Question

subject Pharmacology

Active Learning Templates medication

Chapter--------

Medication Varenicline

Expected pharmacological action--------------

Therapeutic UIse----------------------

Complications------------------------------

Medication Administration-------------------------------

contraindications/ precautions---------------------------

interactions---------------------------

Nursing interventions----------------------------------------

Client education-----------------------------------------

evaluation of medication effectiveness---------------------------

Answer 1

VARNECLINE

Active Learning Templates medication

Chapter 24

Medication Varenicline

Varenicline, is a prescription medication used to treat nicotine addiction.it both reduces cravings for and decrease the pleasurable effects of cigarettes and other tobacco products thus helps to stop a person from smoking.It is otherwise called as Chantix

Expected Pharmacological action

• Varenicline is a nicotinic receptor agonist that promotes the release of dopamine to stimulate the pleasurable effects of nicotine or it works by blocking the pleasant effects nicotine on brain from smoking

Therapeutic use

• Varenicline is used to reduce cravings for nicotine as well as the severity of withdrawal manifestations
• Varenicline is also reduces the incidence of relapse by blocking the desired effects of nicotine

Complications:

a.less severe complcations

• Nusea
• Diarrhea
• gas
• abdominal pain
• Vomitting
• hart burn
• bad taste in the mouth
• dry mouth
• increased or decreasd appetite
• tooth ache
• trouble falling asleep or staying asleep
• unusual dreams or night mares
• headache
• lack of energy
• back,joint,or muscle pain
• abnormal menstrual cycles

b.Serious complications

• swelling of the face,lips,gums,eyes,neck,hand,arms,feet,ankles,lower legs
• hoarseness
• difficulty swallowing or breathing
• rash
• swollen,red,peeling or blistering skin
• blisters in the mouth
• pain,squeezing or pressure in the chest
• pain or discomfort in one or both arms,back,neck,jaw stomach
• shortness of breath
• sweating
• nausea,vomitting or lightheadedness with chest pain
• slow or difficult speech
• sudden weakness or numbness of an arm or leg especially on one side of the body
• calf pain while walking
• seizures
• sleep walking

Medication administration

• It should be taken orally after eating and with a full glass of water

The recommended dose is

Day 1-3	0.5mg once daily
Day4-7	0.5mg twice daily
Day8-end of treatment	1mg twice daily

Duration of therapy is 12 weeks.if treatment is successful,azn additional 12 weeks is recommended to increase the chance of long abstinence.

Contraindications/precautions

• it is contraindicated in patients with a known history of serious hypersensitivity reactions or skin reactions
• before taking the medication tell doctor regardingany medical history,especially of kidney,mood/mental disorders,heart or blood vessel disease
• This drug may make you dizzy,drowzy,lose consciousness,or make it difficulty to concentrate.Alcohol or marijuana can worsen these effects.Do not drive,use machinery,or do anything that needs alertness until you can do it safely
• This drug may also make moresensitive to alcohol.limit alcoholic beverages
• During pregnancy,this medication should be used only,when clearly needed
• it is unknown if this medication passes into breast milk.consult the doctor before breast feeding

Interactions

Administering varenicline with the nicotine patch may lead to additional adverse effects

Nursing interventions/client education

• Instructthe client to take medication after a meal
• monitor client blood pressure during treatment
• Assessthe client for diabetes mellitus
• Advise the clientto follow instructions for titration to minimize adverse effects
• Advise the client to notify the provider regarding if nausea,vomitting,insomnia,new-onset of depression, or suicidal thoughts occur
• Assess the client for chronic depression,serious mentalillness,suicidal ideation

Evaluation of medication effectiveness

• Assess for the withdrawal manifestations
• Reduce the symptoms of cravings for nicotine
• Abstinence from smoking