Zestoretic

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. Zestoretic (AstraZeneca)

2. Hycotuss (Endo)

3. Extendryl (Fleming)

4. Peri-Colace (Shire US)

5. TobraDex (Alcon)

SECTION 11

a. casanthranol, 30 mg; docusate sodium, 100 mg

This over-the-counter combination helps relieve constipation. Casanthranol is a stimulant laxative; docusate sodium is a stool softener. Tell your patient to take it at bedtime for a bowel movement 8 to 12 hours later.

b. tobramycin, 0.3%; dexamethasone, 0.1%

Prescribed for eye infections with inflammation, this ointment contains tobramycin, an aminoglycoside antibiotic, and dexamethasone, a corticosteroid. Tell your patient to apply a thin strip inside her lower eyelid without touching the tip to anything, then to close her eyes and roll them around for a minute to distribute the ointment.

c. lisinopril, 10 or 20 mg; hydrochlorothiazide, 12.5 or 25 mg

This antihypertensive contains lisinopril, an angiotensinconverting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, and hydrochlorothiazide, a thiazide diuretic. It could cause orthostatic hypotension, so tell your patient to rise slowly when getting out of bed or a chair.

d. each 5 ml contains: hydrocodone bitartrate, 5 mg; guaifenesin, 100 mg

Indicated for a nonproductive cough, this syrup contains hydrocodone, an opioid antitussive, and guaifenesin, an expectorant. Tell the patient to drink a glass of water with each dose to help loosen phlegm. Warn him that the medication could cause dizziness or drowsiness.

e. chlorpheniramine maleate, 2 mg; phenylephrine HCI, 10 mg; methscopolamine nitrate, 1.25 mg

A child may receive these chewable tablets for relief of allergy symptoms. Chlorpheniramine is an antihistamine and phenylephrine is a decongestant; methscopolamine, an anticholinergic, dries mucous membranes. Tell the parents to monitor for adverse reactions such as constipation, drowsiness, increased irritability, or excitability and to report them to the primary care provider.

ANSWERS: 1c, 2d, 3e, 4a, 5b.

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

Copyright Springhouse Corporation Nov 2002
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