Rx Update: August 2005
Joan Murhammer, R.Ph., Mary Ross, R.Ph., M.B.A., Kevin Bebout,
R.Ph.
Peer Review Status: Internally Reviewed
The standard administration times for administering medications at UIHC have recently been updated and are included in the following table . Medications that have administration times that differ from the approved standard administration times based upon clinical or lab reasons include: systemic antimicrobials (antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals), chemotherapy and accompanying premeds, oral hypoglycemics, warfarin (2030), digoxin (1630 on cardiology Cardiology units ; 0830 other areas), IVIG, isosorbide mononitrate , insulin, and HMG Co-A reductase inhibitors ( " statins " ).
Schedule |
Administration Time |
q3hrs |
0300-0600-0900-1200-1500-1800-2100-2400 |
q4hrs |
0030-0430-0830-1230-1630-2030 |
q6hrs |
0030-0630-1230-1830 |
q8hrs |
0030-0830-1630 |
BID (ac) |
0730-1730 |
BID (pc) |
0830-1830 |
TID (ac) |
0730-1130-1730 |
TID (pc) |
0830-1230-1830 |
With meals |
0800-1200-1800 |
qhs (pediatrics) |
2030 |
qhs (adults) |
2130 |
daily |
0830 |
BID/q12h |
0830-2030 |
TID (respiratory care) |
0800-1400-2000 |
TID |
0830-1230-1630 |
QID |
0830-1230-1630-2030 |
Guidelines are available to aid in determining when to administer a dose whenever there has been a delay in administering medications in order to keep the administration times on the standard times. These decision guidelines can be found at:
http://www.healthcare.uiowa.edu/pharmacy/formulary/Form/drugadminguidelines.doc .
PROMETHAZINE CONTRAINDICATED IN CHILDREN UNDER 2 YEARS OLD
The FDA recently issued a warning that promethazine is contraindicated for use in pediatric patients less than 2 years of age because of the potential for fatal respiratory depression. Postmarketing cases of respiratory depression , including fatalities , have been reported with use of promethazine in pediatric patients less than two years of age. The reports of respiratory depression have been associated with a range of weight-based doses. Caution should also be exercised when administering promethazine to pediatric patients two years of age and older. It is recommended that the lowest effective dose of promethazine be used in pediatric patients 2 years of age and older and concomitant administration of other drugs with respiratory depressant effects be avoided.
Further information is available at the following FDA site: http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/SAFETY/2005/phenergan_deardoctorletter.pdf .