Medication and the side effects 
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Almost all of people with disabilities are prescribed multiple medications. Here are the most common medications used for treatments and the side effects that parents should be aware of.
| COMMON MEDCATIONS |
||
DISABILITY/MEDICATION |
USE |
SIDE EFFECTS |
| SPINAL CORD INJURY (Spina Bifida) | ||
| Bladder (UTI): Antibacterial | ||
| Bactrim | Antibacterial | Skin rash, Sore throat, Fever, Shortness of breath |
| Septra (Sula drug) | Antibacterial | Nausea, Vomiting, Headache, Dizziness, Allergic reaction |
| Macrodantin | Antibacterial | Nausea, Vomiting, Diarrhea, Dizziness, Malaise |
| Furdantin | Antibacterial | Nausea, Vomiting, Diarrhea, Dizziness, Malaise |
| Bladder (Spasms): Anticholinergics | ||
| Urecholine | Treats urinary retention by contracting the bladder | Dizziness, Lightheadedness, Fainting may occur |
| Ditropan | Antispasmodic | Blurred vision, Drowsiness, Nausea, Dry mouth |
| Daricon | Antispasmodic | Urinary retention, Blurred vision, Loss of taste, Headache, Drowsiness, Constipation, Nausea |
| BLIND (Diabetes) | ||
| Pancreas | ||
| NPH Insulin | Long-lasting, peaks in 12 hours, stabilizes blood sugar level throughout the day | |
| Insulin (Regular) | Fast-acting, peaks in ½ hour (i.e., if blood sugar is very high take regular insulin) | |
| Diabinese | Blood-glucose-lowering drug: situluates release of insulin from pancreas | Jaundice, Nausea, Diarrhea, Vomiting, Anorexia, Hunger, Photosensitivity |
| CVA (Cardio Vascular Accident), STROKE, HEMPILEGIA | ||
| Anticoagulants | ||
| Coumadin | Prevents clotting of the blood given for leg clots, lung clots | Minor/major hemorrhages from an organ or tissue, Dermatitis, Fever, Nausea, Diarrhea |
| Heparin | Anticoagulen, prevents embolisms | Could cause hemorrhage at any site |
| EPILEPSY (Can follow head trauma) | ||
| Gran Mal/Petit Mal | ||
| Dilantin | Prevent seizures | Slurred speech, Mental confusion, Dizziness, Insomnia, Headache, Vomiting, Gum enlargement, Nausea, Increased body hair, Decreased coordination |
| Phenobarbitol | Prevent seizures | Sleepiness |
| Tegretol | Prevent seizures | Slurred speech, mental confusion, insomnia, Headache, Nausea, Vomiting, Gum enlargement, Decreased coordination |
| Clonopin | Prevent seizures (rare) | Drowsiness, Headache |
| Depakane | Prevent seizures | Nausea, Vomiting, Sleepiness |
| Depakote (Valproic acid) | Antiepileptic, Prevent seizures | Hepatic failure may result; Nausea, Vomiting, Indigestion, Hallucination, Dizziness, Incoordination, Photosensitivity, Hyperactivity |
| PSYCHIATRIC, NERVOUS DISORDER | ||
| Major Tranquilizers | ||
| Thorazine | Severe agitation, powerful drug used only for specific situations | Many |
| Haldol | Severe agitation, powerful drug used only for specific situations | Many |
| Major Tranquilizers | ||
| Valium | Reduction of nervous tension and agitation | Drowsiness, Decreased coordination, Dangerous to mix with alcohol |
| Librium | Reduction of nervous tension and agitation | Drowsiness, Decreased coordination, Dangerous to mix with alcohol |
| Tranzene | Reduction of nervous tension and agitation | Drowsiness, Decreased coordination, Dangerous to mix with alcohol |
| ANALGESICS | ||
| Narcotics | Pain relief | Potential for addiction |
| Codeine | Pain relief | Constipation, Depression of cough reflex, addiction |
| Demerol | Pain relief | Constipation, Depression of cough reflect, addiction |
| ANTIEMETIC | ||
| Compazine | Control nausea and vomiting | Drowsiness, Abnormal movements |
| Phenergan | Prevention and control of nausea and vomiting | Drowsiness, Dizziness, Dryness of the mouth, Blurring of the vision |
| Vistaril | Control of Nausea and vomiting | Drowsiness, Dryness of the mouth |
| ANTIBIOTICS | ||
| Ampicillin | Treat infections | Diarrhea, Nausea, Vomiting, Skin rashes |
| Penicillin | Treat infections | Diarrhea, Nausea, Vomiting, Skin rashes |
| Oxacillin | Treat infections | Diarrhea, Nausea, Vomiting, Skin rashes |
| Keflex | Treat infections | Headache, Malaise, Dizziness, Nausea, Vomiting, Abdominal pain, Allergic in the form of a rash |
| Ancef | Treat infections | Headache, Malaise, Dizziness, Nausea, Vomiting, Abdominal pain, Allergic in the form of a rash |
| Tetracycline | Treat infections | Headache, Malaise, Dizziness, Nausea, Vomiting, Abdominal pain, Allergic in the form of a rash |
| Gentamycin | Treat serious infections | |
| Tobramycin | Treat serious infections | |
| ANTI-INFLAMMATORY | ||
| Decadron | Potent anti-inflammatory effects in disorders of many organ systems | Fluid retention, Potassium loss, Muscle weakness, Ulcers, Abdominal Distention, Menstrual irregularities, Suppression of growth in children |
| ANTISPASMODIC | ||
| Dantrium | Relief of muscle spasms | Drowsiness, Dizziness, Fatigue, Diarrhea, Liver injury rarely |
| Lioresal | Relief of muscle spasms | Drowsiness, Dizziness, Weakness, Fatigue |
| Valium | Relief of muscle spasms | Drowsiness, Fatigue |
| HYPERTENSIVE | ||
| Aldactazide | Diuretic medication | Dryness of the mouth, Weakness, Lethargy, Drowsiness, Muscle cramps, hypotension, Grastrointestinal symptoms |
| Apresoline | Reduction of high blood pressure | Continued malaise, chest pain, Headache, Nausea, Vomiting, Diarrhea, Changes in the blood pressure |
