EMT Pharmacology

Albuterol common names

Proventil, Ventolin

Albuterol function class

Sympathomimetic

Albuterol mechanism of action

Short acting beta 2 agonist that produces bronchial smooth muscle relaxation, increasing bronchodilation

Albuterol indications

Bronchospasm (wheezing), reversible obstructive airway disease

Albuterol contraindication

Prior cardiac history, lack of prescription or has reached maximum dose

Albuterol side effects

tremors, anxiety, palpitations, tachycardia, dry mouth, headache

Albuterol dosing

Adult 2.5 mg in 3mL or metered dose inhaler (MDI)

Pediatric < 2 years old, 1.25 mg in 3mL or MDI

Albuterol dosing

nebulized / inhaled

Oxygen functional class

Oxidizer

Oxygen mechanism of action

Colorless, Odorless, tasteless, naturally occurring gas that rapidly diffuses across the alveolar and capillary walls. It is necessary for normal aerobic metabolism and breaks down glucose into a usable form.

Increases O2 sat of hemoglobin in the blood to oxygenate the body.

O2 is 21% of air

Oxygen indications

Hypoxemia, respiratory insufficiency, cardiac arrest, when oxygen saturation (spO2) is < 94%

Oxygen contraindications

hyperventilation, use with caution in COPD patients

Oxygen dosing

Nasal Cannula (NC) 0.5-6 LPM

Non-Rebreather Mask (NRB) 10-15 LPM

Bag-Valve Mask (BVM) 15 LPM

Oxygen Route

Inhaled

Aspirin common names

ASA (acetylsalicylic acid)

Aspirin functional class

NSAID, Salicylate, analgesic, antiplatelet, antipyretic

Aspirin mechanism of action

Blocks actions of platelets sticking together, therefore slowing clot formation

Anti-inflammatory by inhibiting the inflammation process

Aspirin indications

Angina, suspected MI, chest pain suspected of cardiac origin

Aspirin contraindications

Hypersensitivity, active gastric ulcers, bleeding disorders

Aspirin side effects

Dizziness, N/V, abdominal pain, easy bruising

Aspirin dosing

324 MG - 325 P.O. chewable tablets

Aspirin route

Oral (PO) (Chewable)

Nitroglycerin common name

Nitrostat, Nitro-bid

Nitroglycerin functional class

vasodilator

Nitroglycerin mechanism of action

Smooth muscle relaxation, causing systemic vasodilation, increasing blood flow, improving perfusion. Decreased venous return, and a decrease in preload and afterload in the left ventricle

Nitroglycerin indications

Chest pain, patients must be prescribed medication prior to administration

Nitroglycerin contraindications

Hypotension (<120 systolic), recent use (within 24 hours) of erectile dysfunction medications (ex. Viagra)

Nitroglycerin side effects

hypotension, N/V, headache, palpitations and dizziness

Nitroglycerin dosing

0.3-0.4 mg SL, or 1 spray, repeat in 5 mins - total of 3 doses, so long as blood pressure allows this

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Nitroglycerin route

Sublingual (SL)

Epinephrine common names

Adrenalin

Epinephrine functional class

sympathomimetic

Epinephrine mechanism of action

Stimulates the nervous system, causing bronchodilation, increasing heart rate, and constricts blood vessels

Epinephrine indications

severe respiratory distress caused from an anaphylactic reaction, hives (urticaria), lip and face swelling

Epinephrine contraindication

Chest pain of cardiac origin, hypothermia, hypertension

Epinephrine side effects

Increases oxygen demand, palpitations, anxiety, headaches, CVA, syncope, HTN (Hypertension)

Epinephrine dosing

Weight based

Adult: 0.3mg IM (>25kg)

Pediatric: 0.15mg IM (<25kg)

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Epinephrine route

IM (intramuscular)

Oral Glucose common names

dextrose

Oral Glucose functional class

carbohydrate

oral glucose mechanism of action

Needs to be absorbed

After being absorbed, it is distributed in cells and tissues to elevate blood sugar

Oral glucose indications

hypoglycemia

Oral Glucose contraindications

Decreased LOC, Nausea & Vomiting

Patients must be awake and alert and able to maintain airway in order to proceed

Oral glucose side effects

N/V

Oral glucose dosing

½ - 1 tube of glucose

Oral Glucose Route

PO

Naloxone common name

Narcan

Naloxone functional class

Narcotic antagonist

Naloxone mechanism of action

Reverses respiratory depression secondary to opioid overdose, displacing narcotic molecules in the brain

Naloxone indications

Apparent opioid overdose, including slow respiratory rate and pinpoint pupils. Coma of unknown origin

Naloxone contraindications

None, use caution on known narcotic user, prescribed or not, it will cause an abrupt reversal

Naloxone side effects

N/V (nausea and vomiting), HTN, tachycardia, hyperventilation, seizures

Naloxone dosing

2 mg IN or IM auto injector

Naloxone Route

Intranasally, intramuscular

Activated Charcoal common names

Actidose

Activated Charcoal functional class

Absorbent

Activated charcoal mechanism of action

Absorbs toxic substances in the digestive tract by binding and absorbing ingested drug/toxin/chemical present. Once bound, it is excreted in the feces

Activated charcoal indications

Oral poisonings and oral overdoses

Activated charcoal contraindications

Decreased LOC, overdose of corrosives, caustics, or petroleum substances. Be sure to monitor the airway, mental status, and vitals

Activated charcoal side effects

N/V, abdominal cramps, bloating, constipation or diarrhea

Activated charcoal dosing

1-2 G/kg

Activated charcoal route

oral

Glucagon common names

glucagen

glucagon functional class

hormone

Glucagon mechanism of action

Glucagon naturally occurs in the pancreas. When given for hypoglycemia, it converts stored glycogen in the liver to glucose

Glucagon indications

Hypoglycemia

Glucagon contraindications

Hypersensitivity use caution. Glucagon is only effective if there are sufficient stores of glycogen in the liver

Glucagon side effects

Hypotension, hyperglycemia, headache, dizziness, N/V

Glucagon dosing

1 mg (unit) IM/SQ every 10 minutes

Glucagon route

IM/SQ. This could take up to 20 minutes for onset

Atrovent names

Ipratropium Bromide

Atrovent functional class

bronchodilator, anticholinergic

Atrovent mechanism of action

Inhibits interactions of acetylcholine at the receptor site on the bronchial smooth muscle, resulting in bronchodilation

Atrovent indications

Acute bronchospasm, Asthma or COPD exacerbation

Atrovent Contraindications

Use with caution in pregnancy

Atrovent side effects

N/V, cramps, dry mouth, blurred vision, epistaxis

Atrovent dosing

0.5 mg in 2.5-3 mL NS via nebulizer every (q) 6 hours

Atrovent Route

Inhaled, Nebulized