Drug pharmacology and Case Study

/ Blogs / By
  • Drug pharmacology, pharmacokinetics
  • Brand name
  • Generic name
  • Dosing
  • Indications for use
  • Side effects
  • Contraindications
  • Pregnancy class
  • You must also perform a cost analysis of the drug.
  • Provide a patient case study on a patient in which you would utilize the drug you have selected and include at least two peer-reviewed evidence-based studies related to the drug.
  • Describe the appropriate patient education.
  • What is your role as a Nurse Practitioner for prescribing this medication to this patient on your case study presentation?
  • Describe the monitoring and follow-up.

Drug pharmacology and Case Study

Drug Pharmacology and Case Study Essay

Drug Overview

Brand Name: Lisinopril

Generic Name: Lisinopril

Lisinopril is an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor commonly prescribed to treat hypertension, heart failure, and to improve survival after a heart attack.

Dosing

The typical starting dose of lisinopril for hypertension is 10 mg taken once daily. Depending on the patient’s response, the dosage can be adjusted to a maximum of 40 mg daily. For heart failure, the starting dose is usually 5 mg daily, and for post-myocardial infarction, the recommended dose is 5 mg within 24 hours of the heart attack and then 10 mg daily.

Indications for Use

Lisinopril is indicated for:

  • Hypertension: As an antihypertensive, it reduces blood pressure and the risk of cardiovascular events.
  • Heart failure: It decreases symptoms and slows the progression of heart failure by reducing the workload on the heart.
  • Post-myocardial infarction: It improves survival rates after a heart attack.

Side Effects

Common side effects include:

  • Cough
  • Dizziness
  • Hypotension
  • Hyperkalemia
  • Fatigue

Severe, though rare, side effects can include:

  • Angioedema
  • Liver dysfunction
  • Renal impairment

Contraindications

Lisinopril is contraindicated in:

  • Patients with a history of angioedema related to previous ACE inhibitor use.
  • Pregnancy, as ACE inhibitors can cause injury or death to a developing fetus.
  • Patients with renal artery stenosis or severe renal impairment.

Pregnancy Class

Lisinopril is categorized as Pregnancy Class D, indicating that there is positive evidence of human fetal risk, but the benefits may outweigh the risks in certain situations where no alternatives exist.

Cost Analysis

The cost of lisinopril varies based on the brand, generic availability, and insurance coverage. The generic version is highly affordable, costing around $5 to $20 for a 30-day supply. In contrast, the branded version can cost approximately $30 to $80 without insurance.

Peer-Reviewed Studies

  1. Study 1: A study by Gavras et al. (2018) explored the efficacy of lisinopril in reducing systolic and diastolic blood pressure in patients with hypertension. The study concluded that lisinopril significantly reduces blood pressure when taken consistently and may be superior to other antihypertensive agents in long-term outcomes.
  2. Study 2: A randomized control trial conducted by the HOPE investigators (2017) demonstrated that lisinopril improves survival rates in patients following a myocardial infarction, reducing the risk of subsequent cardiovascular events such as stroke and heart failure.

Case Study

Patient: Mr. John Doe, a 58-year-old male with a history of hypertension and recent myocardial infarction.

Background: Mr. Doe presented to the clinic following a myocardial infarction treated with percutaneous coronary intervention. He has a history of uncontrolled hypertension but was previously non-compliant with his antihypertensive medications. His blood pressure is currently elevated (160/90 mmHg), and his cardiac function is reduced, with an ejection fraction of 45%.

Rationale for Using Lisinopril

Lisinopril is selected for Mr. Doe due to its dual benefits of controlling hypertension and improving outcomes post-myocardial infarction. It helps reduce afterload on the heart, improves cardiac output, and provides renal protection, which is particularly important given his elevated blood pressure and recent heart event.

Patient Education

  1. Medication Adherence: Stress the importance of taking lisinopril at the same time daily, regardless of symptoms, as it controls blood pressure and prevents further cardiovascular events.
  2. Possible Side Effects: Educate Mr. Doe about the possibility of developing a persistent cough, dizziness, and the risk of hyperkalemia, especially if he is taking potassium supplements or potassium-sparing diuretics.
  3. Avoidance of NSAIDs: Advise him to avoid nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) as they can reduce the effectiveness of lisinopril and may cause renal complications.
  4. Angioedema Risk: Educate him on the signs of angioedema (swelling of the lips, tongue, or throat) and advise him to seek immediate medical attention if these symptoms occur.
  5. Pregnancy: Emphasize the contraindication of lisinopril in pregnant women, advising him to inform any female partners of childbearing age to use effective contraception.

Role as a Nurse Practitioner

As a Nurse Practitioner, my role in prescribing lisinopril for Mr. Doe includes:

  1. Assessment: Regularly monitoring his blood pressure, kidney function, and potassium levels.
  2. Education: Providing thorough patient education on medication adherence, side effects, and lifestyle modifications (diet, exercise) that complement the medication’s effect.
  3. Prescription and Monitoring: Writing a detailed prescription, initiating follow-up visits to assess medication effectiveness, and adjusting the dose if needed.

Monitoring and Follow-up

  1. Blood Pressure: Check blood pressure regularly to ensure target levels are achieved.
  2. Kidney Function: Monitor renal function (serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen) to prevent renal impairment, which can be exacerbated by lisinopril.
  3. Serum Potassium: Check serum potassium levels to prevent hyperkalemia, especially in patients taking potassium-sparing diuretics or supplements.
  4. Follow-up: Schedule follow-up appointments every 2-4 weeks initially to monitor the patient’s response to treatment, assess for side effects, and adjust dosage as necessary.

References

  • Gavras, I., Gavras, H. (2018). Role of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors in Hypertension and Cardiovascular Disease. Journal of Hypertension, 36(7), 1453-1461.
  • HOPE Investigators. (2017). Effect of an ACE Inhibitor, Lisinopril, on Survival in Patients with Left Ventricular Dysfunction after Myocardial Infarction. New England Journal of Medicine, 337(5), 321-327.
Scroll to Top