Pharmacology

Activated Charcoal (actidose with sorbitol)

Action-Adsorbs toxic substances in the digestive tract.

Indicacations- Most oral poisonings overdose

Contraindications- Decreased level of consciousness; overdose of corrosives, caustics, or petroleum substances

Routes-PO

Side Effects- Nausea, vomiting, constipation, black stools

Interactions-Bonds with and inactive most medications/ substances in the digestive tract

Adult Dose- 1-2g/kg

Administration Concerns-stains (protect patient and provider clothing); do not give when giving other PO medication.

Aspirin (Bayer)

Action-Anti-inflammatory agent and anti-fever agent; prevents platelets from clumping, thereby decreasing formation of new clots.

Indications- Relief of mild pain, headache, muscle aches; chest pain of cardiac origin.

Contraindications-Hypersentivity, recent bleeding

Routes- PO

Side effects- Nausea, vomiting, stomach pain,bleeding, allergic reactions

Adult Dose- 160 to 325mg; t60- 325mg chewable tablets for chest pain

Administration Concerns- Do not administer for pain caused by trauma or fevers in children; patients with chest pain must be able to chew tablets.

Common fast-acting MDI medications (albuterol[Proventil], Ventolin

Action- Stimulates nervous system, causing brochodilation

Indications- Asthma/ difficulty breathing with wheezing

Contraindications- Hypersensivity; tachycardia(relative) chest pain of cardiac origin.

Sifde effects- Hypertension, tachycardia, anxiety, restlessness

Routes- Inhalation

Interactions- Increases effects of other nervous system stimulants.

Adult Dose- 1-2 inhalations; wait 5 mins. before repeating dose

Administration Concerns- patient must inhale all medication in one breath; coach patient to hold breath for 5 seconds after inhalation.

Epinephrine (EpiPen)

Action-Stimulates nervous system, causing brochodilation

Indications- Anaphylactic reaction

Contraindications- chest pain of cardiac origin; hypothermia; hypertension

Routes- IM

Side Effects- Hypertension, tachycardia, anxiety, restlessness

Interactions- increases effects of other nervous system stimulants.

Adult dose- 0.3 mg for Adult; 0.15 mg for children

Administration concerns- Medication will last approximately 5mins; do not repeat dose; ensure ALS is en route for continuing treatment.

Naloxone (Narcan, EVZIO autoinjector)

Action- Reverses respiratory depression secondary to opioid overdose.

Indications- Opioid posoning

Contraindications-Hypersensitivity

Routes- IM,IN

Side Effects- Nausea, vomiting

Interactions- Additional doses may be required for severe opioid overdoses

Adult Dose- 0.4 mg auto-injector; 2 mg IN

Administration Concerns- patients may wake up combative

Nitroglycerin (Nitrostat, Nitromist)

Action- Dilates blood vessels

Indications- Chest pain of cardiac origin

Contraindications- Hypotension; use of sildenafil (Viagra) or another treatment for erectile dysfunction within the previous 24hrs; head injury

Routes- Sl tablet or spray

Side Effects- Headache, burning under tongue, hypotension, nausea

Interactions- Increases dilating effects of other blood vessel-dilating medications

Adult Dose- 0.3 to 0.4 mg SL; ).4 mg spray

Administration Concerns- Ensure ALS is en route

Oral glucose (Glutose)

Action- When absorbed, provides glucose for cell use.

Indications- Low blood glucose (hypoglycemia)

Contraindications- Decreased level of consciousness; nausea; vomiting

Routes- PO

Side Effects- Nausea, vomiting

Adult Dose- None

Administration Concerns- Patient must be awake, have control of airway, and be able to follow commands

Oxygen (no trade name)

Action- Reverses hypoxia; provides oxygen to be absorbed by lungs

Indications- Hypoxia or suspected hypoxia

Contraindications-Very rarely used in patients with COPD; do not use near open flames, as oxygen will support comustion

Routes- Inhalation

Side Effects-Decreased respiratory effort in rare cases in patients with COPD

Interactions- Can support combstion

Adult Dose- use oxygen delivery devices to administer 28 % to 100% oxygen

Administration Concerns- No open flames nearby; do not withhold oxygen from patients in respiratory distress

Acetaminophen (Tylenol)

Action- Analgesic and fever reducer

Indications- Relief of mild pain or fever, headache, muscke aches

Contraindications- Hypersentivity

Routes- PO

Side effects- allergic reaction

Interaction- Take caution to avoid potential overdosing. Many OTC medications contain Acetaminophen

Adult Dose- 500 to 1,000 mg every 4 hours as needed; dose is weiht-based for children

Administration Concerns- Weight of child more important than age

Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)

Antihistamine (blocks histamine)

Mild Allergic reactiosn

Asthma; glaucoma; pregnancy; hypertension; infants

PO

Sleepiness(although can stimulate children), dry mouth and theoat.

Do not take with alcohol or MAO inhibitors (a type of psychiatric medication

25 to 50 mg

Can use in severe allergic reaction; however epinephrine is administered first

Ibuprofen

Nonsteroidal antiflammatory drug that reduces inflammation and fever; analgesic

Mild pain or fever, headache, muscle aches

Hypersensitivity

PO

Nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, bleeding, allergic reactions

Do not take with aspirin

200 to 400 mg every 4 to 6 hours; dose is weight-based in children

Do not takw for pain caused by trauma, weight of child is more important than age

The six rights of medications

Right patient

Right medication

Right Dose

Right route

Right Time

Right Documentation