachycardia, angina pectoris. Patient was instructed on the signs and symptoms of hypotension that may happen in a few seconds or minutes of standing up after been sitting or lying down. It feel like fainting. Signs include: dizziness, blurry vision, confusion, weakness and nausea. Those symptoms go away if sitting or lying down for few minutes until the blood pressure adjusts to normal.