Medication Side Effects

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Medication Side Effects
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MEDICATION SIDE EFFECTS

• All medications can cause side effects
• Contributing factors
• Age
• Weight
• Sex
• Overall health
• Ethnicity
• Severity of disease

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Medication Side Effects

• Side Effect an undesirable secondary effect of
  a drug or other form of medical treatment
• Minimal to serious and harmful
• New medication
• Change in dosage
• Stops using medication
• Team Member
• Seek medical help
• Document the side effect and medical intervention
  and file Incident Report

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COMMON MEDICATION SIDE EFFECTS

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Fatigue
• Dizziness
• Dry Mouth
• Headache
• Itching
• Muscle Aches and Pains

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NEED FOR MEDICAL ATTENTION

• Abdominal Pain
• Blurred Vision
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Dizziness
• Headaches
• Loss of Appetite
• Memory Loss

• Heart Palpitations
• Coordination Problems
• Ringing in the Ears
• Skin Rashes or Hives
• Swelling of Hands or Feet
• Loss of Consciousness or Fainting

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APPROPRIATE RESPONSE TO OBSERVED SIDE EFFECTS

• Previously unobserved side effect the persons
  physician should be contacted immediately.
• Medication should NEVER be discontinued without
  approval from the persons physician.
• If the side effect appears to be serious call the
  nurse and physician and then get the person to
  the emergency room as quickly as possible.

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COMMON MEDICATIONS FOR PERSONS WITH INTELLECTUAL
DISABILITIES

• Intellectually Disabled have greater incidences
• Epilepsy or other seizure disorders
• Mental illness
• Behavior disorders
• Anti-Seizure Medications
• Psychotropic or Antipsychotic Medications

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ANTI-SEIZURE MEDICATIONS AND THEIR SIDE EFFECTS
BRAND NAME(generic name) SIDE EFFECTS
ATIVAN(lorazepam) Dizziness, drowsiness, blurred or double vision, nausea, skin rashes, abnormal blood counts (rare)
DEPAKENE(valproate) Upset stomach, altered bleeding time, liver toxicity, hair loss, weight gain, tremor
DEPAKOTE(divalproex sodium) Upset stomach, altered bleeding time, liver toxicity, hair loss, weight gain, tremor
DIAMOX(acetazolamide) Appetite loss, frequent urination, drowsiness, confusion, extremity numbness, kidney stones
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KEPPRA(levetiracetam) Sleepiness, fatigue, poor coordination, loss of strength, dizziness
KLONOPIN(clonazepam) Drowsiness, sleepiness, fatigue, poor coordination, unsteadiness, behavior changes
LAMICTAL(lamotrigine) Dizziness, headache, blurred vision, clumsiness, sleepiness, nausea, skin rash
MYSOLINE(primidone) Clumsiness, dizziness, appetite loss, fatigue, drowsiness, hyperirritability, insomnia, depression, hyperactivity
NEURONTIN(gabapentin) Sleepiness, dizziness, clumsiness, fatigue, twitching
PHENOBARBITAL(phenobarbital) Drowsiness, irritability, hyperactivity (children), behavioral problems, difficulty concentrating, depression
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PHENYTEK(extended phenytoin sodium) Clumsiness, insomnia, motor twitching, nausea, rash, gum overgrowth, hairiness
TEGRETOL(carbamazepine) Dizziness, drowsiness, blurred or double vision, nausea, skin rashes, abnormal blood counts (rare)
TEGRETOL XR(extended release carbamazepine) Dizziness, drowsiness, blurred or double vision, nausea, skin rashes, abnormal blood counts (rare)
TOPAMAX(topiramate) Confusion, sleepiness, dizziness, clumsiness, difficulty thinking or talking, tingling sensation of the skin, nausea, decreased appetite
TRANXENE(clorazepate) Drowsiness, sleepiness, fatigue, poor coordination, unsteadiness, behavior change
TRILEPTAL(oxcarbazepine) Difficulty concentrating, sleepiness, fatigue, dizziness, double vision, nausea, unsteadiness, rash
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ZARONTIN(ethosuximide) Appetite loss, nausea, drowsiness, headache, dizziness, fatigue, rash, abnormal blood counts (rare)
ZONEGRAN(zonisamide) Sleepiness, dizziness, loss of appetite, headache, nausea, irritability, difficulty concentrating, unsteadiness, fever, kidney stones, rash
NOTE It is not necessary to memorize this or any
chart in the training. It is, however, necessary
to have this and other information on medication
side effects readily available when working with
persons with intellectual disabilities who may
not be able to tell you that they are having
these effects. The team member must recognize the
side effects and respond appropriately.
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EXTRAPYRAMIDAL SIDE EFFECTS OF ANTI-PSYCHOTIC
MEDICATIONS

• Improper dosing
• Unusual reactions to neuroleptic medications
• Physical Symptoms
• Tremor
• Slurred speech
• Akathisia
• restlessness in body and muscles,
• move constantly

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EXTRAPYRAMIDAL SIDE EFFECTS OF ANTI-PSYCHOTIC
MEDICATIONS (2)

• Dystonia
• handwriting deterioration,
• foot cramps or foot pulls up or drags
• Neck turns or pulls involuntarily
• Rapid, uncontrolled blinking
• Paranoia
• Anxiety or fear
• Irrationality
• Delusion
• Bradyphrenia - Slow thought process

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More Typical Side Effects of Anti-Psychotic
Medications

• Aggression
• Agitation
• Anger
• Depression
• Hostility
• Hyperactivity
• Irritability
• Destruction of Property

• Self-injurious behavior
• Socially inappropriate behavior
• Temper Tantrums
• Difficulties concentrating
• Confusion
• Sedation
• Motor Uncoordination

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More Typical Side Effects of Anti-Psychotic
Medications

• Deterioration of teeth
• Neuroleptic malignant syndrome a sudden
  increase in temperature to dangerous levels
• Dysphoria disquiet restlessness a vague sense
  of mental or moral ill-being
• Impotence
• Tardive Dyskinesia jerky, abnormal or delayed
  movements in the face head trunk or
  extremities, such as rapid eye blinking or
  repetitive lip sucking, rocking, or twisting
• Lethargy
• Intense dreams or nightmares

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COMMON SIDE EFFECTS OF MORE TYPICAL TYPES OF
MEDICATION
Types of Medications causing potential side effects Potential Side Effects
Pain relievers anti inflammatory agents (such as Ibuprofen) muscle relaxants and sedatives Agitation
Weight control antidepressants cholesterol reducers cold/cough medicines decongestants and tranquilizers Anxiety
Pain relievers, angina relief arrhythmia control anticonvulsants antidepressants antihistamines anti-hypertension anti-inflammatory agents cold/cough medicines steroids decongestants diuretics muscle relaxants sedatives tranquilizers Confusion
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Anti-depressants Concentration Problems
Arrhythmia Control Antidepressants Delirium
Angina relief arrhythmia control anticonvulsants anti-inflammatory agents migraine relief cancer treatments diuretics hormones muscle relaxants birth control sedatives and tranquilizers Depression
Pain relievers antidepressants migraine relief nausea relief cancer treatments Sedatives and tranquilizers Disorientation
Anticonvulsants (anti-seizure) and most recreational drugs Emotional Disturbances
Cold/cough medicines and tranquilizers Giddiness
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Arrhythmia control antihistamines anti-itching drugs cold/cough medicines decongestants muscle relaxants and tranquilizers Excitability
Pain relievers weight control antidepressants antihistamines migraine relief anti-itching drugs cold/cough medicines steroids decongestants and tranquilizers Euphoria (a sense of emotional well-being)
Pain relievers antidepressants anti-inflammatory agents cold/cough medicines decongestants sedatives and tranquilizers Hallucinations
Tranquilizers Hyperactivity
Antihistamines and anti-itching drugs Hysteria
Anti-hypertension diuretics tranquilizers Impotence
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Arrhythmia control antidepressants antihistamines anti-hypertension anti-inflammatory agents migraine relief nausea relief anti-itching drugs antispasmodics bronchodilators cholesterol reducers cold/cough medicines decongestants muscle relaxants sedatives and thyroid drugs Insomnia
Anticonvulsants antihistamines bronchodilators cold/cough medicines decongestants Irritability
Anti-inflammatory agents cancer treatments and tranquilizers Lethargy
Weight control drugs Overstimulation
Anticonvulsants antihistamines anti-hypertension nausea relief anti-itching drugs antispasmodics bronchodilators cholesterol reducers cold/cough medicines decongestants diuretics oral contraceptives/birth control sedatives thyroid medicines tranquilizers and vasodilators Nervousness
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Antidepressants nausea relief sedatives and tranquilizers Nightmares
Cancer treatments estrogens (hormones) and oral contraceptives Pre-menstrual symptoms
Anti-nausea medicines and tranquilizers as well as allergies to drugs Psychotic symptoms
Pain relievers weight control angina relief anti-hypertension nausea relief bronchodilators cold/cough drugs decongestants diuretics tranquilizers and vasodilators Restlessness
Anti-Itch medicines and cold/cough medicines Weariness
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SOURCES FOR RESEARCH ABOUT SIDE EFFECTS

• Physicians Desk Reference (PDR) Physician Drug
  and Health Information
• PDR.NET website for professional medical
  information
• MedlinePlus offers patient-friendly information
  on medications and herbs medlineplus.gov
• RXList provides information on medications and
  side effects www.rxlist.com
• PDR Health Prescription Drug and Health
  Information www.pdrhealth.net