EMT Pharmacology
Rights of Medication
Forms of Medication
Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, Nuprin)
Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
Benadryl (Diphenhydramine)
Aspirin (Bayer)
Oral Glucose
Nitroglycerin
Naloxone (Narcan)
Epinephrine (EpiPen)
Atrovent (Ipratropium)
Right Patient
Ensure correct patient is receiving correct medications
Don't use medication prescribed to somebody else!
Right Medication/Indications
ensure proper indicators/contraindicators for patient and specific meds
Right Dose
verify form and dose of medication
read labels to understand concentrations
Right Route
make sure route of administration matches orders received
Right Time
check expiration date
cloudiness, particles, discoloration = 🚫 NO GO
reassess patient to see if meds worked or if still needed
Right Documentation
document all findings & responses at each step
If its not documented, it didn't happen!
Topical Medications: applied directly to surface of skin, only affects area that is in contact with (lotions, creams, ointments)
-Lotions: contain mostly water, absorbed most rapidly
-Ointments: contain least amount of water, absorbed slowest
Action: anti-inflammatory, anti-fever, prevents new
platelets from clumping
Indications: headaches, muscle aches, fever, chest pain
Contraindications: hypertensive, recent bleeding
Adverse Affects: Nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, bleeding, allergic reaction
Interactions: use caution when patient taking
anticoagulants
Dose: 160-325mg PO (Orally)
Concerns: do not use for pain caused by trauma
Not for child fevers
Patient must be alert & aware to chew/swallow tablet
Action: stimulates nervous system causing bronchodilation
Indicators: Anaphylactic reaction
Contraindicators: chest pain, hypertension, hypothermia
Adverse Effects: hypertension, tachycardia, anxiety, restlessness
Interactions: increase effects of other NS stimulants
Dose: 0.3mg Adult 0.15mg Child, Intramuscular Injection
Concerns: lasts aprx. 5min, do not repeat dose, call for ALS
Action: glucose provides fuel for cells
Indicators: hypoglycemia
Contraindicators: decreased lvl of consciousness, vomiting, nausea
Dose: 1 tube PO (Orally)
Concerns: patient must be alert & aware, capable of following instructions, clear airway
Action: reverses respiratory depression caused by opioid overdose
Indicators: opioid OD, shallow breathing, pinpoint pupils, low BP, unconscious
Contraindicators: Hypertensive
Adverse Effects: nausea, vomiting
Interactions: additional doses may be needed for severe OD, patient likely to wake up combative
Dose: 2mg or 4mg. Intranasal (IN) Intramuscular (IM)
Action: analgesic and fever reducer
Indicators: mild pain, fever, headache, muscle aches
Contraindicators: hypertensive
Adverse Reaction: allergic reaction
Concerns: many OTC contain acetaminophen, take caution not to OD
Dose: 500-1000mg every 4hr as needed PO (Orally)
-weight of child more important than age for dosage
Action: dilates blood vessels
Indicators: chest pain of chronic origin
Contraindicators: hypotension, ED meds, head injuries
Adverse Effects: headaches, burning under tongue, hypotension, nausea
Concerns: ensure ALS is in route
Dose: 0.3-0.4mg Sublingual, Tablet, Transdermal, Spray
Action: antihistamine, reduces swelling
Indications: mild allergic reaction
Contraindications: hypertension, asthma, pregnancy, glaucoma, infants
Adverse Effects: sleepiness in adults, dry mouth and throat
Interactions: do not take w/ alcohol or MAO inhibitors (psychiatric med.)
Dose: 25-50mg PO (orally)
Concerns: can use in severe allergic reactions only AFTER epinephrine
Action: fast acting inhaler medication that stimulates the nervous system causing bronchodilation
Indicators: asthma and difficulty breathing w/ wheezing, bronchospasms
Contraindicators: hypersensitivity, chest pain, tachycardia
Adverse Effects: tachycardia, hypertension, anxiety, restlessness
Interactions: increase effects of other nervous system stimulants
Dose: 1-2 inhalations every 5 min as needed
-Metered Dose Inhaler (MDI)
Action: Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID), reduces inflammation and fever, analgesic
Indicators: mild pain, fever, headaches, muscles aches
Contraindicators: hypersensitivity
Adverse Reactions: nausea, vomiting stomach pain, bleeding, allergic reaction
Concerns: do not take for trauma
Dose: 200-400mg every 4 hrs as needed (PO)
-weight of child more important than age
Interactions: do not take w/ Aspirin
Transcutaneous Medications: pastes/gels designed to be absorbed through the skin, into blood stream and have a whole-body/systematic affect
-slow absorption with prolonged effects
-usually applied w/ patches
-providers use caution not to get on own skin; will be absorbed and will take effect
Metered Dose Inhalers: canister of compressed gas used to spray medication to be inhaled into the lungs
-medication broken down into small enough particles to be inhaled
-primarily used for lung specific illness/issues
-MDI delivers same dosage with each use
-shake MDI vigorously before use due to suspended particles
Gels: viscous semiliquid substance given PO for ingestion
-may come out of tube or in a capsule (Oral Glucose)
-thick and sticky
Solutions and Suspensions
Gasses for Inhalation: gaseous substance like Oxygen inhaled into lungs
-administered via nasal cannula, nonrebreather mask, bag-valve mask
-delivered at specific air flow rates, Ex.) 15L/min.
Tablets & Capsules: medications given in a small capsule filled w/ powder or a liquid or medication in pills made of compressed powder
-both designed to dissolve in water or digestive fluids
-taken PO (slow absorption) or Sublingual (rapid absorption)
Solutions: liquid mixture of substances that cannot be separated by filtration or letting stand
-Given orally: absorbed quickly because medication already in liquid form
-Can also be given Intravenously (IV), Intramuscular (IM), or by subcutaneous injection (under the skin like vaccines)
Suspensions: liquid mixture of substances that will separate if filtered or let stand
-important to shake solution well before administering to patient
-can be given PO, rectal administration, lotion, Intramuscular, Subcutaneous injection
-Never given via IV, suspended particles do not dissolve completely and risk causing blockage/damage