EMT Basic Medications

What are the 7 medications an EMT can administer?

Activated Charcoal,Albuterol, Aspirin, Epinephrine, Nitroglycerin, Oral Glucose, & Diphenhydramine.

Trade Name of Activated Charcoal?

Actichar

Trade Names of Albuterol?

Ventolin & Proventil

Trade Names of Aspirin?

Bayer & St. Joseph

Trade Names of Epinephrine?

EpiPen & Twinject

Trade Name of Nitroglycerin?

Nitrostat

Trade Names of Oral Glucose?

Insta-Glucose & Glutose

Trade Name of Diphenhydramine?

Benadryl

Mechanism of Action: Activated Charcoal

Binds toxic substances from the gastrointestinal tract, onset of action in immediate.

Mechanism of Action: Albuterol

Relaxes smooth muscles in the bronchial tree causing bronchodilation.

Mechanism of Action: Aspirin

Inhibit clotting

Mechanism of Action: Epi

Vasoconstriction, smooth muscle relaxation of the bronchoiles

Mechanism of Action: Nitroglycerin

Coronary vessel vasodilation, decreases work load of the heart. Dilates vessels

Mechanism of Action: Oral Glucose

Elevated blood glucose level

Mechanism of Action: Diphenhydramine

Helps with allergic reactions

Indications: Activated Charcoal

Oral Poisoning

Indications: Albuterol

Respiratory distress caused by bronchoconstriction, wheezing.

Indications: Aspirin

Cardiac chest pain of new onset

Indications: Epi

Severe allergic reaction with associated hypotension and/ or respiratory distress.

Indications: Nitroglycerin

Cardiac chest pain

Indications: Oral Glucose

Altered mental status with low blood glucose less than 60 mg or history of diabetes.

Indications: Diphenhdramine

Allergic dermatitis, hypersensitivity reactions, allergic reactions, sleep disorders, allergic rhinitis, motion sickness, treatment of drug induced extrapyramidal reactions.

Contraindications: Activated Charcoal

Oral administration to comatose patient, after ingestion of corrosives, caustics, or petroleum distillates, simultaneous administration with other oral drugs.

Contraindications: Albuterol

Allergic, maximum dose administered, rapid heart rate.

Contraindications: Aspirin

Allergic, internal bleeding, asthma

Contraindications: Epi

Not a life threatening emergency, however contact medical control

Contraindications: Nitroglycerin

Systolic blood pressure less than 100, head injury, taken an ED within 24 hours, maximum does taken in 30 minutes.

Contraindications: Oral Glucose

Decreased level of consciousness, unable to swallow or protect airway, nausea and vomiting

Contraindications: Diphenhydramine

Neonates or premature infants.

Medication Forms: Activated Charcoal

25 g per 125 mL bottle, 50 g per 250 mL bottle.1 part charcoal/4 parts water

Medication Forms: Albuterol

Metered dose inhaler or liquid for nebulizer

Medication Forms: Aspirin

81 mg chewable tablets, 160 mg tablets, 325 mg tablets

Medication Forms: Epi

autoinjector

Medication Forms: Nitroglycerin

tablets or spray can be administered by EMTs

Medication Forms: Oral Glucose

Gel

Medication Forms: Diphenhydramine

Capsule, tablets, chewable tablets, liquid, injection, topical cream

Dosage & Administration Route: Activated Charcoal

1 - 2 grams per kg of patients weight PO (Oral)

Dosage & Administration Route: Albuterol

metered dose inhaler - 2 puffs 1 -2 minutes apart

nebulizer - 2.5 mg nebulizer

Dosage & Administration Route: Aspirin

160-325 mg PO (Oral)

Dosage & Administration Route: Epi

1 autoinjector

adult - .3 mg

pediatric - .15 mg

Dosage & Administration Route: Nitroglycerin

tablets - .3 - .4 mg SL every 3 - 5 minutes to a maximum dose of 3 tablets

spray - .4 mg SL every 3 - 5 minutes to maximum dose of 3 sprays

Dosage & Administration Route: Oral Glucose

1 tube (15 mg) applied to bite stick or tongue depressor applied between cheek and gum, facing the cheek)

Dosage & Administration Route: Diphenhydramine

25 - 50 mg PO every 4-8 hours

6 Rights Of Medication Administration

Patient, Medication, Dose, Route, Time, Documentation