bind to opioid of pain before receptors. and periodically during therapy. May cause increase creatine kinase levels and decrease in platelet counts Polyethylene glycol Laxatives, osmotic PO 17 g Abdominal Assess patient (Miralax) OTC (heaping bloating, for abdominal powder Polyethylene glycol tablespoon) in cramping, distention, in solution acts as 8 oz of water; flatulence, presence of an osmotic agent, may be used nausea. sounds, and drawing water into for up to 2 usual pattern of the lumen of the GI weeks. bowel function. tract. Assess color, consistency, and amount of stool produced. Docusate sodium Laxatives, Stool 50-400 mg in Throat Assess for (Surfak) OTC 240 softeners 1-4 divided irritation, mild abdominal mg capsule PO once doses. cramps, distention, a day Promotes diarrhea, presence of incorporation of rashes. bowel sounds, water into stool, and usual resulting in softer pattern of bowel fecal mass. function. May also promote Assess color, electrolyte and consistency, and water secretion into amount of stool the colon. produced. Levothyroxine Hormones, thyroid 50 mcg as a Insomnia, Assess apical (Synthroid) 75 mcg preparations single dose irritability, and blood tab q am initially, may angina pectoris, pressure prior to Replacement of be increased q arrhythmias, and periodically supplementation to 2-3 weeks by tachycardia, during therapy. endogenous thyroid 25/mcg/day. abdominal hormones. Usually cramps, Assess for maintenance diarrhea, tachycardia and dose is vomiting, pain. mcg/day sweating,
bind to opioid receptors. of pain before and periodically during therapy. May cause increase creatine kinase levels and decrease in platelet counts Polyethylene glycol (Miralax) OTC powder Laxatives, osmotic Polyethylene glycol in solution acts as an osmotic agent, drawing water into the lumen of the GI tract. PO 17 g (heaping tablespoon) in 8 oz of water; may be used for up to 2 weeks. Abdominal bloating, cramping, flatulence, nausea. Assess patient for abdominal distention, presence of sounds, and usual pattern of bowel function. Assess color, consistency, and amount of stool produced. Docusate sodium (Surfak) OTC 240 mg capsule PO once a day Laxatives, Stool softeners Promotes incorporation of water into stool, resulting in softer fecal mass. May also promote electrolyte and water secretion into the colon. 50-400 mg in 1-4 divided doses. Throat irritation, mild cramps, diarrhea, rashes. Assess for abdominal distention, presence of bowel sounds, and usual pattern of bowel function. Assess color, consistency, and amount of stool produced. Levothyroxine (Synthroid) 75 mcg tab q am Hormones, thyroid preparations Replacement of supplementation to endogenous thyroid hormones. 50 mcg as a single dose initially, may be increased q 2-3 weeks by 25/mcg/day. Usually maintenance dose is mcg/day Insomnia, irritability, angina pectoris, arrhythmias, tachycardia, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, vomiting, sweating, Assess apical and blood pressure prior to and periodically during therapy. Assess for tachycardia and pain.