Category Anesthesia

Glucocorticoids

Uses Used to treat a wide range of illnesses including but not limited to autoimmune disorders, postop nausea and vomiting, and chronic pain Overview/Pharmacology Adrenal cortex produces and releases two different types of corticosteroids: Mineralocorticoids (maintain salt and fluid balance)…

Folic Acid

Uses Prevention of folic acid deficiency Treatment of megaloblastic anemia Experimental treatment for major depressive disorder Treatment of folic acid deficiency caused by anorexia, chronic use of oral contraceptive and some antiepileptic drugs, alcoholism, malabsorption diseases (e.g., sprue), bowel resection,…

Fluoxetine (Prozac)

Acknowledgment The author wishes to acknowledge the contribution of Dr. Donald D. Koblin to the previous edition of this chapter. Uses Fluoxetine, an SSRI, is one of the most commonly prescribed medications in USA. Prescribed for the treatment of depression,…

Epsilon-Aminocaproic Acid (Amicar)

Uses EACA is a hemostatic agent used in the treatment of hyperfibrinolysis associated with excessive bleeding. Indications: Fibrinolytic bleeding associated with surgical complications following heart surgery (with or without CPB) and portacaval shunt; surgical hematuria (following prostatectomy and nephrectomy) or…

Diuretics

Uses Prescribed for pts with Htn, CHF, elevated ICP, edema, hemoglobinuria, low intraop UO, hyperkalemia, volume overload, and rhabdomyolysis. Mannitol may function as a renal preservative by free radical scavenging and toxin dilution. Fenoldopam is a selective dopamine-1 agonist. As…

Dipyridamole

Uses Rx as adjunctive therapy for prophylaxis of thromboembolism with cardiac valve replacement. Used for secondary stroke prevention (often combined with aspirin). Used in stress tests to evaluate for presence of coronary artery disease. Perioperative Risks Headache Plt dysfunction Hemorrhage…

Digitalis (Digoxin)

Uses Treatment of CHF, atrial fibrillation, and flutter. Prevention of supraventricular arrhythmias following thoracotomy (controversial). Cardiac side effects: Arrhythmias and conduction disturbances. Noncardiac side effects: GI—anorexia, N/V, and abdominal pain; CNS—visual disturbances, headache, drowsiness, and confusion. Perioperative Risks Recent systematic…

Dabigatran

Uses Stroke prevention in nonvalvular AFIB Thromboembolism prophylaxis after total hip and knee replacement Treatment and prevention of DVT and PE not related to surgery Worry About Contraindicated in pts with creatinine clearance less than 30 mL Use with other…

Cromolyn Sodium

Uses Approved by the FDA in 1973 as the first prophylactic nonsteroidal drug available for treatment of chronic asthma. Alternative initial maintenance therapy for mild persistent and moderate persistent asthma. Preventative only; not effective during acute episodes of bronchospasm. Beneficial…

Colchicine

Uses Specifically indicated for treatment and relief of pain in acute attacks of gouty arthritis. Often effective in aborting an attack when taken at initial sign of discomfort. Not an analgesic and should not be used for other causes of…