McKenna's Pharmacology for Nursing, 2e

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C H A P T E R 5 4 Drugs acting on the upper respiratory tract

TABLE 54.3

DRUGS IN FOCUS Antihistamines (continued)

Drug name

Dosage/route

Usual indications

First-generation (continued) dimenhydrinate (Dimentabs, others)

Adult and paediatric (>12 years): 50–100 mg PO q 4–6 hours or 50 mg IM as needed Paediatric: <2 years: 1.25 mg/kg IM q.i.d. 2–6 years: 25 mg PO q 6–8 hours 6–12 years: 25–50 mg PO q 6–8 hours Adult: 25–50 mg PO q 4–6 hours or 10–50 mg IM or IV Paediatric: 12.5–25 mg PO t.d.s. to q.i.d. or 5 mg/kg per day IM or IV Use caution with geriatric people

Relief of nausea and vomiting associated with motion sickness

Relief of symptoms of seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis, uncomplicated urticaria, and angio-oedema; amelioration of allergic reactions; relief of discomfort associated with dermographism; also used as adjunctive therapy in anaphylactic reactions, as a sleeping aid, and for parkinsonism Relief of symptoms of seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis, uncomplicated urticaria, and angio-oedema; amelioration of allergic reactions; relief of discomfort associated with dermographism; used as adjunctive therapy in anaphylactic reactions; also used for sedation Relief of symptoms of seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis and conditions of the respiratory tract where increased secretions are present. Relief of symptoms of seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis, uncomplicated urticaria, and angio-oedema; ameliorates allergic reactions; relief of discomfort associated with dermographism; used as adjunctive therapy in anaphylactic reactions; also used for sedation Relief of symptoms of seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis Relief of symptoms of seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis; management of chronic urticaria

diphenhydramine (Benadryl, others)

hydroxyzine (Vistaril, others)

Adult: 25–100 mg PO t.d.s. to q.i.d. or 25–100 mg IM q 4–6 hours Paediatric (>6 years): 50–100 mg/day PO in divided doses <6 years: 50 mg/day PO in divided doses or 1.1 mg/kg per dose IM

pheniramine (Avil)

Adult: Half of 45.3 mg tablet PO up to t.d.s. increased to one tablet t.d.s. if necessary Paediatric (5–10 years): Half of 45.3 mg tablet PO up to t.d.s.

promethazine (Phenergan, Avomine)

Adult: 25–50 mg PO, PR, IM or IV Paediatric: 6.25–25 mg PO or PR

Second-generation (non-sedating) azelastine (Azep)

One spray per nostril b.d.

cetirizine (Zyrtec, Alzene)

Adult and paediatric (>12 years): 5–10 mg/ day PO; use 5 mg/day with hepatic or renal impairment Paediatric: 6–11 years: 5 or 10 mg/day PO 6 months–5 years: 2.5 mg PO q 12 hours or 5 mg/day PO Adult and paediatric (>12 years): 5 mg/day PO Paediatric: 6–11 years: 1 tsp, 2.5 mg/5 mL per day PO 12 months–5 years: 1/2 tsp, 1.25 mg/2.5 mL per day PO 6–11 mths: 1 mg/day PO Hepatic or renal impairment: 5 mg PO every other day Adult and paediatric (>12 years): 60 mg PO b.d. Paediatric (6–11 years): 30 mg PO b.d. Geriatric or renal-impaired person: 60 mg PO every day

desloratadine (Aerius,Claramax)

Relief of symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis, chronic idiopathic urticaria

fexofenadine (Telfast)

Relief of symptoms of seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis

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