Drugs

drug name (generic, trade)- class, mechanism of action, indications, contraindications, side effects/ concerns, dose/ route

Epinephrine 1:1,000/ 1:1 (Epipen)

• sympathomimetic (agonist)

• vasoconstricition, bronchodialation

• indication- severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis), respiratory compromise, hypotension

• MI (cardiac chest pain), hypothermia, hypertension

• contraindication- high bp (hypertension), tachycardia, anxiety, restlessness

• side effects- high heart rate (hypertension), anxious

• dose/ route- 0.3- 0.5 mg for adult, 0.15 mg for children/ IM

Epinephrine

causes flight or fight response and increase in heart rate

epi is when they are decompensating because of their allergic reaction (airway and blood pressure is being effected)

medications last for 5 minutes, do not repeat dose, ensure ALS is en route for cont treatment

sympathomimetic (agonist) class

• also known as adrenergic agonists, mimic the effects of the sympathetic nervous system.

• activate receptors in the body that are normally stimulated by the neurotransmitters norepinephrine and epinephrine (also known as noradrenaline and adrenaline)— leading to effects like increased heart rate, blood pressure, and bronchodilation

Nitroglycerin (Nitrostat, Nitromist)

• vasodilators

• dilates blood vessels

• indication- cardiac chest pain (MI)

• contraindication- hypotension can not give is BP is less than 90, use of viagra (sildenafil) or erectile dysfunction within previous 24 hours, head injury

• side effects- headache, burning under tongue, hypotension/ ensure ALS en route

• dose/ route- 0.3 to 0.4 mg SL, 0.4 mg spray SL/ every 3 minutes every 5 minutes if side effects still there keep doing

vasodilators class

dilates blood vessels, lowers blood pressure

Oral Glucose (Glutose, Insta- glucose)

• glucose elevating agent

• increase BGL

• indication- blood glucose less than 60 (hypoglycemia)

• contraindication- decreased LOC/ unconscious, unable to swallow, vomiting

• side effects- none

• dose/ route- 15- 30 g/ PO

Oral glucose

If cant use BGL device, its always ok to give oral glucose just in case

unable to swallow big contraindication because could make patient aspirate, don’t just give sugar to patient

glucose elevating agent

• medications used to treat hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, particularly in individuals with diabetes.

• They work by increasing blood glucose levels through various mechanisms, such as stimulating the liver to release stored glucose or promoting the breakdown of glycogen.

Albuterol (Proventil, Ventolin)

• sympathomimetic, bronchodilator

• increases effects of other nervous system stimulants, bronchi dilation, beta 2 agonist

• treats- asthma, difficulty breathing with wheezing.

• contraindications- if allergic, tachycardia

• side effects- coughing, tremors, high heart rate and high bp, shaky, anxiousness

• dose/ route- 2.5mg/ 3ml, peds- 2.5/ 3ml/ inhalation vs nebulizer (6-8 LMP)

albuterol

takes wheezing away

increases heart rate

a type of medication that relaxes the smooth muscles in the airways, making it easier to breathe

sympathomimetic, bronchodilator

• a medication that relaxes the muscles in the airways, making it easier to breathe

• achieves this by mimicking the effects of the sympathetic nervous system, specifically by stimulating beta-2 adrenergic receptors in the lungs. This stimulation leads to the relaxation of bronchial smooth muscle, which helps to widen the airways and relieve bronchospasms

Activated Charcoal (Actidose, Liqui- char)- class, indications, contraindications

• antidotes, miscellaneous GI agents, adsorbents

• absorbant- bonds and inactivates most medications, toxins and other substances bind to the surface of the charcoal rather than being soaked up into it

• indications- oral ingestion of poison- non corrosive within 1 hour, overdose

• contraindications- unable to swallow safely, decreased LOC, non corrosive

• side effects- nausea, vomiting, constipation, black stools

• dose/ route- 1 g/ kg PO

Aspirin ( ASA, Bayer)

• Non-steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID)

• inhibits platelets aggregation

• indications- Cardiac chest pain (MI)

• contraindications- allergy, GI bleeding, severe liver damage

• side effects- none

• Dose/ route- 81- 325 mg/ PO

GI bleeding

any bleeding that occurs within the digestive tract, which includes the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, rectum, and anus. The bleeding can be visible, like blood in vomit or stool, or it can be hidden, detectable only through lab tests

Aspirin

anti- inflammatory and anti- fever agent, prevents platelets from clumping which decreases formation of clots

81 mg of baby aspirins, give 4 to adults, 324/ 325 mg dosing

caution with patients taking anticoagulants

Non-steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID)

group of medications primarily used to reduce pain, inflammation, and fever.

Platelet inhibitor

prevents blood clots from forming

Naloxone (Narcan)

• opioid antagonists

• reverse respiratory depression, secondary to opioid overdose

• indication- opioid overdose, pinpoint pupils, respiratory depression (breathing to slow and not getting enough oxygen, hypoventilation)

• contraindication- hypersensitivity

• side effects- nausea, vomiting, withdraw symptoms, violent behavior

• dose/ route- 2 mg IN or IM auto- injector

opioid antagonist

drug that blocks the effects of opioids by binding to opioid receptors without activating them

Naloxone

not used to take high away, give just enough naloxone to get them breathing