PO vs IV Medication Question

[smithma5]

Nursing friends,

I am doing a little bit of research. In your practice do you come across any medications that only come in the form of tablet and do not have an option for IV or IM administration? If so, would you mind letting me know the type of unit you work on and any info about the med(s)?

For example, Buspirone (shivering suppression after a cardiac event) only comes as tablet.

Thanks so much for your help!

[Dogen]

Colace, apixiban, quetiapine, zyprexa, prograff, synthroid, restoralax, trazadone, lactulose, Crestor, Lipitor, senekot , sinemet, plavix, calcium, cozaar ,monocor , cipralex, aspirin,tegretol, januvia, zopiclone, prolopa , lyrics, Septra, metformin, aricept, tecta,flomax, trazadone,norvasc,losec....Do I need to go on?

Zyprexa exists as an IM, both as an IR and long-acting (Relprevv). An IV version of clopidogrel exists, but not in production AFAIK.

Asenapine, brexpiprazole, lurasidone, iloperidone (aka Fanapt, awful name)... virtually all of the SSRIs (the exception being citalopram)...

ADHD meds for the most part (though people use them IV anyway), especially if you differentiate the extended release formulations (Concerta, Vyvanse, etc)...

Most of the benzos are available as liquids, but some of those liquids aren't intended for injection, like temazepam, while other obviously are (lorazepam, diazepam, midazolam, etc).

Same thing with zolpidem (Ambien), there's an oral spray but no IV.

Some sedative/hypnotics: Unisom, Lunesta, ramelteon...

If you consider Depakote (divalproex sodium) and Depacon (valproate sodium) different medications (which no one does) then Depakote is only available PO.

Donepezil (Aricept)...

That's all I got right now.

[dream'n, BSN, RN]

I recently saw Calcium replaced by IV. It was on the shift prior to mine so I didn't actually get to see the IV bag or if it was some odd form of Calcium.

[CelticGoddess, BSN, RN]

Colace, apixiban, quetiapine, zyprexa, prograff, synthroid, restoralax, trazadone, lactulose, Crestor, Lipitor, senekot , sinemet, plavix, calcium, cozaar ,monocor , cipralex, aspirin,tegretol, januvia, zopiclone, prolopa , lyrics, Septra, metformin, aricept, tecta,flomax, trazadone,norvasc,losec....Do I need to go on?

I have gotten IV synthroid (strict NPO) and I have given Zyprexa IM, a lot!

[KelRN215, BSN, RN]

Basically any newer anti-epileptic that isn't Keppra. Many of the older ones (Dilantin, Phenobarb, Depakote) are available IV but other than Keppra I don't know of any newer ones that are.

The only IV PPI is Protonix, as far as I know. There is no IV Prilosec or IV Prevacid. Anyone on either of the above who needed an IV PPI would be put on Protonix.

I have also given IV synthroid before.

[Penelope_Pitstop, BSN, RN]

The only IV PPI is Protonix, as far as I know. There is no IV Prilosec or IV Prevacid. Anyone on either of the above who needed an IV PPI would be put on Protonix.

There's IV Nexium and IV Prevacid.

To the OP: Buspirone is for anxiety...it's given for post-cardiac event shivering? Hmm. Interesting.

[VANurse2010]

There's IV Nexium and IV Prevacid.

To the OP: Buspirone is for anxiety...it's given for post-cardiac event shivering? Hmm. Interesting.

Yep. Not something you'll see outside an ICU that does post-arrest cooling.

[djh123]

I think there's another form of Mucinex that can be crushed, because I had a pt not long ago who needed it and the NP said order this one, not that one ... I just don't remember the details.

[Julius Seizure]

I recently saw Calcium replaced by IV. It was on the shift prior to mine so I didn't actually get to see the IV bag or if it was some odd form of Calcium.

You mean like other than Calcium Gluconate or Calcium Chloride?

[Dranger]

I recently saw Calcium replaced by IV. It was on the shift prior to mine so I didn't actually get to see the IV bag or if it was some odd form of Calcium.

Not Cal glu or Cal chlor?

I don't understand, I give IV calcium all of the time.

[canigraduate]

A quick look through a drug book would give you the answers you are looking for.

[NutmeggeRN, BSN]

Thank you so much everyone...this information is REALLY helpful! I working on a project where I am trying to compile as many medications as I can that fit into this category. Really appreciate your help!

We are doing your homework?

[Altra, BSN, RN]

I'm not sure of the underlying concept of this (homework) question.

Though a specific med formulation may be unavailable in IV form, the action of the med can generally be accomplished somehow, some way, if critically necessary in the presumably very short term that even a critically ill patient will be receiving meds only IV, and not per the GI tract via NG/OG.