Adverse Drug Effects

This practical guide to pharmacology is unusual in its approach. Instead of examining the normal effects of drugs this book looks at the adverse effects. With the advent of nurse prescribing it is essential that nurses are familiar with the common adverse effects, how to recognise them and how to deal with them. The book is divided into three sections. The first examines the pharmacology of drugs i.e. what the body does to drugs (pharmocokinetics), what the drugs do to the body (pharmocodynamics), and how adverse reactions can result from these two processes. Section two looks at putting the scientific knowledge into action through an examination of nurse administration and prescribing, drug development and the issue of patient compliance and empowerment. Section three consists of twelve case studies which describe various scenarios in which there have been adverse drug effects. Throughout the book concepts are explained using examples so that the nurse can relate the concept of adverse effect to the drugs she is familiar with.

This practical guide to pharmacology is unusual in its approach. Instead of examining the normal effects of drugs this book looks at the adverse effects. With the advent of nurse prescribing it is essential that nurses are familiar with the common adverse effects, how to recognise them and how to deal with them. The book is divided into three sections. The first examines the pharmacology of drugs i.e. what the body does to drugs (pharmocokinetics), what the drugs do to the body (pharmocodynamics), and how adverse reactions can result from these two processes. Section two looks at putting the scientific knowledge into action through an examination of nurse administration and prescribing, drug development and the issue of patient compliance and empowerment. Section three consists of twelve case studies which describe various scenarios in which there have been adverse drug effects. Throughout the book concepts are explained using examples so that the nurse can relate the concept of adverse effect to the drugs she is familiar with.

Preface ixIntroduction xiPART 1 THE SCIENCE OF ADVERSE DRUG EFFECTSChapter 1 Pharmacokinetic effects - absorption and distribution 3Chapter 2 Pharmacokinetic effects - metabolism and excretion 24Chapter 3 Pharmacodynamics and receptors 37Chapter 4 Pharmacodynamics, enzymes, ion channels and carriers 44Chapter 5 Idiosyncratic effects and drug allergy 52Chapter 6 Client groups 67Chapter 7 Gastro-intestinal and hepatic effects 90Chapter 8 Renal effects 111Chapter 9 Cardiovascular and respiratory effects 128Chapter 10 Neurological, sensory and endocrine effects 150Chapter 11 Psychological effects 172Chapter 12 Effects on the skin and musculoskeletal system 186Chapter 13 Effects on the reproductive system and sexuality 202Chapter 14 Drug resistance 215PART 2 THE ART OF ADVERSE DRUG EFFECTSChapter 15 Nurse administration and prescribing 227Chapter 16 Ethics of drug development and testing 241Chapter 17 Compliance, patient education and empowerment 252Chapter 18 Complementary therapy -- Debrae Ward-Walsh 268PART 3 THE PRACTICE -- 12 CASE STUDIESChapter 19 Assessment issues 287Chapter 20 Drug interactions 297Chapter 21 Drug misuse 310Chapter 22 Empowerment 323Abbreviations and Glossary 336Index 341