Medication and the side effects
Almost all of people with disabilities are prescribed multiple medications. Here are the most common medications used for treatments and the side effects that parents should be aware of.
COMMON MEDCATIONS | ||
DISABILITY/MEDICATION | USE | SIDE EFFECTS |
| SPINAL CORD INJURY (Spina Bifida) | ||
| Bladder (UTI): Antibacterial | ||
| Bactrim | Antibacterial | Skin rash, Sore throat, Fever, Shortness of breath |
| Septra (Sula drug) | Antibacterial | Nausea, Vomiting, Headache, Dizziness, Allergic reaction |
| Macrodantin | Antibacterial | Nausea, Vomiting, Diarrhea, Dizziness, Malaise |
| Furdantin | Antibacterial | Nausea, Vomiting, Diarrhea, Dizziness, Malaise |
| Bladder (Spasms): Anticholinergics | ||
| Urecholine | Treats urinary retention by contracting the bladder | Dizziness, Lightheadedness, Fainting may occur |
| Ditropan | Antispasmodic | Blurred vision, Drowsiness, Nausea, Dry mouth |
| Daricon | Antispasmodic | Urinary retention, Blurred vision, Loss of taste, Headache, Drowsiness, Constipation, Nausea |
| BLIND (Diabetes) | ||
| Pancreas | ||
| NPH Insulin | Long-lasting, peaks in 12 hours, stabilizes blood sugar level throughout the day | |
| Insulin (Regular) | Fast-acting, peaks in ½ hour (i.e., if blood sugar is very high take regular insulin) | |
| Diabinese | Blood-glucose-lowering drug: situluates release of insulin from pancreas | Jaundice, Nausea, Diarrhea, Vomiting, Anorexia, Hunger, Photosensitivity |
| CVA (Cardio Vascular Accident), STROKE, HEMPILEGIA | ||
| Anticoagulants | ||
| Coumadin | Prevents clotting of the blood given for leg clots, lung clots | Minor/major hemorrhages from an organ or tissue, Dermatitis, Fever, Nausea, Diarrhea |
| Heparin | Anticoagulen, prevents embolisms | Could cause hemorrhage at any site |
| EPILEPSY (Can follow head trauma) | ||
| Gran Mal/Petit Mal | ||
| Dilantin | Prevent seizures | Slurred speech, Mental confusion, Dizziness, Insomnia, Headache, Vomiting, Gum enlargement, Nausea, Increased body hair, Decreased coordination |
| Phenobarbitol | Prevent seizures | Sleepiness |
| Tegretol | Prevent seizures | Slurred speech, mental confusion, insomnia, Headache, Nausea, Vomiting, Gum enlargement, Decreased coordination |
| Clonopin | Prevent seizures (rare) | Drowsiness, Headache |
| Depakane | Prevent seizures | Nausea, Vomiting, Sleepiness |
| Depakote (Valproic acid) | Antiepileptic, Prevent seizures | Hepatic failure may result; Nausea, Vomiting, Indigestion, Hallucination, Dizziness, Incoordination, Photosensitivity, Hyperactivity |
| PSYCHIATRIC, NERVOUS DISORDER | ||
| Major Tranquilizers | ||
| Thorazine | Severe agitation, powerful drug used only for specific situations | Many |
| Haldol | Severe agitation, powerful drug used only for specific situations | Many |
| Major Tranquilizers | ||
| Valium | Reduction of nervous tension and agitation | Drowsiness, Decreased coordination, Dangerous to mix with alcohol |
| Librium | Reduction of nervous tension and agitation | Drowsiness, Decreased coordination, Dangerous to mix with alcohol |
| Tranzene | Reduction of nervous tension and agitation | Drowsiness, Decreased coordination, Dangerous to mix with alcohol |
| ANALGESICS | ||
| Narcotics | Pain relief | Potential for addiction |
| Codeine | Pain relief | Constipation, Depression of cough reflex, addiction |
| Demerol | Pain relief | Constipation, Depression of cough reflect, addiction |
| ANTIEMETIC | ||
| Compazine | Control nausea and vomiting | Drowsiness, Abnormal movements |
| Phenergan | Prevention and control of nausea and vomiting | Drowsiness, Dizziness, Dryness of the mouth, Blurring of the vision |
| Vistaril | Control of Nausea and vomiting | Drowsiness, Dryness of the mouth |
| ANTIBIOTICS | ||
| Ampicillin | Treat infections | Diarrhea, Nausea, Vomiting, Skin rashes |
| Penicillin | Treat infections | Diarrhea, Nausea, Vomiting, Skin rashes |
| Oxacillin | Treat infections | Diarrhea, Nausea, Vomiting, Skin rashes |
| Keflex | Treat infections | Headache, Malaise, Dizziness, Nausea, Vomiting, Abdominal pain, Allergic in the form of a rash |
| Ancef | Treat infections | Headache, Malaise, Dizziness, Nausea, Vomiting, Abdominal pain, Allergic in the form of a rash |
| Tetracycline | Treat infections | Headache, Malaise, Dizziness, Nausea, Vomiting, Abdominal pain, Allergic in the form of a rash |
| Gentamycin | Treat serious infections | |
| Tobramycin | Treat serious infections | |
| ANTI-INFLAMMATORY | ||
| Decadron | Potent anti-inflammatory effects in disorders of many organ systems | Fluid retention, Potassium loss, Muscle weakness, Ulcers, Abdominal Distention, Menstrual irregularities, Suppression of growth in children |
| ANTISPASMODIC | ||
| Dantrium | Relief of muscle spasms | Drowsiness, Dizziness, Fatigue, Diarrhea, Liver injury rarely |
| Lioresal | Relief of muscle spasms | Drowsiness, Dizziness, Weakness, Fatigue |
| Valium | Relief of muscle spasms | Drowsiness, Fatigue |
| HYPERTENSIVE | ||
| Aldactazide | Diuretic medication | Dryness of the mouth, Weakness, Lethargy, Drowsiness, Muscle cramps, hypotension, Grastrointestinal symptoms |
| Apresoline | Reduction of high blood pressure | Continued malaise, chest pain, Headache, Nausea, Vomiting, Diarrhea, Changes in the blood pressure |
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