Emergency Drugs

Atropine

Administered in cases of bradycardia with hypotension or premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) to increase heart rate and stabilize the patient.

Amiodarone

Used to treat life-threatening arrhythmias, particularly ventricular fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia.

Adenosine

First-line drug for treating paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia; helps restore normal heart rhythm by slowing conduction through the AV node.

Bicarb (Bicarbonate)

Administered late in cardiac arrest when other treatments have failed, to address metabolic acidosis and improve patient outcomes.

Atropine

Administered in cases of bradycardia with hypotension or premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) to increase heart rate and stabilize the patient.

Amiodarone

Used to treat life-threatening arrhythmias, particularly ventricular fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia.

Adenosine

First-line drug for treating paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia; helps restore normal heart rhythm by slowing conduction through the AV node.

Bicarb (Bicarbonate)

Administered late in cardiac arrest when other treatments have failed, to address metabolic acidosis and improve patient outcomes.

Calcium Chloride

Helps counteract calcium channel blocker toxicity, hyperkalemia, or hypocalcemia, and supports heart muscle function.

Cardizem

Helps manage atrial tachydysrhythmia by slowing the heart rate and improving rhythm control (calcium channel blocker).

Diltiazem

Used to treat high blood pressure and control angina (chest pain). Relaxes blood vessels to reduce the heart's workload and increases blood and oxygen supply to the heart. It is a calcium-channel blocker.

Dobutamine

Enhances the heart's ability to pump blood by improving myocardial contractility, effective in treating heart failure.

Dopamine

A positive inotropic agent that improves heart function and blood flow, with effects varying based on the dosage administered.

Digoxin

A cardiac glycoside used to control irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias) including atrial fibrillation, and to manage symptoms of heart failure with other medicines. Toxicity can lead to visual disturbances and dysrhythmias; requires careful monitoring.

Epinephrine

Used in cardiac arrest to restore rhythm by stimulating alpha and beta adrenergic receptors, which help improve heart function and circulation.

Isuprel

Used for symptomatic bradycardia when atropine is ineffective; helps increase heart rate and improve circulation.

Metoprolol

Used alone or with other medications to treat high blood pressure and chronic angina (chest pain). Also used to improve survival after a heart attack and to treat heart failure.

Lasix

A diuretic that helps remove excess fluid from the body, commonly used in cases of acute pulmonary edema to reduce fluid buildup in the lungs.

Norepinephrine

A powerful vasoconstrictor used to increase blood pressure in cases of severe hypotension or shock.

Lidocaine

Acts as an antiarrhythmic, particularly in managing ventricular arrhythmias, and also serves as a local anesthetic.

Lorazepam

A benzodiazepine used for seizure control, sedation, and management of anxiety in emergency settings.

Magnesium Sulfate

Used in cases of torsades de pointes (a type of life-threatening arrhythmia), preeclampsia/eclampsia, and severe asthma exacerbations.

Milrinone

A phosphodiesterase inhibitor that improves heart contractility and reduces vascular resistance in cases of heart failure.

Morphine

A narcotic analgesic that alleviates pain and reduces myocardial oxygen demand, making it useful in managing chest pain and heart conditions.

Natrecor

A synthetic form of human B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) that helps reduce fluid overload in acute heart failure.

Nicardipine

A calcium channel blocker used to rapidly lower blood pressure in hypertensive emergencies.

Nipride

A potent vasodilator that lowers systemic vascular resistance, making it effective for rapidly reducing blood pressure.

Nitroglycerin

Requires infusion in a glass IV bottle with special tubing to maintain its stability and effectiveness during administration. Used to relieve chest pain (angina) and treat heart failure.

Nitroprusside

A potent vasodilator used to quickly reduce high blood pressure and decrease cardiac afterload.

Procainamide

An antiarrhythmic used for treating ventricular and supraventricular arrhythmias.

Pronestyl

An alternative to Lidocaine for suppressing ventricular tachycardia, providing another option for managing this serious arrhythmia.

Sodium Bicarbonate

Administered in cases of metabolic acidosis, hyperkalemia, or certain drug overdoses to correct acid-base imbalances.

Vasodilators (Decrease Afterload)

🔹 Nitroglycerin – Reduces preload (venous dilation)

🔹 Nicardipine (CCB) – Arterial vasodilator

🔹 Nitroprusside – Arterial & venous vasodilator

🔹 Morphine – Reduces preload (venous dilation)

Vasopressors (Increase Afterload)

🔹 Norepinephrine – Potent vasoconstriction

🔹 Epinephrine – Vasoconstriction & cardiac stimulation

🔹 Neosynephrine (Phenylephrine) – Increases blood pressure via vasoconstriction

🔹 Dopamine – Dose-dependent effect; increases BP at higher doses

Positive Inotropes (Increase Contractility)

🔹 Epinephrine – Strengthens heart contractions

🔹 Dopamine – Increases force of contraction

🔹 Milrinone – Enhances cardiac output

🔹 Dobutamine – Improves cardiac contractility

Decrease Heart Rate

🔹 Amiodarone – Stabilizes heart rhythm

🔹 Diltiazem (CCB) – Some vasodilation, slows AV conduction

🔹 Beta Blockers – Reduce heart rate & cardiac workload

Increase Heart Rate

🔹 Epinephrine – Stimulates heart rate

🔹 Atropine – Blocks parasympathetic influences