Cafergot

You routinely administer combination drugs.... but do you know what's in them? To find out, match each combination of ingredients in Section II with its correct name in Section I.

SECTION I

_____ 1. Cafergot (Novartis)

_____ 2. Septra DS (Monarch)

_____ 3. Visine-A (Pfizer)

_____ 4. Clorpres (Bertek)

_____ 5. Advair Diskus (GlaxoSmithKline)

SECTION II

a. clonidine HC1, 0.1 mg, 0.2 mg, 0.3 mg; chlorthalidone, 15 mg

This combination prescribed to control hypertension, contains clonidine, an alpha^sub 2^-adrenergic agonist, and chlorthalidone, a thiazide-like diuretic. Advise your patient to get up slowly to minimize dizziness from orthostatic hypotension and take this drug in the morning to avoid frequent nighttime urination.

b. trimethoprim, 160 mg; sulfamethoxazole, 800 mg

Prescribed to treat infections such as urinary trac infection, this combination contains trimethoprim, an anti-infective that suppresses bacterial growth, and sulfamethoxazole, an antibiotic. Tell your patient to wear sunscreen and reduce her exposure to sunshine because sulfonamides can cause severe photosensitivity reactions.

c. ergotamine tartrate, 1 mg; caffeine, 100 mg

This tablet is used to abort or prevent a migraine headache. Both ergotamine and caffeine constrict dilated cranial blood vessels to relieve symptoms such as pain, nausea and photophobia. Instruct your patient to take 2 tablets at the start of an attack and 1 additional tablet every half hour if needed, but no more than 6 tablets per attack, or 10 per week.

d. pheniramine maleate, 0.3%; naphazoline HCl, 0.025%

These nonprescription eyedrops relieve itching and redness due to allergies. Pheniramine is an antihistamine; naphazoline, a topical vasoconstrictor. Tell your patient not to use the solution if it changes color or becomes cloudy, and to remove contact lenses before applying the drops.

e. fluticasone propionate, 100 mcg, 250 mcg, 500 mcg; salmeterol xinafoate salt, 72.5 mcg, equivalent to salmeterol base 50 mcg

This orally inhaled combination is used as maintenance therapy tot asthma. Fluticasone is a corticosteroid; salmeterol xinafoate is a selective beta^sub 2^-adrenergic bronchodilator. Warn your patient that this product won't relieve acute bronchospasm.

BY MARCY PORTNOFF GEVER, PHARMD, MED

Marcy Portnoff Gever is an independent pharmacist consultant and educator in Ringoes, N.J.

Copyright Springhouse Corporation Dec 2004
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