Category: Key Patient Counseling Points

Amiodarone: Cordarone

Key Patient Counseling Points:

  • Use sunscreen, avoid tanning beds.
  • Report signs/symptoms of cardiac arrhythmias, pulmonary toxicity, or liver toxicity.
  • Take consistently with regard to meals but avoid taking with grapefruit or grapefruit juice.
  • Avoid sudden discontinuation.

Class:

Antiarrhythmic

Mechanism of Action:

Type III antiarrhythmic that prolongs the effective refractory period of atrial and ventricular tissue by blocking potassium conductance

Alprazolam: Xanax

Key Patient Counseling Points:

  • May cause drowsiness; avoid driving or other tasks requiring motor coordination.
  • Do not crush or break extended release product.
  • Oral disintegrating tablet may be divided, but are unstable after breaking. If only 1/2 tablet taken, discard the other half.
  • Allow oral disintegrating tablet to dissolve on your tongue.
  • Avoid alcohol.

Class:

Benzodiazepine, Short or Intermediate. C-IV

Mechanism of Action:

Enhances the postsynaptic effect of the inhibitory neurotransmitter, γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA).

Allopurinol: Zyloprim

Key Patient Counseling Points:

  • Take after meals to lessen gastric irritation.
  • Maintain adequate hydration during therapy.
  • Patient should avoid alcohol or caffeine while taking allopurinol.
  • Seek medical attention if signs and symptoms of myelosuppression, agranulocytosis (severe neutropenia), or Stevens-Johnson syndrome (flu-like symptoms, spreading red rash, or skin/mucous membrane blistering) occur.

Class:

Xanthine Oxidase Inhibitor; Antigout

Mechanism of Action:

Allopurinol decreases the production of uric acid by inhibiting the action of xanthine oxidase, the enzyme that converts hypoxanthine to xanthine and xanthine to uric acid.

Alendronate: Fosamax

Key Patient Counseling Points:

  • Swallow the non-effervescent tablet whole with a large glass (8 oz) of plain water only.
  • Dissolve one effervescent tablet in 4 oz of room temperature plain water only (not mineral water or flavored water); once effervescence stops, wait ≥5 min and stir the solution for about 10 seconds and then drink.
  • Wait at least 30 min after you swallow the tablet before you eat or drink anything or take any other medicines. This will help your body absorb the medicine.
  • Do not lie down for at least 30 min after taking this medicine, and do not lie down until after you have eaten some food.

Class:

Bisphosphonate

Mechanism of Action:

Alendronate binds to bone hydroxyapatite, and at the cellular level, inhibits osteoclast activity, thereby modulating bone metabolism.

Albuterol: Proair-HFA, Proventil-HFA, Ventolin-HFA

Key Patient Counseling Points:

  • Instruct patient on inhaler technique.
  • Wash the mouthpiece and air dry thoroughly at least once a week (may cease to deliver medication if mouthpiece becomes blocked).
  • For Tablets only: Do not crush extended-release tablets. Part of the extended-release tablet may pass into stool. Contact prescriber if more albuterol is needed to control symptoms than usual as this may indicate asthma deterioration.

Class:

Selective β2-Agonist

Mechanism of Action:

Albuterol is a selective β2-adrenergic agonist that produces bronchodilation, vasodilation, uterine relaxation, skeletal muscle stimulation, peripheral vasodilation, and tachycardia.