Home Drug Guide Pentagastrin

Drug Guide

Generic Name

Pentagastrin

Brand Names Peptavlon

Classification

Therapeutic: Gastrointestinal stimulant

Pharmacological: Gastrin analog

FDA Approved Indications

  • Diagnostic testing of gastric acid secretion in research and certain clinical settings

Mechanism of Action

Pentagastrin mimics gastrin, stimulating the gastric, pancreatic, and biliary secretions by binding to gastrin receptors, leading to increased acid production and enzyme secretion in the stomach.

Dosage and Administration

Adult: Typically administered via intravenous injection; dosage varies based on the specific diagnostic test, commonly 50 mcg per test gegeben; follow the specific protocol for each test.

Pediatric: Use is off-label; doses are adjusted based on weight and specific clinical protocol.

Geriatric: No specific adjustment necessary, but monitor for adverse effects.

Renal Impairment: Use with caution; dosage adjustments may be necessary based on renal function.

Hepatic Impairment: Use with caution; no specific dosing recommendation established.

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption: Not applicable (used parenterally in diagnostic settings)

Distribution: Distributed in extracellular fluids; no detailed data available

Metabolism: Metabolized minimally; primarily excreted unchanged

Excretion: Excreted via kidneys

Half Life: Approximately 2 hours in healthy individuals

Contraindications

  • Hypersensitivity to pentagastrin or related peptides.
  • Active gastrointestinal bleeding.
  • Pregnancy and lactation: Use only if clearly needed and benefits outweigh risks.

Precautions

  • In patients with a history of gastrointestinal perforation, acute inflammation, or malignancy of the stomach or intestines.
  • Monitor for hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis.

Adverse Reactions - Common

  • Gastrointestinal discomfort (nausea, vomiting) (Common)
  • Hypersensitivity reactions (rash, itching) (Uncommon)

Adverse Reactions - Serious

  • Anaphylactic reactions (Rare)
  • Severe hypersensitivity responses, including bronchospasm (Rare)

Drug-Drug Interactions

  • None well documented; caution with concomitant use of other gastrointestinal stimulants or agents affecting gastric acid.

Drug-Food Interactions

N/A

Drug-Herb Interactions

N/A

Nursing Implications

Assessment: Evaluate baseline gastric acid secretion, history of allergies, and contraindications.

Diagnoses:

  • Risk for allergic reaction
  • Impaired gastrointestinal function

Implementation: Administer as directed, monitor for adverse reactions, and assess gastric secretions when applicable.

Evaluation: Monitor for expected increase in gastric secretions and assess for adverse reactions.

Patient/Family Teaching

  • Inform about potential allergic reactions and symptoms to report immediately.
  • Explain the purpose of the test and what to expect during administration.

Special Considerations

Black Box Warnings: N/A

Genetic Factors: N/A

Lab Test Interference: May interfere with tests measuring gastric acid secretion.

Overdose Management

Signs/Symptoms: Exaggerated gastric secretion, hypersensitivity reactions.

Treatment: Supportive care; discontinue drug; manage allergic reactions appropriately.

Storage and Handling

Storage: Store in a cool, dry place away from light.

Stability: Stable for the duration noted in the package insert.

🛡️ 5 Critical Medication Safety Tips for Nurses

1

Triple-Check High-Risk Medications

Always have another nurse verify insulin, heparin, warfarin, and chemotherapy drugs. These "high-alert" medications cause the most serious errors. Check concentration, dose calculation, and pump settings twice.

2

Know Look-Alike, Sound-Alike Drugs

Common mix-ups: hydromorphone/morphine, Celebrex/Celexa, Zyprexa/Zyrtec. Always use BOTH generic and brand names, read labels twice, and use barcode scanning when available. One wrong letter can be fatal.

3

Assess Before AND After Giving Meds

Check vitals before cardiac meds, pain levels before analgesics, and blood glucose before insulin. Always reassess within 30 minutes to evaluate effectiveness and watch for adverse reactions.

4

Watch for Drug Interactions

Common dangerous combinations: warfarin + aspirin (bleeding), ACE inhibitors + potassium (hyperkalemia), digoxin + diuretics (toxicity). Always check drug interactions before administering new medications.

5

Educate Your Patients

Teach patients medication names, purposes, major side effects, and what to report. Informed patients catch errors and improve compliance. Always encourage questions - an educated patient is a safer patient.

⚡ Remember: When in doubt, don't give it out! It's always safer to double-check than regret later.

⚠️ Medical Disclaimer

This drug guide is for educational purposes only and is NOT intended for clinical use. Always consult current prescribing information, healthcare providers, and institutional protocols before administering any medication. Do not use this information for patient care decisions.