Nursing pharmacology is a specialized branch of nursing that focuses on the study of medications and their effects on the human body, with the goal of ensuring safe and effective drug administration. It involves understanding the principles of pharmacology, drug classifications, mechanisms of action, therapeutic uses, potential side effects, and nursing implications associated with medication administration.
Antifungals, also called antimycotics, are drugs that are used to treat fungal infections. Fungal infections usually attack people with weak immunity. Antifungal drugs include; Pregnancy Category: C They are generally categorized as category C. Animal studies have shown potential risks of antifungals to the fetus. But when they are intravaginally as in cases of nystatin […]
Macrolides are antibiotics with a macrocyclic lactone structure that has one or more deoxy sugars attached. They include the following drugs; Erythromycin was the first to be used as a drug of first choice and as an alternative to patients allergic to penicillins. Pregnancy Category: B or C They may be acceptable but can be
Monobactams are beta lactam antibiotics that are bactericidal in action. Currently, the only monobactam available is aztreonam. Pregnancy Category: B Animal studies have not shown any effects on the fetus. Mechanism of Action Aztreonam is bactericidal. It Interferes with bacterial cell wall synthesis, causing cell death in susceptible gram-negative bacteria. However, it is ineffective against
Fluoroquinolones are antibiotic successors of nalidixic acid. They offer greater efficacy, a broader spectrum of activity, and are safer than their predecessors. They include; Ciprofloxacin Gemifloxacin Levofloxacin Moxifloxacin Norfloxacin Ofloxacin Pregnancy Category: C They can be used with caution if the benefits outweigh the risks Mechanism of Action Fluoroquinolones disturb DNA replication in susceptible gram-negative
Carbapenems are broad spectrum antibiotics that are mostly used in cases of severe infections. They are mostly given via injections and are sometimes used concurrently with aminoglycosides since they are synergistic. They include; Meropenem Ertapenem Imipenem-cilastatin Doripenem Imipenem is mostly combined with cilastatin and/or relebactam (non-antibiotics drugs) because they protect it from being broken down.
Sulfonamides are bacteriostatic antibiotics. They include: Sulfamethoxazole (Mostly combined with trimethoprim) Sulfadiazine Sulfisoxazole Sulfasalazine Balsalazide Pregnancy Category: C (and D at term) They can be used in life-threatening conditions when there are no safer drugs. Studies have shown that they have potential risks to fetal life. They may increase the levels of unconjugated bilirubin and
Tetracyclines are bacteriostatic antibiotics. They include; Tetracycline Doxycycline Demeclocycline Minocycline Pregnancy Category: D Tetracyclines are toxic to the fetus and also cause teeth damage in infants. Mechanism of Action They are bacteriostatic. They prevent the replication of susceptible bacteria cells by inhibiting protein synthesis. Pharmacokinetics Absorption: They are adequately absorbed following oral ingestion. Administration with
Cephalosporins are antibiotics that act on the bacterial cell wall. They are structurally and functionally related to penicillins. They are classified into five generations based on their spectrum of action and beta lactamase resistance. These generations include; First Generation; cefazolin, cephalothin, cephalexin, cefadroxil, cephapirin Second Generation; cefuroxime, cefprozil, cefoxitin, cefmetazole, cefaclor, cefoxitin Third Generation; ceftriaxone,
Penicillins are the most commonly known antibiotic drugs. They are generally effective and have fewer toxic properties and thus tend to be overused. Their frequent use has promoted antimicrobial resistance, making scientists develop stronger combinations. Penicillins include; Amoxicillin Ampicillin Penicillin G Penicillin V Piperacillin Tircacillin There are bacteria of the genus Staphylococci that produce beta-lactamase
Aminoglycosides are antibiotics (they exert their effects against bacteria). The term aminoglycoside is derived from its structure; two amino sugars linked to a central hexose nucleus by a glycoside. Drugs in this antibiotics class include: • Amikacin • Gentamycin • Neomycin • Streptomycin • Tobramycin • Kanamycin • Paromomycin • Plazomicin Pregnancy Category: D It
