Pharmacology Quiz: Acetaminophen and Norepinephrine

Acetaminophen (Tylenol)

• Classification: Non-narcotic analgesic and antipyretic
• Action: Inhibits cyclooxygenase
• Indications:
  • Mild pain
  • Moderate pain
  • Fever
• Dose and Route:
  • 325-650mg every 4-6 hours (PO)
  • 650-1000mg (IV)
  • PED: 10-15mg/kg every 4-6 hours
• Warnings and Interactions:
  • Use with caution in children
  • Monitor BP and establish IV access
  • Syncope can occur
• Side Effects:
  • Hypotension
  • Dizziness
  • Nausea

Norepinephrine (Levophed)

• Classification: Sympathomimetic
• Action: Causes peripheral vasoconstriction
• Indications:
  • Systolic BP < 0.5 mEq/kg
  • Hyperventilation
  • Cardiac Arrest
  • Hyperkalemia
• Dose and Route:
  • Every 10 minutes (IV)
• Warnings and Interactions:
  • Delivers large sodium load
  • Can deactivate catecholamines
• Side Effects:
  • Alkalosis

Succinylcholine (Anectine)

• Classification: Neuromuscular blocking agent (Depolarizing)
• Action: Skeletal muscle relaxer
• Indications:
  • RSI (Rapid Sequence Intubation)
• Dose and Route:
  • 1-1.5 mg/kg IV (40-100 mg)
• Warnings and Interactions:
  • Paralysis occurs within 1 minute and lasts 8 minutes
• Side Effects:
  • Hypotension
  • Bradycardia
  • Prolonged paralysis

Tranexamic Acid (TXA)

• Classification: Anti-fibrinolytic
• Action: Promotes clotting factor
• Indications:
  • Multisystem Trauma
• Dose and Route:
  • 1-2g over 10 minutes (IV)
• Warnings and Interactions:
  • Contraindicated in brain bleed
• Side Effects:
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Muscle pain

Vasopressin

• Classification: Hormone/Vasoconstrictor
• Action: Antidiuretic hormone and potent vasoconstrictor
• Indications:
  • Cardiac Arrest
• Dose and Route:
  • 40 Units IV (Single Dose)
• Warnings and Interactions:
  • No contraindications in emergency setting
• Side Effects:
  • Blanching of skin
  • Hypertension
  • Bradycardia

Vecuronium (Norcuron)

• Classification: Neuromuscular Block Agent (Non-Depolarizing)
• Action: Skeletal muscle relaxant
• Indications:
  • RSI (Rapid Sequence Intubation)
• Dose and Route:
  • 0.08-0.1 mg/kg IV (PEDIATRIC: 0.1 mg/kg IV)
• Warnings and Interactions:
  • ET intubation must be ready immediately
  • Effect within 1 minute and lasts 30 minutes
• Side Effects:
  • Prolonged paralysis
  • Hypotension
  • Bradycardia

Test your knowledge on the classification, actions, indications, and side effects of Acetaminophen and Norepinephrine, two commonly used medications.