PEDIATRIC DRUGS

PARACETAMOL SYRUP (Oral Suspension)

Dosage – 100mg, 250mg, 500mg
Group – analgesic and antipyretic

Indications

Fever, mild and moderate pain

headache

Migraine

Nervous pain

toothache

Sore throat

General pain

Contraindications

Hypersensitivity

Liver problem

Diabetes

Phenylketonuria

Side Effects

Nozia

Disneys

Mild gastro intestinal discomfort

Allergic reaction

shortness of breath

Dry mouth

Nursing Responsibilities

Before giving the syrup, check the patient about medical history, allergies etc.

According to the condition of the patient, the dose should be verified according to the age, weight of the patient.

Monitor for any side effects or adverse reactions after administration of the syrup.

AMBROXOL

Group – mucolytic
Route – Oral, Inhalation

Dose

Adult
Oral : 60 – 120 mg / day
Inhalation: 15 – 22.5 mg (once or twice a day)
in children
Oral : 6 – 12 years : 7.5 – 30 mg

12 years and above : 60 – 120 mg / day

Inhalation : 15 – 22 mg

Mode of action

Ambroxol stimulates bronchial cells to release surfactant and increase ciliary activity, thinning mucus and increasing mucus transport.

It makes Kapha productive. Ambroxol Lozenge exerts a local anesthetic effect by blocking sodium channels and a local anti-inflammatory effect by reducing the release of cytokines.

Indication

Acute and chronic respiratory tract infections

Bronchitis, pneumonia

COPD, emphysema

Bronchiectasis

Asthma

Pre and post operative respiratory care

Contraindication

Hypersensitivity

Breast feeding

Liver impairment

Pregnancy (first three months)

Side effects

Gastrointestinal disturbances

Allergic reaction

Mouth and throat irritation

Gastric upset

Nursing Responsibility

• To follow 5R’s.
• The nurse takes a history of the patient’s medical history, allergies and current medications.
• Administer the prescribed dose to the patient by the doctor.
• Educate the patient about the drug including its side effects, complications etc.
• Monitor the patient for side effects.
• To monitor vital signs.
• Recording and reporting after the nurse has administered the drug.
• Ask the patient to take safety measures due to the sedative effect of this medicine i.e. not to drive or operate machinery.
• Monitor respiratory.

DMR – DEXTRAMETHORPHAN SYRUP

Group (group) – antitussive
Route (Route) – Oral

Dose

Adult:
Initially dose 10 – 20 mg
Maintenance dose 60 – 120 mg twice daily
In children:
Child 2 to <6 year – 5 mg Child 6 to <12 year – 10 mg Child >12 year – 20 mg

Mode of action

Dextromethorphan, similar to codeine, decreases the sensitivity of cough receptors and inhibits the transmission of cough impulses by depressing the medullary cough center through sigma receptor stimulation.

Indication

Common Cold

Respiratory infection

To remove temporary cough

Minor throat and bronchial irritation

Inhaled irritants

Contraindication

Hypersensitivity

Cough associated with chronic or excessive secretion associated with disease

Pneumonia, asthma

COPD

Also do not take MAO (Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor).

Side effects

Blurred vision

Confusion

Drowsiness, diginess

Difficulty passing urine

Nausea, vomiting

Unsteady walk

Slow breathing

nervousness

Irritability

Restlessness

Nursing Responsibility

5R to follow.

Dose as prescribed by the doctor.

Inquiring about the patient’s allergic history.

To evaluate no patient’s response to the syrup.

Educate the patient about the syrup.

Check the syrup properly before taking it.

Giving education to take liquid dose by measuring with proper dosing cup.

Do not take in supine position.

Monitor the patient for serotonin syndrome.

CPM syrup (chlorpheniramine malate)

Group (Group): Antihistamine
Which reduces the body’s histamine. Heist produces symptoms like sneezing, itching, watery eyes and runny nose that CPM treats.

Dose
Orally 4mg every 4-6hr.or 12mg every 12hr.
Oral Liquid (2 mg / 5ml)

Side effects

Drusiness
Dizziness
Constipation
Stomach upset
Blurred vision
Dry mouth nose and throat.
Nozia

Indication

Common cold
Rhinitis
Urticaria
Fever
Rainy Nose
sneezing
Watery I
Etching

Contraindication

Hypersensitivity
Premature Infant
In narrow angle glaucoma
Bladder neck obstruction
Prostate hypertrophy
Liver disease
Peptic ulcer
Pylorodiodenal obstruction

Nursing responsibility

Tell the patient that this medicine can cause dizziness. So don’t drive and don’t operate machinery. Advise to avoid alcohol.
Monitor for side effects. Administer according to proper dosage.

PROMETHAZINE

Group – first generation antihistamine

Route –

Adult Oral : 25 mg Usual Dose 6.25 – 12.5 mg IM/IV : 25 mg

Oral in children : 0.125 – 0.5mg/kg/dose Maximum dose : 25mg/dose

Mode of action

Promethazine is an antihistamine. Which shows the effect by blocking the histamine receptor. It also acts as a sedative and produces drusiness by acting on the CNS. It also acts as an antiemetic.

Indication

• Allergic conditions (itching, runny nose)
• Motion sickness
• Nausea, vomiting
• Sedation
• Pre-operative, post-operative and obstetric sedation

Contraindication

• Hypersensitivity
• Coma, liver disease
• Breast feeding
• Treatment of lower respiratory tract symptoms such as asthma
• Children <2 years
• Intra-arterial or subcutaneous administration

Side effects

• Allergic reaction – Photosensitivity – Hypotension – Extrapyramidal symptoms – Dyspnea – Constipation – Urinary retention – Blurred vision – Dry mouth – Sedation

Nursing Responsibility

• To follow 5R’s.
• The nurse takes a history of the patient’s medical history, allergies and current medications.
• Administer the prescribed dose to the patient by the doctor.
• Educate the patient about the drug including its side effects, complications etc.
• Monitor the patient for side effects.
• To monitor vital signs.
• Recording and reporting after the nurse has administered the drug.
• Ask the patient to take safety measures due to the sedative effect of this medicine i.e. not to drive or operate machinery.
• Monitor respiratory.

Cefixime (Cefixime)

Cefixime is an ‘antibiotic of the cephalosporin group’.

Mechanism of action

Cefixime inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis. It targets and binds to a specific enzyme called penicillin binding protein that disrupts the formation of the bacterial cell wall leading to bacterial cell death.

Indications

Cefixime is commonly used to treat bacterial infections. Such as in the treatment of respiratory tract infections, urinary tract infections, otitis media and some types of sexually transmitted diseases such as gonorrhea.

Administration

Cifixime is mainly administered orally with or without food depending on the product being prescribed.

This medicine is to be taken under the guidance of a health care provider and to complete the prescribed course of medicine.

Dosage

The dose of Cefixime depends on the type and severity of the infection. which is determined by the prescribing health care professional. Adults: 200 mg and children: 100 mg.

Side effects

Common side effects include diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and headache.

Serious side effects are rare. In which allergic reactions, diarrhea with blood or mucus and persistent abdominal pain are seen.

Contraindications

Cefixime is contraindicated in people allergic to cephalosporin antibiotics and penicillin. Hence, inform the health care personnel before starting a course of medicine if he has an allergy.

Precautions

Inform the health care provider about your medical history, especially history of kidney disease and gastrointestinal problems.

Cefixime should be used with caution in pregnant and breastfeeding women. Interactions

Cefixime interacts with certain medications such as blood thinners (warfarin). Hence informing the health care provider if we are taking any kind of medicine.

Resistance

If antibiotics are misused or overused, it leads to the development of antibiotic resistance in the body. Therefore, take antibiotics only as prescribed by a health care professional.

Always follow the guidance and instructions given by the health care provider related to Cefixime and do not share this antibiotic with others and do not self-prescribe. Thus before using an antibiotic one should be sure about its effectiveness and prevention of antibiotic resistance development.

Albendazole (Albendazole)

Albendazole is a medicine of anthelmintic or anthelmintic group. It is used to treat different types of parasitic infections, worm infestations.

Mechanism of action

Albendazole interferes with the parasite’s metabolism and inhibits its ability to absorb glucose. Due to which the energy store gets depleted (destroyed) and the parasite dies.

Indications

Albendazole is commonly used to treat infections caused by parasitic worms, such as

• Intestinal roundworm
• Hookworm
• Whipworm
• Tapeworm
• Some types of flukes
• Neurocysticercosis (parasite infection of the brain)
• Given in conditions of hydatid disease etc.

Administration

• Albendazole is taken orally with food. Its dosage and duration depends on the type of infection being treated. So follow the doctor’s instructions for a full course of medicine.

This medicine is usually given twice a week.

Side effects

Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dizziness and headache.

Serious side effects are rare including allergic reactions, liver problems. Notify health care personnel if severe abdominal pain, yellowing of the skin (jaundice) occurs.

Contraindications

It is contraindicated in people with hypersensitivity to albendazole. Also it is not used during pregnancy. Precautions

Inform the health care provider about current medical conditions, allergies, and current medications before taking albendazole.

Interactions

Albendazole interacts with certain medications. Like cimetidine, dexamethasone. Hence, inform the doctor if any kind of medicine is on.

Pregnancy and breast feeding

Albendazole should be avoided during pregnancy, especially the first trimester. Use in breastfeeding women only if the benefits outweigh the risks.

Overdose

Seek medical attention if symptoms of albendazole overdose such as dizziness, headache, nausea, vomiting, and reversible hair loss occur.

Always seek the advice or consult of a health care professional for the use of albendazole.

Nursing responsibilities

Assessment

Collecting the patient’s medical history. In which to learn about allergic history, current medication, potential contraindications and interactions.

Perform liver function assays because albendazole may cause liver enzyme abnormalities.

If a female patient, check whether she is pregnant or not as Albendazole is contraindicated during pregnancy.
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Administration

Advise the patient to take albendazole with food to increase its absorption. Swallow the albendazole tablet. Do not chew or crush it

Patient education

Explain the purpose of giving Albendazole, importance of completing the course of treatment and possible side effects.

Advise the patient or inform if signs of liver dysfunction are observed. Such as jaundice, abdominal pain and dark urine

Use a contraceptive for one month after completing a course of albendazole as albendazole harms the developing fetus.

Monitoring

Monitor the patient for signs of an allergic reaction such as rash, itching, swallowing, dyspnoea.

Monitor the patient for any side effects.

Assess patients for liver function during treatment, especially in those with liver disease.

Also use with caution in people with hepatic impairment.

Follow up

Arrange an appointment to check the effectiveness of the treatment and whether any complications are observed.

Explain to the patient the importance of follow up care