Paramedic Drug Cards: Activated Charcoal

Activated Charcoal

• Trade Names: Actidose, Super Char, Charcodate, Liqui-Char, Aqua-Char
• Classification: Antidote, Adsorbent
• Action: Adsorbs poisons, limiting absorption in oral poisonings and non-caustic overdoses
• Contraindications: Avoid in caustic acids, alkalis, iron tablets, lithium, and ETOH overdose
• Side Effects: Potential constipation and vomiting
• Dosage: 1 gm/kg PO or via NG/OG tube

Adenosine

• Trade Name: Adenocard
• Classification: Antiarrhythmic
• Action: Slows supraventricular tachycardia by interrupting AV node pathways
• Indication: PSVT rhythm after vagal maneuvers
• Contraindications: 2nd & 3rd degree AV heart block, Sick Sinus Syndrome, A-Fib
• Side Effects: Possible syncope, chest pain, flushing, and dizziness
• Dosage: Adult - 6mg IV push; repeat 12mg if needed; Pediatric - 0.1mg/kg

Albuterol

• Trade Names: Proventil, Ventolin
• Classification: Bronchodilator, Sympathomimetic
• Action: Relaxes bronchial smooth muscle via beta2-adrenergic agonism
• Indications: Asthma and reversible obstructive airway disease
• Contraindications: Relative to symptoms; includes dysrhythmias, angina, HTN
• Side Effects: Tremors, anxiety, palpitations
• Dosage: Adult - 2.5mg/3ml; Pediatric - 2.5mg > 1 year old

Amiodarone

• Trade Name: Cordarone
• Classification: Antiarrhythmic
• Action: Prolongs cardiac action potential and increases refractory period
• Indication: V-Fib/V-Tach pulseless
• Contraindications: Hypersensitivity
• Side Effects: Potential lung and liver problems
• Dosage: Adult - 150-300 mg IV; Pediatric - 5mg/kg IV/IO

Amyl Nitrate

• Trade Name: Vaporole
• Classification: Vasodilator, Cyanide antidote
• Action: Converts hemoglobin to methemoglobin, causing vasodilation
• Indication: Cyanide poisoning
• Side Effects: Hypotension, headaches, nausea
• Dosage: 0.3ml or an amyl nitrate glass pearl

Aspirin

• Trade Names: ASA, Baby Aspirin, Bayer
• Classification: Anti-platelet, NSAID
• Action: Decreases platelet aggregation, prolongs clotting time
• Indications: MI, coronary artery disease, pericarditis
• Contraindications: Hypersensitivity, ongoing anticoagulant therapy
• Side Effects: Heartburn, tinnitus, nausea
• Dosage: 160-325mg chewable

Atropine Sulfate

• Trade Name: Atropine
• Classification: Anticholinergic agent
• Action: Increases heart rate and contractility
• Indications: Symptomatic bradycardia and organophosphate poisoning
• Contraindications: Hypersensitivity, tachycardia, AV heart block
• Side Effects: Dizziness, dry mouth, nausea
• Dosage: Adult - 0.5mg IV; Pediatric - 0.02mg/kg

Diazepam

• Trade Name: Valium
• Classification: Benzodiazepine, Anticonvulsant
• Action: Relaxes CNS, provides antianxiety and anticonvulsant effects
• Indications: Status epilepticus, severe anxiety
• Contraindications: CNS depression, hypersensitivity
• Side Effects: Respiratory depression, confusion
• Dosage: Adult - 5-20mg IV; Pediatric - 0.1mg/kg

Diphenhydramine

• Trade Name: Benadryl
• Classification: Antihistamine
• Action: Blocks H1 histamine receptors
• Indications: Anaphylaxis, allergic reactions
• Contraindications: Asthma, hypersensitivity
• Side Effects: Drowsiness, hypotension, thickened bronchial secretions
• Dosage: Adult - 25-50mg IM/IV; Pediatric - 1-2mg/kg

Dopamine

• Trade Name: Intropin
• Classification: Sympathomimetic, Inotrope
• Action: Stimulates dopaminergic and adrenergic receptors
• Indication: Cardiogenic shock and hypotension
• Contraindications: Hypersensitivity, V-Fib
• Side Effects: Hypertension, nausea
• Dosage: Adult/Pediatric - 800mg in 500cc D5W or NS

Dextrose 5%

• Classification: Hypotonic solution
• Indications: Mixing medications like lidocaine and dopamine
• Cautions: Use cautiously as main IV fluid

Epinephrine 1-1,000

• Trade Name: Adrenalin 1-1,000
• Classification: Bronchodilator, cardiac stimulant
• Action: Relieves bronchial edema, increases HR
• Indications: Anaphylaxis, asthmatic reactions
• Side Effects: Tremors, palpitations
• Dosage: Adult - 0.3-0.5mg SQ; Pediatric - 0.01mg/kg

Epinephrine 1-10,000

• Trade Name: Adrenalin 1-10,000
• Classification: Cardiac stimulant
• Action: Increases cardiac activity and blood pressure
• Indications: Cardiac arrest scenarios
• Side Effects: Hypertension
• Dosage: Adult - 0.5-1mg IV; Pediatric - 0.01mg/kg

Fentanyl

• Trade Name: Sublimaze
• Classification: Opioid analgesic
• Action: Bind to receptors for pain relief
• Indications: Pain control and RSI
• Contraindications: Hypotension and respiratory depression
• Side Effects: Respiratory depression, bradycardia
• Dosage: Adult - 25-50mcg IV; Pediatric - 0.5-1mcg/kg

Furosemide

• Trade Name: Lasix
• Classification: Loop diuretic
• Action: Inhibits sodium and chloride reabsorption in kidneys
• Indications: Pulmonary edema, CHF
• Contraindications: Pregnancy, hypovolemia
• Side Effects: Dehydration, hypotension
• Dosage: Adult - 20-80mg IV; Pediatric - 1mg/kg

Glucagon

• Trade Name: GlucaGen
• Classification: Pancreatic hormone
• Action: Raises glucose level through liver glycogen
• Indication: Hypoglycemia
• Side Effects: Hypotension, nausea
• Dosage: Adult - 1mg IM/IV; Pediatric - 0.02-0.03mg/kg

Glucose or Dextrose

• Trade Name: D 50, 50% Dextrose
• Classification: Carbohydrate
• Indication: Hypoglycemia
• Contraindications: Intracranial hemorrhage
• Dosage: Adult - 25-50g IV; Pediatric - 0.5-1gm/kg

Haloperidol

• Trade Name: Haldol
• Classification: Antipsychotic
• Action: Blocks dopamine receptors in the brain
• Indications: Acute psychotic episodes
• Contraindications: CNS depression and severe toxic states
• Side Effects: Orthostatic hypotension, blurred vision
• Dosage: Adult - 5-10mg IM/IV

Hydroxocobalamin

• Trade Name: Cyanokit
• Classification: Cyanide antidote
• Action: Combines with cyanide for excretion
• Indication: Cyanide exposure
• Side Effects: Red skin discoloration, transient hypertension
• Dosage: Adult - 5g infused over 15 minutes; Pediatric contact medical control

Ibuprofen

• Trade Names: Advil, Motrin
• Classification: Non-narcotic analgesic
• Action: Inhibits prostaglandin synthesis for pain relief and reduction of inflammation
• Indications: Fever and pain
• Contraindications: Hypersensitivity
• Dosage: Adult - 200-800mg; Pediatric - 10mg/kg

Lactated Ringers

• Trade Name: LR
• Classification: Isotonic fluid
• Action: Aids fluid replacement for dehydration
• Indications: IV maintenance and electrolyte replacement
• Dosage: Adult - 200-500cc; Pediatric - 20cc/kg

Lidocaine HCL

• Trade Names: Xylocaine, Xylocard
• Classification: Antiarrhythmic agent
• Action: Decreases cardiac depolarization and automaticity
• Indications: V-Fib, V-Tach
• Contraindications: Bradycardia, AV heart blocks
• Dosage: For both Adult & Pediatric - 0.75-1.5mg/kg IV every 3-5min

Lorazepam

• Trade Name: Ativan
• Classification: Benzodiazepine
• Action: Provides sedation and seizure control
• Indications: Seizures, chemical restraint
• Contraindications: CNS depression