Clinician's Pocket Drug Reference 2008

Azithromycin 45Atropine, ophthalmic (Isopto Atropine, generic) Uses: *cycloplegicrefraction, uveitis, amblyopia * Action: Antimuscarinic; cycloplegic, dilatespupils Dose: Adults. Refraction: 1–2 gtt 1 h before; uveitis: 1–2 gtt daily-qid Peds.1 gtt in nonamblyotic eye daily Caution: [C, +] Contra: Glaucoma Disp: 15-mLbottle 1% ophthal soln SE: Local irritation, burning, blurred vision, light sensitivityNotes: Compress lacrimal sac 2–3 min after instillation; effects can last 1–2 weeksAtropine/pralidoxime (DuoDote) WARNING: For use by personnelwith appropriate training; wear protective garments; do not rely solely on medication;evacuation and decontamination as soon as possible Uses: *Nerve agent and insecticidepoisoning* Action: Atropine blocks effects of excess acetylcholine; pralidoximereactivates acetylcholinesterase inactivated by organophosphorus poisoning Dose: 1injection in midlateral thigh; if symptoms progress or are severe, give 2 additional injectionsCaution: [C, ?] Contra: Disp: Autoinjector 2.1 mg atropine/60 mg pralidoximeSE: Dry mouth, blurred vision, dry eyes, photophobia, confusion, HA,tachycardia, flushing, urinary retention, constipation, abd pain N, V, emesis. Notes:Severe sx of poisoning include confusion, dyspnea with copious secretions, weaknessand twitching, involuntary urination and defecation, convulsions, unconsciousnessAzathioprine (Imuran) WARNING: may ↑ neoplasia w/chronic use;mutagenic and hematologic toxicity possible Uses: *Adjunct to prevent renaltransplant rejection, RA,* SLE, Crohn Dz, ulcerative colitis Action: Immunosuppressive;antagonizes purine metabolism Dose: Adults & Peds. 1–3 mg/kg/d IV orPO; Crohn and ulcerative colitis, start 50 mg/d, ↑ 100–250 mg/d; ↓ w/renal insuffCaution: [D, ?] Contra: PRG Disp: Tabs 25, 50, 75, 100 mg; inj 100 mg powderfor recons. SE: GI intolerance, fever, chills, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia Notes:Handle inj w/ cytotoxic precautions; interaction w/ allopurinol; do not administerlive vaccines on drug; CBC and LFTs; dose per local transplant protocol, usuallystart 1–3 days pretransplantAzelastine (Astelin, Optivar) Uses: *Allergic rhinitis (rhinorrhea,sneezing, nasal pruritus); allergic conjunctivitis* Action: Histamine H 1 -receptorantagonist Dose: Nasal: 2 sprays/nostril bid. Ophth: 1 gtt into each affected eyebid Caution: [C, ?/–] Contra: Component sensitivity Disp: Nasal 137 mcg/spray;ophth soln 0.05% SE: Somnolence, bitter tasteAzithromycin (Zithromax) Uses: *Community-acquired pneumonia,pharyngitis, otitis media, skin Infxns, nongonococcal (chlamydial) urethritis, chancroid& PID; Rx & prevention of MAC in HIV* Action: Macrolide antibiotic; bacteriostatic;↓ protein synth. Spectrum: Chlamydia, H. ducreyi, H. influenzae,Legionella, M. catarrhalis, M. pneumoniae, M. hominis, N. gonorrhoeae, S. aureus,S. agalactiae, S. pneumoniae, S. pyogenes Dose: Adults. Resp tract Infxns:PO: Cap 500 mg day 1, then 250 mg/d PO × 4 days ; sinusitis 500 mg/d PO × 3days; IV: 500 mg × 2 days, then 500 mg PO × 7–10 days or 500 mg IV daily × 2days, then 500 mg/day PO X 7–10 days Nongonococcal urethritis: 1 g PO X1.Gonorrhea, uncomplicated 2 mg PO X1; Prevent MAC: 1200 mg PO once/wk.