Quick Reference Guide to a Drug Monograph
1. GENERIC NAME OF DRUG: One or more icons may be found here: black box (side effects warning), camera (photo), ear (sound-alike drug).
2. PHONETIC PRONUNCIATION of the generic name.
3. CLASSIFICATION: Defines the type of drug or the class under which the drug is listed.
4. PREGNANCY CATEGORY: Assigned by the FDA. Defined in Appendix 6.
5. TRADE NAMES: names by which a drug is marketed. If numerous forms of the drug are available, the trade names are identified by form. Rx denotes prescription drugs. OTC denotes over-the-counter, nonprescription drugs CANADIAN trade names are indicated by a maple leaf.
6. CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES: If the drug is controlled by the U. S. Federal Controlled Substances Act, the schedule in which the drug is placed follows the trade name listing. Controlled substance schedules are placed after Rx drugs. (ex: C-II) (See Appendix 5.) CROSS REFERENCE (for selected drugs): "See also:" directs the reader to the classification entry in Chapter 2 or to other parts of Chapter 1 that give a complete profile of the drug.
7. APPROVED THERAPEUTIC USES: Some investigational uses are also listed for selected drugs.
8. ACTION/KINETICS: Critical information about the rate of drug absorption, distribution, time for peak plasma levels or peak effect, minimum effective serum or plasma level, duration of action, metabolism, and excretion route(s). Metabolism and excretion routes may be important for clients with systemic liver disease, kidney disease, or both.
9. MAXIMUM PLASMA LEVELS: Achieved at therapeutic doses.
10. BIOLOGICAL HALF-LIFE: The time required for half the drug to be excreted or removed from the blood, serum, or plasma.
11. PLASMA PROTEIN BINDING: The extent to which a drug is bound to plasma protein, when applicable.
12. CONTRAINDICATIONS: Lists disease states or conditions in which the drug should not be used.
13. SPECIAL CONCERNS: When appropriate, the FDA Black Box Warning is included. Considerations for use with caution in pediatric, geriatric, pregnant, or lactating clients, and in unique situations or disease states.
14. SIDE EFFECTS: Listed by the body organ or system affected. Usually presented with the most common side effects first in descending order of incidence. If potentially life-threatening, the side effect is bold-italic.
15. LABORATORY TEST CONSIDERATIONS: The manner in which the drug may affect laboratory test values is presented as increased values (↑), false positive values (+) decreased values (↓) or false negative values (-). Also included, when available, are drug-induced changes in blood or urine levels of endogenous substances.
16. OVERDOSE MANAGEMENT: Symptoms observed following an overdose or toxic reaction and treatment approaches and/or antidotes for the overdose.
17. DRUG INTERACTIONS: Alphabetical listing of drugs and herbals that may interact with the drug. ↑ increase, ↓ decrease, → leading to.
18. HERBALS: Known or suspected drug interactions with herbal products.
19. HOW SUPPLIED: Dosage forms and amounts of the drug in each of the dosage forms. One dosage form may be more appropriate for a client than another. This information also allows the user to ensure the appropriate dosage form and strength is being administered.
20. DOSAGE: The dosage form and/or route of administration is followed by the disease state or condition (in italics) for which the dosage is recommended.
21. NURSING CONSIDERATIONS: Guidelines to help the practitioner in applying the nursing process to pharmacotherapeutics to ensure safe practice and patient safety.
22. SOUND ALIKE WARNINGS
23. ADMINISTRATION/STORAGE: Guidelines for preparing medications for administration, administering the medication, and proper storage and disposal of the medication.
24. GUIDELINES FOR ADMINISTRATION BY IV
25. ASSESSMENT: Guidelines for monitoring/assessing client before, during, and after prescribed drug therapy.
26. CLIENT/FAMILY TEACHING: Guidelines to promote education, active participation, understanding, and adherence to drug therapy by the client and/or family members. Precautions about drug therapy are also noted for communication to the client/family.
27. OUTCOMES/EVALUATE: Desired outcomes of the drug therapy and client response.
INTERVENTIONS (FOR SELECTED DRUGS): Guidelines for specific nursing actions related to the drug being administered.
Source: Spratto, George R., and Adrienne L. Woods. PDR Nurse's Drug Handbook: The Information Standard for Prescription Drugs and Nursing Considerations. 2007 ed. Clifton Park, NY: Thomson Delmar Learning, 2006. 1850 pp.