DRUG NAME INDICATION MODE OF ACTION CONTRAINDICATIONS SIDE EFFECTS
NURSING
CONSIDERATIONS
Amikacin
GENERIC NAME:
Amikacin sulfate
BRAND NAMES:
Amikacin
Amecin
Amika
Amikin
Amikarex
Amifate
Aminocin
Amikoside
Amkeen
Amkay
Treatment of serious
infections such as bacterial
septicemia (including
neonatal sepsis); infections
of the respiratory tract
Bactericidal:
Inhibits protein synthesis in
susceptible strains of gram-
negative bacteria, and the
functional integrity of
bacterial cell membrane
appears to be disrupted,
causing cell death
Contraindicated with
allergy to any
aminoglycosides, renal or
hepatic disease, pre-
existing hearing loss,
myasthenia gravis,
parkinsonism, infant
botulism, lactation
Neurotoxicity,
ototoxicity,
neuromuscular
blockade, nephrotoxicity
Before:
Check if patient has any
history of the ff: allergy to
any aminoglycosides; renal
or hepatic disease,
myasthenia gravis,
parkinsonism, infant
botulism, decreased renal
function, dehydration,
neuromuscular disorders
During:
Ensure patient is well
hydrated before and during
therapy
Increase fluid
intake/encourage
breastfeeding
After:
Monitor patient for
nephrotoxicity and
ototoxicity
Monitor I & O daily to
assess hydration status
and renal function
Report changes in urine
pattern, difficulty breathing,
rashes or skin lesions
Check for signs of
superinfection
ADVERSE EFFECTS
CNS: Ototoxicity,
neuromuscular
blockade, apnea,
headache, fever CV:
palpitations
GI: nausea, vomiting,
diarrhea
GU: nephrotoxicity,
Hematologic:
thrombocytopenia,
leukopenia,
eosinophilia, anemia
Hepatic: hepatic toxicity
Hypersensitivity:
purpura, rash, urticaria
DRUG NAME INDICATION MODE OF ACTION CONTRAINDICATIONS SIDE EFFECTS
NURSING
CONSIDERATIONS
Ceftazidime
GENERIC NAME:
Ceftazidime
BRAND NAMES:
Fortaz
Tazicef
Ceftazim
Ceptaz
Tazidime
Lower respiratory infections
caused by Pseudomonas
aeruginosa, other
Pseudomonas,
Streptococcus
pneumoniae, Haemophilia
influenzae, Staphylococcus
aureus, Escherichia coli
Septicemia caused by P.
aeruginosa, S.
pneumoniae, S. aureus, H.
influenzae
Bactericidal:
Inhibits synthesis of
bacterial cell wall, causing
cell death
Contraindicated with
allergy to cephalosporins or
penicillins
Rashes, urticarial, fever,
eosinophilia,
anaphylaxis, nausea,
pseudomembranous
colitis, vomiting,
diarrhea, nephrotoxicity,
neutropenia,
paresthesia
Before:
Check patient for history of
renal and hepatic
impairment
Assess for infection at
beginning of and
throughout therapy
During:
Do not mix drug with
aminoglycoside solutions.
Administer these drugs
separately.
Monitor bowel function:
diarrhea, ABD cramping,
fever and bloody stools
should be reported to
healthcare professionals
promptly as sign of
pseudomembranous colitis.
After:
Have Vitamin K available in
case hypoprothrombinemia
occurs.
Discontinue if
hypersensitivity reactions
occur. Keep epinephrine,
an antihistamine, and
resuscitation equipment
close by in case of an
anaphylactic reaction.
Report severe diarrhea,
difficulty breathing
ADVERSE EFFECTS
CNS: Headache,
paresthesia
GI: Nausea, vomiting,
diarrhea, abdominal
pain, hepatotoxicity,
pseudomembranous
colitis
GU: Nephrotoxicity
Hematologic: Bone
marrow depression
Hypersensitivity:
Ranging from rash to
fever to anaphylaxis
DRUG NAME INDICATION MODE OF ACTION CONTRAINDICATIONS SIDE EFFECTS
NURSING
CONSIDERATIONS
Ampicillin
GENERIC NAME:
Ampicillin sodium
BRAND NAMES:
Ambacitam
Ampicin
Ampimax
Eurocin
Polypen
Sulbacillin
Omnipen
Treatment of infections
caused by susceptible
strains of gram-positive
organisms (penicillin G
sensitive staphylococci,
streptococci, pneumococci
Bactericidal action against
sensitive organisms;
inhibits synthesis of
bacterial cell wall, causing
cell death
Contraindicated with
allergies to penicillin,
cephalosporins, or other
allergens
Use cautiously with renal
disorders
Hypersensitivity
reactions, anaphylaxis,
GI disturbances, fever,
sore mouth or tongue,
superinfection
Before:
Check patient for allergies
to penicillins,
cephalosporins, or other
allergens
Check also for renal
disorders
During:
Check IV site carefully for
signs of thrombosis or drug
reaction
Assess skin for ampicillin
rash: a non-allergic, dull
red, macular or
maculopapular, mildly
pruritic rash
After:
Report unusual bleeding or
bruising, mouth sores,
rash, hives, fever, itching,
difficulty breathing, severe
diarrhea, especially if stool
contains blood, pus or
mucus. Advise patients
companion not to treat
diarrhea without consulting
healthcare professional.
Instruct patients
companion to notify health
care professional if
symptoms do not improve
ADVERSE EFFECTS
CNS: seizures
CV: Heart failure
GI: sore mouth, furry
tongue, black hairy
tongue, nausea,
vomiting,
pseudomembranous
colitis, stomatitis,
abdominal pain, glossitis
GU: Nephritis
Hematologic: anemia,
prolonged bleeding
time, leukopenia,
thrombocytopenia,
neutropenia
Hypersensitivity: rash,
fever, wheezing,
anaphylaxis
