Home Drug Guide Rescinnamine

Drug Guide

Generic Name

Rescinnamine

Brand Names Moderil, Cinnasil

Classification

Therapeutic: Antihypertensive

Pharmacological: Alpha-adrenergic blocker, Cinnamic acid derivative

FDA Approved Indications

  • Hypertension

Mechanism of Action

Rescinnamine blocks alpha-adrenergic receptors in blood vessels, leading to vasodilation and decreased blood pressure. It may also inhibit the release of norepinephrine, contributing to antihypertensive effects.

Dosage and Administration

Adult: Typically 25-50 mg twice daily, adjusted based on response. Can be increased gradually.

Pediatric: Not commonly used in pediatric patients, dosage to be determined by physician based on weight and age.

Geriatric: Start at lower doses due to increased sensitivity and potential comorbidities.

Renal Impairment: Use with caution; dosage adjustment may be necessary.

Hepatic Impairment: Use with caution; monitor closely.

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption: Well absorbed after oral administration.

Distribution: Widely distributed in body tissues, crosses the blood-brain barrier.

Metabolism: Metabolized in the liver.

Excretion: Excreted mainly in urine and feces.

Half Life: Approximately 3-6 hours.

Contraindications

  • Known hypersensitivity to rescinnamine or other phenylethylamine derivatives.
  • Concurrent use with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).

Precautions

  • Use cautiously in patients with cardiovascular disease, hepatic or renal impairment, or cerebrovascular disease.
  • Not recommended during pregnancy or lactation unless benefit outweighs risk.

Adverse Reactions - Common

  • Postural hypotension (Common)
  • Dizziness (Common)
  • Headache (Common)

Adverse Reactions - Serious

  • Arrhythmias (Uncommon)
  • Nasal congestion (Uncommon)
  • Gastrointestinal disturbances (Uncommon)

Drug-Drug Interactions

  • Other antihypertensives, especially adding to risk of hypotension.
  • CNS depressants may enhance sedative effect.

Drug-Food Interactions

N/A

Drug-Herb Interactions

N/A

Nursing Implications

Assessment: Monitor blood pressure regularly, assess for signs of hypotension or adverse reactions.

Diagnoses:

  • Ineffective tissue perfusion related to hypotension.
  • Risk for falls due to dizziness or orthostatic hypotension.

Implementation: Administer as prescribed, monitor vitals during titration.

Evaluation: Assess effectiveness in lowering blood pressure and observe for adverse effects.

Patient/Family Teaching

  • Rise slowly from sitting or lying position to minimize orthostatic hypotension.
  • Take medication exactly as prescribed.
  • Report any dizziness, headache, or signs of allergic reaction.

Special Considerations

Black Box Warnings: N/A

Genetic Factors: None specific.

Lab Test Interference: May interfere with urinary catecholamine tests.

Overdose Management

Signs/Symptoms: Severe hypotension, dizziness, tachycardia.

Treatment: Supportive care, vasopressors if necessary, activated charcoal if ingestion was recent, gastric lavage in severe cases.

Storage and Handling

Storage: Store at room temperature away from light and moisture.

Stability: Stable for 2-3 years when stored properly.

🛡️ 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.