Pharmacology concepts and applications

¶ … cardiac problems, GI issues and anticoagulants as discussion topics the writer illustrates medical understanding. There were two sources used to complete this paper.

CARDIAC

In the world of cardiac events most people immediately think about heart attacks however there are many other disorders that can place stress on the heart and the patient.

Supra ventricular tachycardia is a disorder in which the heart rate begins to beat rapidly with no notice. Heart rates can jump from 60 to 320 beats per minutes without acceleration. While SVT is rarely life threatening a sustained AVT attack can create potentially dangerous situations including ventricular fibrillation that can cause sudden cardiac death.

Three medications that are commonly used for SVT include Verapamil, Betapace and Calan SR. Verapamil is a calcium channel blocker designed to reduce the calcium signal for electrical conduction of the heart. Betapace is a beta blocker that helps control the electric conduction of the heart. Calan is another calcium channel blocker that works in a similar manner to Verapamil.

Each of the medications used have precautions and possible side effects that can vary from nausea to fatigue to more serious issues such as heart rate problems. Side effects usually are not severe enough to stop the medication but should be reported to a doctor. Betapace is the exception. It can cause very serious side effect during the loading dose including sudden cardiac death therefore patients are admitted into a hospital before being started and for the first three days of taking it so they can be closely monitored.

There are no herbal treatments recommended however, the reduction of caffeine, quitting smoking, getting enough rest and reducing stress are all believed to be helpful with these conditions.

ANTICOAGULANTS

When receiving anticoagulants, there are four areas of education that should be addressed with the patient and the patient's family.

Anticoagulants are powerful medications that can have life saving results, however, they also have several important issues that should be addressed with the patient and their family. The first area of education that the family needs to be aware of is the instruction to tell all medical doctors, dentists and pharmacists that they are on that medication. The medication has other medications that it cannot be mixed with. In addition before surgery or dental work is performed precautions must be taken so that the patient does not hemorrhage (Precautions While Using This Medicine http://www.healthopedia.com/drugs/detailed/anticoagulants/precautions.html#).

The second thing that must be addressed is to tell the doctor before taking any over the counter medications as they can create the same problems as above.

It is important that patient carry identification letting others know that they are on the medications in the event of accidents or sudden illness. This is vital because medical personnel could administer something that causes life threatening symptoms if taken with an anticoagulant.

The final educational area that needs to be covered are the changes that must take place in the daily life of the patient. The patient must be careful not to cut himself or herself, In addition the patient must be careful not to take part in activities that might cause injury as injury can cause the patient to hemorrhage.

GI PROBLEMS

Three common GI problems include heartburn, ulcers and irritable bowel syndrome. Each of these conditions can cause stomach upset. Heartburn can be treated with over the counter medications, including Zantac. Ulcers require a specific antibiotic and a stomach acid reducer and IBS is often treated with stomach acid reducers. In addition all three conditions respond favorably to changes in diet.

The medications for heartburn can be purchased over the counter, as can Zantac which will assist with ulcer symptoms however the antibiotics for ulcers must be prescribed by a medical professional.

If asked to give advice about medications I would say to never start new ones or take over the counter medications with prescribed ones without checking first with the doctor.

A diuretic - Lasix, Lasix is primarily used to reduce water retention for high blood pressure symptoms. It should be taken at the same time each day, patient should avoid dehydration, patient should tell the doctor before mixing this drug with others and it should be taken in the morning.