Commonly Prescribed Medications
| MEDICATION | WHAT IT IS FOR | HOW YOU CAN HELP |
| ANTIMICROBIALS | Antimicrobials are medications that kill or slow the growth of microorganisms. They include antibiotics, antifungals and antiparasitics. | Report any changes you see such as fever or chills. These may be signs that the drug is not fighting off the person's infection.Allergies to antibiotics are fairly common. Be sure to report any rash, hives, shortness of breath or wheezing. |
| ANTIDIABETIC MEDICATIONS | Antidiabetic medications are drugs that treat the chronic disease known as diabetes. |
Watch for—and report—signs of high blood sugar (body aches, extreme thirst, frequent urination, fruity-smelling breath, drowsiness and coma).Watch for—and report—signs of low blood sugar (hunger, shakiness, sweating, sudden weakness, pale skin, anxiety and confusion). |
| CARDIAC MEDICATIONS | Cardiac medications help the heart function efficiently and effectively. | Check daily weights. Report any loss or gain of more than 3 pounds in one day. Watch for dizziness upon standing and guard against falls. Report any bleeding that does not stop after 10 minutes of applying direct pressure. |
| MENTAL HEALTH MEDICATIONS | Mental Health medications are used to treat the symptoms of mental disorders such as depression, bipolar disorder (sometimes called manic-depressive illness), anxiety disorders, and schizophrenia. | Encourage your clients to take their medications as ordered. If your clients aren’t taking their medications, tell your supervisor right away. |
| ASTHMA MEDICATIONS | Asthma medications are used to reduce inflammation in their airways and prevent asthma attacks. | Watch how your clients use their medications, especially inhalers. Let your supervisor know if you think they may be using them wrong. If you don’t know how inhalers should be used, ask your supervisor for a demonstration. |
COMMON SIDE EFFECTS
Some of the most common side effects for medications in general include:
Drowsiness—People who take sedatives, sleeping pills or antihistamines run an especially high risk of becoming drowsy.
Nausea & Vomiting—Medications that most commonly cause an upset stomach include pain relievers, antibiotics, hormones and cardiac drugs.
Dizziness—There are many drugs that can cause people to feel dizzy, especially those used to treat high blood pressure, nervous disorders and infections.
Headache—A wide range of medications list “headache” as one of the possible side effects.
Bowel Problems—People may suffer from diarrhea as a side effect of medication—from antibiotics, for example. Or, they may become constipated from taking a drug, such as a narcotic pain reliever.
Skin Rash—Another very common side effect, skin rashes are frequently seen as a side effect of antibiotics. Note: A skin rash may also be an allergic reaction to a medication.
The good news about medication side effects is that they tend to be temporary, often disappearing after a few days—once the body has become adjusted to the medication. However, if your clients complain that unpleasant side effects are continuing longer than a few weeks, let your supervisor know. There may be a different medication that would treat the client’s condition without the side effects.