Class Talk Fall 2016

Lithium (Lithobid) is a mood stabilizer that is the drug of choice for patients with bipolar disorder. Its mechanism of action is altering cation transport in nerve and muscle, and influencing the reuptake of neurotransmitters. renal excretion of lithium is highly dependent on serum sodium levels and this is because the kidneys process lithium and sodium in the same way.

Lithium can cause many adverse effects on the kidneys including polyuria, glycosuria, renal toxicity, chronic interstitial nephritis, and glomerulonephritis. Long-term lithium therapy should be avoided if possible, and the dosage should be kept as low as possible to reduce renal damage. Kidney function (BUN, serum creatinine, creatinine clearance, urinalysis) should be assessed before starting treatment and at least once a year after. Lithium is contraindicated in patients with severe renal disease.

Other nursing considerations for this drug is to be aware of lithium levels if the patient is taking a diuretic concurrently.  The nurse must monitor intake and output, and report any significant changes. Weight must be monitored every 3 months, and unless contraindicated, fluid intake should be about 2000 to 3000 mL a day. Important labs to monitor during therapy are renal and thyroid function, WBCs, serum electrolytes, adn glucose. It’s also really important to monitor lithium levels, making sure they stay in the therapeutic range, every 2 to 3 days during initial therapy and every 3 to 6 months during maintenance therapy.

Lithium (Lithobid) is a mood stabilizer that is the drug of choice for patients with bipolar disorder. Its mechanism of action is altering cation transport in nerve and muscle, and influencing the reuptake of neurotransmitters. renal excretion of lithium is highly dependent on serum sodium levels and this is because the kidneys process lithium and sodium in the same way.

Lithium can cause many adverse effects on the kidneys including polyuria, glycosuria, renal toxicity, chronic interstitial nephritis, and glomerulonephritis. Long-term lithium therapy should be avoided if possible, and the dosage should be kept as low as possible to reduce renal damage. Kidney function (BUN, serum creatinine, creatinine clearance, urinalysis) should be assessed before starting treatment and at least once a year after. Lithium is contraindicated in patients with severe renal disease.

Other nursing considerations for this drug is to be aware of lithium levels if the patient is taking a diuretic concurrently.  The nurse must monitor intake and output, and report any significant changes. Weight must be monitored every 3 months, and unless contraindicated, fluid intake should be about 2000 to 3000 mL a day. Important labs to monitor during therapy are renal and thyroid function, WBCs, serum electrolytes, adn glucose. It’s also really important to monitor lithium levels, making sure they stay in the therapeutic range, every 2 to 3 days during initial therapy and every 3 to 6 months during maintenance therapy.

Lithium (Lithobid) is a mood stabilizer that is the drug of choice for patients with bipolar disorder. Its mechanism of action is altering cation transport in nerve and muscle, and influencing the reuptake of neurotransmitters. renal excretion of lithium is highly dependent on serum sodium levels and this is because the kidneys process lithium and sodium in the same way.

Lithium can cause many adverse effects on the kidneys including polyuria, glycosuria, renal toxicity, chronic interstitial nephritis, and glomerulonephritis. Long-term lithium therapy should be avoided if possible, and the dosage should be kept as low as possible to reduce renal damage. Kidney function (BUN, serum creatinine, creatinine clearance, urinalysis) should be assessed before starting treatment and at least once a year after. Lithium is contraindicated in patients with severe renal disease.

Other nursing considerations for this drug is to be aware of lithium levels if the patient is taking a diuretic concurrently.  The nurse must monitor intake and output, and report any significant changes. Weight must be monitored every 3 months, and unless contraindicated, fluid intake should be about 2000 to 3000 mL a day. Important labs to monitor during therapy are renal and thyroid function, WBCs, serum electrolytes, adn glucose. It’s also really important to monitor lithium levels, making sure they stay in the therapeutic range, every 2 to 3 days during initial therapy and every 3 to 6 months during maintenance therapy.

Lithium (Lithobid) is a mood stabilizer that is the drug of choice for patients with bipolar disorder. Its mechanism of action is altering cation transport in nerve and muscle, and influencing the reuptake of neurotransmitters. renal excretion of lithium is highly dependent on serum sodium levels and this is because the kidneys process lithium and sodium in the same way.

Lithium can cause many adverse effects on the kidneys including polyuria, glycosuria, renal toxicity, chronic interstitial nephritis, and glomerulonephritis. Long-term lithium therapy should be avoided if possible, and the dosage should be kept as low as possible to reduce renal damage. Kidney function (BUN, serum creatinine, creatinine clearance, urinalysis) should be assessed before starting treatment and at least once a year after. Lithium is contraindicated in patients with severe renal disease.

Other nursing considerations for this drug is to be aware of lithium levels if the patient is taking a diuretic concurrently.  The nurse must monitor intake and output, and report any significant changes. Weight must be monitored every 3 months, and unless contraindicated, fluid intake should be about 2000 to 3000 mL a day. Important labs to monitor during therapy are renal and thyroid function, WBCs, serum electrolytes, adn glucose. It’s also really important to monitor lithium levels, making sure they stay in the therapeutic range, every 2 to 3 days during initial therapy and every 3 to 6 months during maintenance therapy.

Levothyroxine is a thyroid supplement used to treat hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism is fairly common, so this medication is pretty common. Levothyroxine’s chemical structure is identical to the T4 hormone the body naturally produces.

Absorption: 40-80% is absorbed in the GI tract

Metabolism: the liver and other tissues metabolize            levothyroxine to T3

Excretion: the hormone is recirculated enterohepatically  and is excreted in the feces.

The Davis Drug Guide states that this medication is to be used cautiously in patients with severe renal insufficiency.

Levothyroxine is a thyroid supplement used to treat hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism is fairly common, so this medication is pretty common. Levothyroxine’s chemical structure is identical to the T4 hormone the body naturally produces.

Absorption: 40-80% is absorbed in the GI tract

Metabolism: the liver and other tissues metabolize            levothyroxine to T3

Excretion: the hormone is recirculated enterohepatically  and is excreted in the feces.

The Davis Drug Guide states that this medication is to be used cautiously in patients with severe renal insufficiency.

Levothyroxine is a thyroid supplement used to treat hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism is fairly common, so this medication is pretty common. Levothyroxine’s chemical structure is identical to the T4 hormone the body naturally produces.

Absorption: 40-80% is absorbed in the GI tract

Metabolism: the liver and other tissues metabolize            levothyroxine to T3

Excretion: the hormone is recirculated enterohepatically  and is excreted in the feces.

The Davis Drug Guide states that this medication is to be used cautiously in patients with severe renal insufficiency.

Levothyroxine is a thyroid supplement used to treat hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism is fairly common, so this medication is pretty common. Levothyroxine’s chemical structure is identical to the T4 hormone the body naturally produces.

Absorption: 40-80% is absorbed in the GI tract

Metabolism: the liver and other tissues metabolize            levothyroxine to T3

Excretion: the hormone is recirculated enterohepatically  and is excreted in the feces.

The Davis Drug Guide states that this medication is to be used cautiously in patients with severe renal insufficiency.

Levothyroxine is a thyroid supplement used to treat hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism is fairly common, so this medication is pretty common. Levothyroxine’s chemical structure is identical to the T4 hormone the body naturally produces.

Absorption: 40-80% is absorbed in the GI tract

Metabolism: the liver and other tissues metabolize            levothyroxine to T3

Excretion: the hormone is recirculated enterohepatically  and is excreted in the feces.

The Davis Drug Guide states that this medication is to be used cautiously in patients with severe renal insufficiency.

Long term use of naproxen can lead to: renal papillary necrosis-death of the opening area of the collecting ducts that enter the kidney, renal insufficiency-poor regulation of blood pressure and ability to remove waste, and acute renal failure-acute shutdown in renal function.