As a Registered Nurse with work experience in the emergency room/department, surgical intensive care unit, cardiac telemetry unit and medical surgical unit, it is known that medications can help treat patients but they also can have adverse effects. Sometimes these adverse effects can be detrimental or harmful to a patient’s health.
1) Did you know taking Tylenol (acetaminophen) in high doses can cause liver (hepatic) toxicity leading to liver failure?
2) Did you know that taking Naprosyn (naproxen) in high doses or long term could cause kidney (renal) failure?
3) Ambien (zolpidem) is one of the most common drugs prescribed for insomnia. Are you aware that Ambien can cause abnormal thinking and behavioral changes including inhibition, aggression, agitation, depersonalization, bizarre behavior, hallucinations, amnesia, sleep walking and worsening depression? All of these symptoms are noted by the Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) and could be dangerous or lethal to patients.
4) If the patient is already on a depressant drug, then being prescribed other medications can concomitantly cause an exacerbated adverse drug reaction.
5) Zithromax (azithromycin) or Zmax also known as Z Pak is another commonly prescribed antibiotic for upper respiratory infections as well as other infections. The FDA has issued a safety warning that azithromycin may cause prolonged cardiac repolarization and QT interval. This could increase the risk of cardiac arrhythmia and torsades de pointes. Patients with past medical history of cardiac issues are at higher risk if they’re prescribed this drug.
After reading the above facts, think about how the prescription of any of these medications will affect your next case. Or maybe you currently have a case where these medications have been prescribed for your client; would you have done anything differently? We can advise you on how to handle the case so that you will reap the most benefits in a cost effective way.
Call us today at 917-407-5522 for a free consultation. RISK-FREE GUARANTEE.
Julia Sze RN, MS, CLNC
Julia Sze and Associates, LLC
