Emergency Medical Medications Overview

Medical Indicators for Various Medications

Activated Charcoal

• Indications:

  • Oral poisoning

  • Overdose

  • Decreased Level of Consciousness (LOC)

  • Ingestion of acids

  • Unable to protect airway

• Route of Administration:

  • Per Oral (PO)

• Dosage:

  • 1 g per kg of body weight

• Action:

  • Binds to ingested toxins, preventing absorption in the gastrointestinal tract.

• Side Effects:

  • Nausea

  • Vomiting

  • Constipation

  • Black stool

Aspirin (Acetylsalicylic Acid - ASA)

• Indications:

  • Chest pain of suspected cardiac origin

  • Hypersensitivity

  • Gastrointestinal (GI) bleeds

  • Ulcers

• Route of Administration:

  • Per Oral (PO)

• Dosage:

  • 4 times 81 mg (Total = 324 mg)

  • 160 to 325 mg as needed

• Action:

  • Antiplatelet activity; prevents clots from getting bigger.

• Side Effects:

  • Nausea

  • Vomiting

  • Stomach pain

  • Bleeding

  • Allergic reactions

Albuterol

• Indications:

  • Asthma

  • Difficulty breathing with wheezing

  • Hypersensitivity

  • Tachycardia

  • Chest pain of cardiac origin

• Route of Administration:

  • Inhalation

• Dosage:

  • 1 to 2 inhalations every 5 minutes (as needed)

• Action:

  • Bronchodilator; relaxes airway smooth muscle.

• Side Effects:

  • Hypertension

  • Tachycardia

  • Restlessness

Epinephrine

• Indications:

  • Anaphylaxis

  • Chest pain of cardiac origin

  • Hypothermia

  • Hypertension

• Route of Administration:

  • Intramuscular (IM)

• Dosage:

  • 0.3 mg for adults

  • 0.15 mg for pediatric patients

• Action:

  • Stimulates the nervous system; acts as a bronchodilator and vasoconstrictor.

• Side Effects:

  • Hypertension

  • Tachycardia

  • Anxiety

  • Restlessness

Naloxone

• Indications:

  • Suspected opioid overdose with respiratory depression

  • Hypersensitivity

• Route of Administration:

  • Internasal (IN)

• Dosage:

  • 2 to 4 mg as needed

• Action:

  • Reverses effects of opioid overdose by blocking opioid receptor sites.

• Side Effects:

  • Nausea

  • Vomiting

  • Angry behavior

  • Withdrawal symptoms

Nitroglycerin

• Indications:

  • Chest pain of suspected cardiac origin

  • Hypotension (systolic <100)

  • Recent use of Viagra or other erectile dysfunction medications within 24-48 hours

  • Head injury

• Route of Administration:

  • Sublingual (SL)

• Dosage:

  • 0.3 mg tablets, max of 3 doses every 5 minutes

• Action:

  • Vasodilator; decreases myocardial oxygen demand.

• Side Effects:

  • Headache

  • Hypotension

  • Dizziness

  • Tachycardia

Oral Glucose

• Indications:

  • Hypoglycemia

  • Unconscious patient

  • Decreased Level of Consciousness (LOC)

  • Nausea

  • Unable to protect airway

• Route of Administration:

  • Per Oral (PO) (administered between the gum and cheek)

• Dosage:

  • ½ to 1 tube (15 to 25 grams)

• Action:

  • Provides glucose for cell metabolism.

• Side Effects:

  • Nausea

  • Vomiting

Oxygen

• Indications:

  • Hypoxia

  • Suspected hypoxia

  • Rare cautions with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

• Route of Administration:

  • Inhalation

  • Non-Rebreather Mask (NRB)

  • Bag-Valve-Mask (BVM)

  • Nasal Cannula (NC)

  • Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP)

• Dosage:

  • NRB: 10-15 L/min

  • BVM: 15 L/min

  • NC: 1-6 L/min

• Action:

  • Reverses hypoxia; provides O₂ to tissue.

• Side Effects:

  • Decreased respiratory drive in some COPD patients

  • Dry mucous membranes