Page 170 - 2022 Ranger Medic Handbook

GATAFLOXACIN OPHTHALMIC (ZYMAR)
Class: Antimicrobial – antibiotic, ocular fluoroquinolone
Dose: Days 1 and 2: instill 1 drop in affected eye(s) q2hr while awake, up to 8 × daily. Days 3–7: Instill 1 drop in affected
eye(s) up to 4 times/day while awake. To instill in eye, tilt head back, place medication in conjunctival sac and close
eye(s). Apply light finger pressure on lacrimal sac for 1 minute following instillation. To avoid bottle contamination, do
not touch tip of container to any surface. Replace cap after use
Indications: Eye infections
Contraindications: Hypersensitivity to any component of product, pregnancy category may use during pregnancy
and while breastfeeding
Adverse/Side-effects: Upon instillation, may cause temporary blurring of vision or stinging. If stinging, burning, or
itching becomes pronounced, or redness, irritation, swelling, decreasing vision, or pain persists or worsens, discon-
tinue and consider alternative therapy. Lid margin crusting, white crystalline precipitates, and foreign body sensation
in the eye have been reported. Bad/bitter taste in mouth, nausea, discontinue at first sign of skin rash or other allergic
reaction, corneal staining, tearing and photophobia
Interactions: When gatifloxacin is absorbed into the bloodstream, there may be an interaction between gatifloxacin
SECTION 4 ■ ■ antacids (containing aluminum, calcium, and magnesium)
and any of the following:
digoxin
■ probenecid
■ vitamins (containing zinc, calcium, magnesium, or iron)
Mission Impact: Aviation personnel are grounded for the initial 24 hours of antibiotic therapy and until the medical
condition no longer interferes with safely performing aviation duties and the patient is free of side-effects

GUAIFENESIN
Class: ENT agent – antitussive, expectorant
Action: Enhances reflex outflow of respiratory tract fluids by irritation of gastric mucosa; aids in expectoration by
reducing adhesiveness and surface tension of secretions
Dose: 100–400mg PO q4hr or 600–1,200mg XR PO q12hr (max: 2.4g/d)
Indications: Relief of dry, nonproductive coughs associated with colds and bronchitis
Contraindications: Guaifenesin hypersensitivity; pregnancy category may use during pregnancy and caution advised
while breastfeeding
Adverse/Side-effects: Low incidence of nausea; drowsiness
Interactions: By inhibiting platelet function, may increase risk of bleeding in patients receiving heparin

HYDROCORTISONE CREAM
Class: Skin and mucous membrane agent – synthetic hormone; adrenal corticosteroid, glucocorticoid, mineralocorti-
coid, anti-inflammatory
Action: Stabilizes leukocyte lysosomal membranes, inhibits phagocytosis and release of allergic substances, sup-
presses fibroblast formation and collagen deposition
Dose: Topically AAA qd–qid
Indications: To reduce inflammation in various skin conditions
Contraindications: Steroid hypersensitivity, viral or bacterial diseases of skin; varicella or vaccinia on surfaces with
compromised circulation; pregnancy category caution advised during pregnancy and while breastfeeding
Adverse/Side-effects: Anaphylactoid reaction, aggravation or masking of infections, skin thinning and atrophy, acne,
impaired wound healing, petechiae, ecchymosis, easy bruising, hypopigmentation or hyperpigmentation, hirsutism,
acneiform eruptions, subcutaneous fat atrophy, allergic dermatitis, urticaria, angioneurotic edema, increased sweating
Interactions: Estrogens potentiate effects; immune response to vaccines may be decreased

156 SECTION 4 RANGER MEDIC PHARMACOLOGY & FORMULARY