Home Drug Guide Pinacidil

Drug Guide

Generic Name

Pinacidil

Brand Names Pindac

Classification

Therapeutic: Antihypertensive, vasodilator

Pharmacological: Potassium channel opener

FDA Approved Indications

  • Hypertension

Mechanism of Action

Pinacidil opens ATP-sensitive potassium channels in vascular smooth muscle, leading to hyperpolarization and relaxation of the vascular smooth muscle, resulting in vasodilation and decreased blood pressure.

Dosage and Administration

Adult: Typically 10-30 mg orally, divided into 2-3 doses. Dose adjustments are based on response and tolerance.

Pediatric: Limited data; use in children not well established, consult specialist.

Geriatric: Start at lower doses due to increased risk of hypotension and other side effects.

Renal Impairment: Use with caution; may require dose adjustment based on patient's renal function.

Hepatic Impairment: Data limited; caution advised, consider dose adjustments.

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption: Well absorbed orally.

Distribution: Widely distributed; specific data limited.

Metabolism: Primarily hepatic metabolism; detailed pathways not well defined.

Excretion: Excreted mainly via urine.

Half Life: Approximately 1-2 hours.

Contraindications

  • Known hypersensitivity to pinacidil or other potassium channel activators.

Precautions

  • Use with caution in patients with severe hypotension, recent myocardial infarction, or bleeding disorders. Risk of reflex tachycardia and hypotension.

Adverse Reactions - Common

  • Headache (Common)
  • Reflex tachycardia (Common)
  • Flushing (Common)
  • Hypotension (Common)

Adverse Reactions - Serious

  • Arrhythmias (Rare)
  • Severe hypotension (Rare)
  • Angina exacerbation (Rare)

Drug-Drug Interactions

  • Other antihypertensives (may enhance hypotensive effect)
  • CYP3A4 inhibitors/inducers (may alter metabolism)

Drug-Food Interactions

  • No significant food interactions noted

Drug-Herb Interactions

  • Limited data; exercise caution with herbal supplements affecting blood pressure or potassium levels

Nursing Implications

Assessment: Monitor blood pressure, heart rate, and signs of hypotension. Assess for symptoms of reflex tachycardia.

Diagnoses:

  • Ineffective tissue perfusion related to hypotension.
  • Risk for decreased cardiac output related to reflex tachycardia.

Implementation: Administer as prescribed, typically orally, with meals to reduce gastrointestinal upset. Monitor vital signs regularly.

Evaluation: Assess blood pressure and heart rate for effectiveness and adverse effects. Adjust dose as necessary.

Patient/Family Teaching

  • Do not discontinue suddenly; consult healthcare provider before stopping.
  • Report symptoms of dizziness, rapid heartbeat, or chest pain.
  • Take medication exactly as prescribed, with or without food.
  • Be cautious when changing position to avoid falls due to hypotension.

Special Considerations

Black Box Warnings:

  • None currently issued.

Genetic Factors: No specific genetic considerations documented.

Lab Test Interference: No known interference with laboratory tests.

Overdose Management

Signs/Symptoms: Severe hypotension, dizziness, tachycardia, arrhythmias, syncope.

Treatment: Supportive care, intravenous fluids, vasopressors if necessary, and continuous cardiac monitoring.

Storage and Handling

Storage: Store at room temperature, 20-25°C (68-77°F).

Stability: Stable under recommended storage conditions for the duration of the shelf life.

🛡️ 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.