2. Introduction
•
• Emergency medicine is the medical
specialty dedicated to the diagnosis and
treatment of unforeseen illness or injury.
• Emergency drugs are those chemical
entities used in patients during life
threatening conditions so that the symptoms
can be controlled and life can be saved.
3. Purpose of Emergency Drugs
• • To provide initial treatment for broad spectrum of illness
• and injuries, most of which may be life threatening.
• • To control the symptoms of patient.
• • To save the life of the Patient.
• • To reach the Site of action a soon as possible
• • To normalize the vital body function.
• • To diverge the patient the from the possible risk.
4. Drug Dosage Calculations
• Desired dose
− Quantity of a medication that is to be administered
• Concentration
− Amount of medication that is present in vial
• Volume
− Amount of fluid medication is dissolved in
• Yield
− The amount of drug in 1 mL
5. Activated Charcoal (EZ-Char,
Actidose, Liqui-Char)
• Mechanism of action
− Absorbs toxic
substances from the
gastrointestinal tract
• Indications
− Most oral poisonings/
medication overdoses
• Contraindications
− Oral administration to
comatose patients
• Adverse reactions
− If aspirated, can
induce fatal form
of pneumonitis
− Bowel obstruction
• Considerations
− Mix contents well
before administration.
− Does not absorb
cyanide, lithium, iron,
lead, or arsenic
6. Adenosine
(Adenocard)
• Mechanism of action
− Slows conduction
through the AV node
− Can interrupt reentrant
pathways
− The drug of choice for
reentry SVT
• Indications
− Most forms of stable
narrow-complex SVT
• Contraindications
− Bronchoconstrictive or
bronchospastic lung
disease
• Adverse reactions
− Generally short
duration and mild
• Considerations
− Evaluate elderly for
signs of dehydration
7. Albuterol
(Proventil, Ventolin)
• Mechanism of action
− Results in smooth-
muscle relaxation in
the bronchial tree
• Indications
− Treatment of
bronchospasm in
patients with
COPD/asthma)
• Contraindications
− Hypersensitivity
reactions to albuterol
• Adverse reactions
− Often dose-related
and include
headache, fatigue,
lightheadedness,
irritability,
restlessness
• Considerations
− Pregnancy safety:
Category C
− May precipitate
angina pectoris and
dysrhythmias
8. Aspirin (ASA, Bayer, Ecotrin,
St. Joseph, and Others)
• Mechanism of action
− Prevents platelets
from clumping
together and forming
emboli
• Indications
− New onset chest pain
suggestive of acute
myocardial infarction
• Contraindications
− Relatively
contraindicated in
patients with active
ulcer disease or
asthma
• Adverse reactions
− Bronchospasm,
anaphylaxis,
wheezing
in allergic patients,
prolonged bleeding
• Considerations
− Pregnancy safety:
Category D
− Not recommended in
pediatric population
9. Atropine Sulfate
• Mechanism of action
− Increases heart rate in
life-threatening
bradydysrhythmias
• Indications
− Hemodynamically
unstable bradycardia
• Contraindications
− Tachycardia,
hypersensitivity
• Adverse reactions
− Drowsiness,
confusion, headache,
tachycardia,
palpitations
• Considerations
− Pregnancy safety:
Category C
− Moderate doses may
cause pupillary
dilation.
10. Bumetanide
(Bumex)
• Mechanism of action
− Inhibits the
reabsorption of
sodium and chloride in
the ascending limb of
the loop of Henle
• Indications
− Pulmonary edema,
congestive heart
failure
• Contraindications
− Hypersensitivity to
bumetanide or
sulfonamides
• Adverse reactions
− Dizziness, headache,
orthostatic
hypotension
• Considerations
− Pregnancy safety:
Category C
11. Calcium Gluconate
• Mechanism of action
− Counteracts the
toxicity of
hyperkalemia
• Indications
− Hyperkalemia,
hypocalcemia
• Contraindications
− Ventricular fibrillation,
digitalis toxicity,
hypercalcemia
• Adverse reactions
− Syncope, cardiac
arrest, dysrhythmia,
bradycardia
• Considerations
− Pregnancy safety:
Category C
− Do not administer by
IM or SQ
12. Dexamethasone Sodium
Phosphate (Decadron)
• Mechanism of action
− Suppresses acute and
chronic inflammation
• Indications
− Anaphylaxis, asthma,
spinal cord injury
• Contraindications
− Hypersensitivity, use
caution in suspected
systemic sepsis
• Adverse reactions
− Headache,
restlessness,
euphoria, psychoses
• Considerations
− Pregnancy safety:
Category C
− Protect medication
from heat. Toxicity
and side effects occur
with long-term use.
14. Diazepam
(Valium and Others)
• Mechanism of action
− Raises the seizure
threshold; induces
amnesia and sedation
• Indications
− Acute anxiety states
and agitation, acute
alcohol withdrawal
• Contraindications
− Hypersensitivity,
narrow-angle
glaucoma
• Adverse reactions
− Dizziness,
drowsiness,
confusion, headache
• Considerations
− Pregnancy safety:
Category D
− Short duration for
anticonvulsant effect
− Reduce dose by 50%
in elderly patients.
15. Digoxin
(Lanoxin)
• Mechanism of action
− Increases force of
myocardial contraction
• Indications
− Congestive heart
failure, reentry SVTs,
ventricular rate control
in atrial flutter and
atrial fibrillation
• Contraindications
− Ventricular fibrillation,
ventricular tachycardia,
digitalis toxicity
• Adverse reactions
− Fatigue, headache,
blurred yellow or
green vision, seizures
• Considerations
− Pregnancy safety:
Category C
− Patient receiving IV
digoxin must be on a
monitor
16. Diphenhydramine
(Benadryl)
• Mechanism of action
− Blocks cellular
histamine receptors
• Indications
− Symptomatic relief
of allergies, allergic
reactions, and
anaphylaxis
• Contraindications
− Asthma, glaucoma,
pregnancy,
hypertension
• Adverse reactions
− Drowsiness, sedation,
seizures
• Considerations
− Pregnancy safety:
Category B
− Not used in infants
18. Dopamine Hydrochloride
(Intropin)
• Mechanism of action
− Increases myocardial
contractility and stroke
volume
• Indications
− Cardiogenic and
septic shock,
hypotension with low
cardiac output states
• Contraindications
− Hypovolemic shock,
pheochromocytoma,
tachydysrhythmias
• Adverse reactions
− Headache, anxiety,
dyspnea,
dysrhythmias
• Considerations
− Pregnancy safety:
Category C
− Effects are dose-
dependent
19. Epinephrine
(Adrenalin)
• Mechanism of action
− Blocks histamine
receptors
• Indications
− Cardiac arrest,
symptomatic
bradycardia
• Contraindications
− Hypertension,
hypothermia,
pulmonary edema
• Adverse reactions
− Nervousness,
restlessness,
headache, tremor
• Considerations
− Pregnancy safety:
Category C
− May cause syncope in
asthmatic children
20. Epinephrine Racemic
(Micronefrin)
• Mechanism of action
− Reduces airway
resistance
• Indications
− Bronchial asthma,
prevention of
bronchospasm, croup
• Contraindications
− Hypertension,
underlying
cardiovascular
disease, epiglottitis
• Adverse reactions
− Headache, anxiety,
fear, nervousness,
respiratory weakness
• Considerations
− May cause
tachycardia and other
dysrhythmias
− Monitor vital signs.
21. Fosphenytoin
(Cerebyx)
• Mechanism of action
− Elevates the
excitability threshold
of the cell, reducing its
response to stimuli
• Indications
− Status epilepticus,
seizure disorder
• Contraindications
− Bradycardia, Adams-
Stokes syndrome,
second- or third-
degree AV blocks
• Adverse reactions
− Severe hypotension,
bradycardia,
dysrhythmias
• Considerations
− Pregnancy safety:
Category D
− Use with caution in
patients with hepatic
and renal impairment
and diabetic, elderly,
and debilitated
patients.
23. Heparin Sodium
• Mechanism of action
− Affects clotting factors
IX, XI, XII, plasmin;
does not lyse existing
clots
• Indications
− Acute myocardial
infarction, prophylaxis
and treatment of
thromboembolic
disorders
• Contraindications
− Hypersensitivity,
active bleeding
• Adverse reactions
− Pain, anaphylaxis,
shock, hematuria
• Considerations
− Pregnancy safety:
Category C
− Heparin does not lyse
existing clots.
24. Hydrocortisone Sodium
Succinate (Solu-Cortef)
• Mechanism of action
− Anti-inflammatory;
immunosuppressive
with salt-retaining
actions
• Indications
− Shock due to acute
adrenocortical
insufficiency,
anaphylaxis, asthma,
and COPD
• Contraindications
− Systemic fungal
infections, premature
infants
• Adverse reactions
− Headache, vertigo,
pulmonary
tuberculosis
• Considerations
− Pregnancy safety:
Category C
− May be used in status
asthmaticus as a
second-line drug
25. Lidocaine Hydrochloride
(Xylocaine)
• Mechanism of action
− Decreases
automaticity
• Indications
− Alternative to
amiodarone in cardiac
arrest from ventricular
tachycardia
• Contraindications
− Hypersensitivity,
second- or third-
degree AV block in
the absence of an
artificial pacemaker
• Adverse reactions
− Anxiety, drowsiness,
confusion, seizures
• Considerations
− Apnea induced with
succinylcholine may
be prolonged with
high doses of
lidocaine.
− Exceedingly high
doses can result in
coma or death.
26. Lorazepam
(Ativan)
• Mechanism of action
− Anxiolytic,
anticonvulsant,
and sedative effect
• Indications
− Initial control of status
epilepticus or severe
recurrent seizures
• Contraindications
− Acute narrow-angle
glaucoma, coma,
shock
• Adverse reactions
− Dizziness,
drowsiness, CNS
depression, headache
• Considerations
− Pregnancy safety:
Category D
− Monitor respiratory
rate and blood
pressure during
administration.
27. Mannitol
(Osmitrol)
• Mechanism of action
− Decreases cerebral
edema and
intracranial pressure
• Indications
− Cerebral edema
• Contraindications
− Hypotension,
pulmonary edema,
severe dehydration,
intracranial bleeding,
CHF
• Adverse reactions
− Headache, confusion,
seizures, pulmonary
edema
• Considerations
− Pregnancy safety:
Category C
− May crystallize at low
temperatures; store at
room temperature
− Have ventilatory
support available.
28. Methylprednisolone Sodium
Succinate (Solu-Medrol)
• Mechanism of action
− Suppresses acute and
chronic inflammation
• Indications
− Acute spinal cord
trauma, anaphylaxis,
bronchodilator for
unresponsive asthma
• Contraindications
− Premature infants,
systemic fungal
infections
• Adverse reactions
− Depression, euphoria,
headache,
restlessness, seizure
• Considerations
− Pregnancy safety:
Category C
− Not effective if time of
spinal cord injury
greater than
8 hours
29. Midazolam Hydrochloride
(Versed)
• Mechanism of action
− Causes sedative,
anxiolytic, amnesic,
and hypnotic effects
• Indications
− Sedation for medical
procedures
• Contraindications
− Acute narrow-angle
glaucoma, shock,
coma, alcohol
intoxication
• Adverse reactions
− Headache,
somnolence,
respiratory depression
• Considerations
− Pregnancy safety:
Category D
− Administer
immediately prior to
intubation procedure.
30. Naloxone Hydrochloride
(Narcan)
• Mechanism of action
− Reverses respiratory
depression secondary
to opiate drugs
• Indications
− Opiate overdose,
complete or partial
reversal of central
nervous system and
respiratory depression
induced by opioids
• Contraindications
− Use with caution in
narcotic-dependent
patients
• Adverse reactions
− Restlessness,
seizures, dyspnea,
pulmonary
• Considerations
− Pregnancy safety:
Category C
31. Nitroglycerin
(Nitrostat, Nitro-Bid, Tridil)
• Mechanism of action
− Smooth muscle
relaxant acting on
vasculature, bronchial,
uterine, intestinal
smooth muscle
• Indications
− Acute angina pectoris,
ischemic chest pain
• Contraindications
− Hypotension,
hypovolemia,
intracranial bleeding
or head injury
• Adverse reactions
− Headache, dizziness,
weakness, reflex
tachycardia
• Considerations
− Pregnancy safety:
Category C
− Hypotension more
common in the elderly
32. Phenytoin
(Dilantin)
• Mechanism of action
− Promotes sodium
efflux from neurons
• Indications
− Prophylaxis and
treatment of major
motor seizures
• Contraindications
− Hypersensitivity,
bradycardia
• Adverse reactions
− Ataxia, agitation,
dizziness, headache,
drowsiness
• Considerations
− Pregnancy safety:
Category D
− Carefully monitor vital
signs.
33. Propofol
(Diprivan)
• Mechanism of action
− Produces rapid
and brief state
of general anesthesia
• Indications
− Anesthesia induction/
maintenance,
sedation for
mechanically
ventilated patients
• Contraindications
− Hypovolemia, known
sensitivity
• Adverse reactions
− Seizure, apnea,
dysrhythmias,
asystole, hypotension,
hypertension
• Considerations
− Pregnancy safety:
Category B
− Avoid rapid
administration in
elderly patients to
avoid hypotension and
airway obstruction.
34. Sodium Bicarbonate
• Mechanism of action
− Buffers metabolic
acidosis and lactic acid
buildup
• Indications
− Metabolic acidosis
during cardiac arrest,
tricyclic
antidepressant, aspirin
• Contraindications
− Metabolic/respiratory
alkalosis, hypokalemia,
electrolyte imbalance
• Adverse reactions
− Hypernatremia,
metabolic alkalosis,
tissue sloughing,
cellulitis
• Considerations
− Pregnancy safety:
Category C
− Repeat as needed in
tricyclic
antidepressant
overdose until QRS
narrows
35. Sodium Nitrate
• Mechanism of action
− Reacts with
hemoglobin to form
methemoglobin, which
reacts with cyanide
• Indications
− Cyanide poisoning
• Contraindications
− None in the
emergency setting
• Adverse reactions
− Hypotension,
tachycardia, fainting,
nausea, vomiting
• Considerations
− Pregnancy safety:
Category C
− Potent vasodilator
causes significant
hypotension if given
too rapidly
36. Summary
• Paramedics are required to know the
names, class, mechanism of action,
adverse reactions and side effects,
interactions, indications, contraindications,
complications, routes of administration,
dose, and specific administration
considerations for many emergency
medications and intravenous fluids.
• Individual states have the authority to
include additional medications, which may
be taught by your local training agency.
37. CONCLUSION
• I conclude that because of paramedics must
make quick decisions about when to
administer medications, what medications
to administer, and when administering
certain medications would be harmful to the
patient, it is critically important they develop
a solid understanding of the information in
this chapter and stay up to date on the
latest pharmacologic information.