EMT Drug Cards

Diphenhydramine — Benadryl

    Anti-Histamine

        An anti-histamine that blocks the H1 & H2 receptors, has slight sedative effects.

Used for: anaphylaxis, simple allergic reactions, and extrapyramidal reactions

Contraindications: allergy to the drug

    Adverse effects: dry mouth, dizziness, drowsiness, palpitations, hypotension, sedation

Adult dose: 25-50 mg IV/IO, IM, PO

Pediatric dose: 1-2 mg/kg (max dose is 25mg) IV/IO, IM, PO

Oral Glucose

    Carbohydrate gel

        Will raise patients’ blood glucose levels

Used for: hypoglycemia

Contraindications: cant maintain airway or consciousness and unable to obey commands

    Adverse effects: none in emergency settings

   Dose: entire tube; 15 g PO

Naloxone — Narcan

    Opioid Antagonist

        An opioid antagonist that will reverse the effects of an opiate at the mu-opiate receptor

Used for: Opiate overdose with respiratory depression (low RR)

Contraindications: none in EMS

    Adverse effects: confusion, agitation, AMS, tachycardia

Adult dose: 2-4 mg IN/IM | o.4-2 mg IV/IO

Pediatric dose: o.1 mg/kg (max dose 2 mg)

Activated Charcoal — Acti-Dose

    Adsorbant & antidote

        Used as an antidote to ingested drugs, it binds to the drug to deactivate it, then eliminates it from the body. Must be given within 1 hour from ingestion to substance

Used for: numerous oral poisons/medicine overdose

Contraindications: corrosives, caustics, unable to obey commands or protect airway

    Adverse effects: Nausea/Vomiting (n/v)

Adult dose: 30-100 g PO

Pediatric dose: 1 g/kg PO

Epinephrine — Adrenalin

    Sympathetic agonist

        Naturally occurring catecholamine that directly effects the A1, B1, & B2 receptors (effects include: vasoconstriction, increased HR/BP, increased contractility, bronchodialation)

Used for: 1:10,000 cardiac arrest | 1:1000 asthma, anaphylaxis, COPD

Contraindications: hypersensitivity, tachycardia, hypertensive

    Adverse effects: Nausea/Vomiting (n/v), headache, nervousness

Adult dose: cardiac arrest = 1mg IV/IO 3-5 minutes

AAC = 0.3 mg | stridor = 5 mg nebulizer

Pediatric dose: 0.01 mg/kg

Albuterol — Ventolin

Sympathomimetic (beta2)

a sympathomimetic that acts on beta 2 as an agonist, causes prompt bronchodialation of the lungs

Used for: Asthma, anaphylaxis, COPD, hyperkalemia

Contraindications: hypersensitivity, CHF

Adverse effects: palpitations, tachycardia, headache

dose: 2.5 mg mixed into mask; nebulizer

Nitroglycerin — nitrostat

anti-anginal agent

vasolidator, relaxes smooth muscle, decreases preload and oxygen demand

Used for: acs/chf/ chest pain

Contraindications: hypersensitivity, ED meds last 48 hours, hypotension, right ventricular infarction

Adverse effects: dizziness, headache, hypotension

dose: 0.4 mg SL (3-5 mins) | 10-50 mcg IV

Aspirin — ASA

NSAID

NSAID, decreases inflammation and platelet aggregation

Used for: chest pain/ acs

Contraindications: hypersensitivity, no ability to chew

Adverse effects: GI symptoms

Dose: 324 mg PO

Oxygen — O2

medical gasses

corrects hypoxia, oxygenates blood, and reduces cardiac overload

used for: low oxygen (low SPO2), carbon monoxide poisoning, used in conjunction with airway devices to deliver oxygen

Contraindications: none if SPO2 is lower than 94%

Adverse reactions: drying of mucus membranes

Dose: 1-15 lpm depending on O2 device/setup