What are the pinch drugs?

These medicines include anti-infective agents, anti-psychotics, potassium, insulin, narcotics and sedative agents, chemotherapy and heparin and other anticoagulants. These medicines are represented by the acronym 'A PINCH'. The poster below can be used to assist hospitals in raising awareness of A PINCH medicines.


What are the top 5 high-alert medications?

The five high-alert medications are insulin, opiates and narcotics, injectable potassium chloride (or phosphate) concentrate, intravenous anticoagulants (heparin), and sodium chloride solutions above 0.9%.

What are the high-alert medications?

High-alert medications are drugs that bear a heightened risk of causing significant patient harm when they are used in error. Although mistakes may or may not be more common with these drugs, the consequences of an error are clearly more devastating to patients.


What is the acronym for high risk drugs?

High risk medicines (HRMs) are medications that have an increased risk of causing significant patient harm or death if they are misused or used in error.

Is gabapentin a high risk medication?

High-dose gabapentin is associated with a twofold increase in adverse effects, including somnolence, tremors, ataxia and nystagmus. Exposure to moderate-dose (adjusted OR 1.56) and high-dose gabapentin (adjusted OR 1.58) is associated with a 60% increased risk of opioid-related death compared with opioids alone.


APINCH High-Risk Medicines | Ausmed Explains



What shouldn't you take gabapentin?

Gabapentin can interact with losartan, ethacrynic acid, caffeine, phenytoin, mefloquine, magnesium oxide, cimetidine, naproxen, sevelamer and morphine. Gabapentin use is contraindicated in patients with myasthenia gravis or myoclonus.

What damage does gabapentin do to the body?

Gabapentin may cause vision changes, clumsiness, unsteadiness, dizziness, drowsiness, sleepiness, or trouble with thinking.

What does pinch me stand for?

'PINCH ME' (Pain, Infection, Nutrition, Constipation, Hydration, Medication, Environment) is a mnemonic which is useful for teaching clinical staff to look for obvious causes of delirium (see image).


What are the 6 high risk medications?

High risk medications
  • A – Antimicrobials.
  • P – Potassium and other electrolytes, psychotropic medications.
  • I – Insulin.
  • N – Narcotics, opioids and sedatives.
  • C – Chemotherapeutic agents.
  • H – Heparin and other anticoagulants.
  • S – Safer systems (e.g. safe administration of liquid medications using oral syringes)


Is tramadol a high risk medication?

Tramadol is structurally related to the opioids like codeine and morphine and can increase your risk for misuse, abuse, addiction, overdose and death, even if you take the medicine exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Never share tramadol with anyone else, as they could die from taking it.

What drug keeps you awake all night?

Cocaine and amphetamine-like drugs (such as methamphetamine) are among the most potent dopamine-increasing drugs, and their repeated misuse can lead to severe sleep deprivation. Sleep deprivation in turn downregulates dopamine receptors, which makes people more impulsive and vulnerable to drug taking.


What are the 3 most commonly abused prescription drug classes?

Three types of drugs are abused most often: • Opioids—prescribed for pain relief • CNS depressants—barbiturates and benzodiazepines prescribed for anxiety or sleep problems (often referred to as sedatives or tranquilizers) • Stimulants—prescribed for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), the sleep disorder ...

What OTC drug is abused the most?

There are two OTC medicines that are most commonly misused.
  • Dextromethorphan (DXM) is a cough suppressant found in many OTC cold medicines. ...
  • Loperamide is an anti-diarrheal that is available in tablet, capsule, or liquid form. ...
  • DXM is an opioid without effects on pain reduction and does not act on the opioid receptors.


What are Tier 5 prescription drugs?

Tier 5 - Nonpreferred Specialty: In Tier 5 are nonpreferred specialty drugs that likely have a more cost-effective generic or preferred alternative available. Tier 5 has the highest copayment for specialty drugs. In some cases, they may not be covered.


What can Goodrx prescribe for anxiety?

Key takeaways:

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are first-choice options for treating generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). If an SSRI or SNRI doesn't work, there are other options. These include buspirone and hydroxyzine.

Is oxycodone a high-alert drug?

The most common high-alert medications were oxycodone (5%), enoxaparin (3%), and noradrenaline (3%). Serious patient harm (3%) was related to cefuroxime, enoxaparin, ibuprofen, midazolam, propofol, and warfarin.

What is a Schedule 4d drug?

They are called 'prescribed restricted substances' or 'Appendix D drugs' or 'S4D' drugs and include drugs which may be abused and/or are liable to cause dependence. Anabolic androgenic steroids, barbiturates and benzodiazepines (such as diazepam and nitrazepam) are examples of S4Ds.


What are the 7 major drug categories?

DREs classify drugs in one of seven categories: central nervous system (CNS) depressants, CNS stimulants, hallucinogens, dissociative anesthetics, narcotic analgesics, inhalants, and cannabis.

What medication should be avoided in the elderly?

Here are seven common types of anticholinergic medication that older adults should avoid, or use with caution:
  • Sedating antihistamines. ...
  • PM versions of over-the-counter (OTC) painkillers. ...
  • Medications for overactive bladder. ...
  • Medications for vertigo or motion sickness. ...
  • Medications for itching. ...
  • Medications for nerve pain.


Is delirium fatal?

Patients can recover completely if the cause of delirium is identified quickly and addressed. Any delay makes it less likely they'll recover quickly and/or fully. Lack of treatment can lead to stupor, coma or even death. Older persons with dementia and those with HIV are less likely to have a complete recovery.


What are the 3 types of delirium?

Experts have identified three types:
  • Hyperactive delirium. This may be the easiest type to recognize. People with this type may be restless and pace the room. ...
  • Hypoactive delirium. People with this type may be inactive or have reduced activity. ...
  • Mixed delirium. Symptoms involve both types of delirium.


Is delirium worse at night?

As the sun sets, many elderly patients can change drastically: They can become extremely confused, agitated, not know where they are, and even hallucinate. In other words, they exhibit signs of delirium, a confused state that can lead them to do things they otherwise wouldn't.

How does gabapentin make you feel?

Gabapentin can produce feelings of relaxation, calmness and euphoria. Some users have reported that the high from snorted gabapentin can be similar to taking a stimulant. It can also enhance the euphoric effects of other drugs, like heroin and other opioids, and is likely to increase the risks when taken in this way.


Is gabapentin a narcotic?

Gabapentin is not a narcotic. It's not classified as a controlled substance in most states. (Kentucky, West Virginia, Michigan, Tennessee, and Virginia have reclassified gabapentin as a Schedule V controlled substance). Gabapentin is not an opioid.

What organs are affected by gabapentin?

In emergency cases, some people might struggle with breathing problems and kidney issues. These are likely among those who have had lung or kidney issues in the past, or who are using gabapentin with other substances (medicinal or otherwise).