Absorption

·      Movement of drug into the bloodstream

·      RATE determines how rapidly drug effects begin

·      AMOUNT determines intensity of effect

·      IV - instant, complete

·      IM, SC - rapid, capillary wall barrier

·      Oral - variable, GI epithelial cells, capillary wall barriers

Plasma Drug Levels

·      Minimum Effective Concentration (MEC) is the level below which therapeutic effects will not occur

·      Toxic Concentration (TC) is the level where toxic effects begin to appear

·      Therapeutic Range is the level between the MEC and TC

Distribution

·      Movement of drug into cells

Metabolism

·      Enzymatic action on the drug, primarily hepatic

Excretion

·      Primarily through urine but also bile, sweat, saliva, breast milk, exhalation

Half Life

·      Time required for drug concentration to decrease by 50 per cent.

Name

Administration

Action

Pharmacokinetics

Side Effects

G- Diltiazem

T- Cardiazem

R- Oral, IV

D- 180-360 mg tid

     10/ml /hr IV

Calcium channel blocker, reduces cardiac work

A-30 - 60 min

H-3.5 - 6 hours

Dizziness, headache, fatigue, nausea, edema, flushing, NP

G- Nifedipine

T- Procardia,  Adalat

R- Oral, SR

D- 10 - 20 mg tid

Calcium channel blocker

A-20 mins

H-2 - 5 hrs

Sleep disturbances, edema, angina, pruritis, NP

G- Nitroglycerin

T- Nitroglycerin

R- SL, IV, Topical

D- SL - 1 tab prn

Nitrate

A-1 - 3 mins

H- 47 - 100 hrs

Headache, apprehension, vertigo, hypotension, rash

G- Verapamil

T- Isoptin, Calan

R- Oral, IV

D-320-480 mg / d

    - 5-10 mg IV

Calcium channel blocker

A-30 min

H-3 - 7 hrs

Dizziness, nausea, edema, hypotension, arrhythmias, NP

Name

Administration

Action

Pharmacokinetics

Side Effects

G - Chlorothiazide

T - Diuril

R - PO, IV

D - 0.5 - 2 g bid or qid

Sodium and chloride inhibitor

A- 15 - 120 min

H- 45 - 120 min

Vomiting, polyuria, impotence, photosensitivity, hives, gouty attacks. NP

G - Furosemide

T - Lasix

R - PO, IM, IV

D - 50 - 100 mg q 4 - 6 hrs

Loop high action

A- 5 - 60 mins

H- 120 mins

Paresthesias xanthopsia, NP, vomiting, thrombophlebitis, leukopenia, electrolyte loss.