Paramedic Drugs

Front 1

Albuterol (Proventil, Ventolin)
Class

Back 1

Sympathomimetic, bronchodilator

Front 2

Albuterol (Proventil, Ventolin)
Mechanism of Action

Back 2

Selective beta-2 agonist that stimulates adrenergic receptors of the sympathetic nervous system resulting in smooth muscle relaxation in the bronchial tree and peripheral vasculature.

Front 3

Albuterol (Proventil, Ventolin)
Indications

Back 3

Treatment of bronchospasm in patients with reversible obstructive airway disease (COPD/asthma). Prevention of exercise-induced bronchospasm.

Front 4

Albuterol (Proventil, Ventolin)
Contraindications

Back 4

Known prior sensitivity reactions to albuterol. Tachycardia arrhythmias, especially those caused by digitalis. Synergistic with other sympathomimetics. Heart rate > 160 bpm.

Front 5

Albuterol (Proventil, Ventolin)
Adverse Reactions

Back 5

Often dose-related and include restlessness, tremors, dizziness, palpitations, tachycardia, nervousness, peripheral vasodilation, nausea, vomiting, hyperglycemia, increased blood pressure, and paradoxical bronchospasm.

Front 6

Albuterol (Proventil, Ventolin)
Drug Interactions

Back 6

Tricyclic antidepressants may potentiate vasculature effects. Beta blockers are antagonistic. May potentiate hypokalemia caused by diuretics.

Front 7

Albuterol (Proventil, Ventolin)
Dosages/Routes

Back 7

Adult: Administer 2.5 mg. Dilute 0.5 mL of 0.5% solution for inhalation with 2.5 mL NS in nebulizer and administer over 10-15 minutes. MDI: 1-2 inhalations (90-180μg). Five minutes between inhalations.

Peds: Administer solution of 0.01-0.03 mL (0.05-0.15 mg/kg/dose) diluted in 2 mL of 0.9% NS. May repeat every 20 minutes three times.

Front 8

Ipratropium Bromide (Atrovent)
Class

Back 8

Anticholinergic

Front 9

Ipratropium Bromide (Atrovent)
Mechanism of Action

Back 9

Bronchodilator used in the treatment of respiratory emergencies that causes bronchial dilation and dries respiratory secretions by blocking acetylcholine receptors.

Front 10

Ipratropium Bromide (Atrovent)
Indications

Back 10

Bronchospams associated with asthma, COPD, and inhaled irritants.

Front 11

Ipratropium Bromide (Atrovent)
Contraindications

Back 11

Hypersensitivity to Atropine or its derivatives, or as a primary treatment for bronchospasms. Peanut allergy.

Precautions: Elderly, cardiovascular disease, or hypertension.

Front 12

Ipratropium Bromide (Atrovent)
Dosages/Routes

Back 12

Adult: 500 mcg (0.5 mg) in 2.5-3 mL NS via nebulizer or 2 sprays from MDI.

Peds: 125-250 mcg in 2.5-3 mL NS via nebulizer or 1-2 sprays from MDI.

Front 13

Magnesium Sulfate
Class

Back 13

Electrolyte

Front 14

Magnesium Sulfate
Mechanism of Action

Back 14

Reduces striated muscle contractions and blocks peripheral neuromuscular transmission by reducing acetylcholine release at the myoneural junction, manages seizures in toxemia of pregnancy, induces uterine relaxation, can cause bronchodilation after beta-agonists and anticholinergics have been used.

Front 15

Magnesium Sulfate
Indications

Back 15

Seizures of eclampsia (toxemia of pregnancy), torsades de pointes, hypomagnesemia, Class IIa agent for V-fib/pulseless V-tach that is refractory to lidocaine.

Front 16

Magnesium Sulfate
Contraindications

Back 16

Heart blocks, myocardial damage.

Front 17

Magnesium Sulfate
Adverse Reactions

Back 17

CNS depression, facial flushing, diaphoresis, despressed reflexes, circulatory collapse, hypotension.

Front 18

Magnesium Sulfate
Drug Interactions

Back 18

May enhance effects of other CNS depressants, serious changes in overall cardiac function may occur with cardiac glycosides.

Front 19

Magnesium Sulfate
Dosages/Routes

Back 19

Adult: Seizure activity associated with pregnancy: 1-4 g IV/IO over 3 minutes; maximum dose of 30-40 g/day. Cardiac arrest due to hypomagnesemia or torsades de pointes: 1-2 g (2-4 mL of a 50% solution) diluted in 10 mL of D5W IV/IO over 5-20 minutes. Torsades de pointes with a pulse or AMI with hypomagnesemia: Loading dose of 1-2 g mixed in 50-100 mL D5W over 5-60 minutes IV. Follow with 0.5-1 g/hr IV (titrate to control torsades de pointes).

Peds: IV/IO infusion: 25-50 mg/kg (maximum dose: 2 g) over 10-20 minutes; faster for torsades de pointes. For asthma: 25-50 mg/kg (maximum dose: 2 g) over 10-20 minutes.

Front 20

Methylprednisolone (Solu-Medrol)
Class

Back 20

Anti-inflammatory glucocorticoid

Front 21

Methylprednisolone (Solu-Medrol)
Mechanism of Action

Back 21

Synthetic corticosteroid that suppresses acute and chronic inflammation; potentiates vascular smooth muscle relaxation by beta-adrenergic agonists.

Front 22

Methylprednisolone (Solu-Medrol)
Indications

Back 22

Acute spinal cord trauma, anaphylaxis, bronchodilator for unresponsive asthma.

Front 23

Methylprednisolone (Solu-Medrol)
Contraindications

Back 23

Premature infants, systemic fungal infections; use with caution in patients with gastrointestinal bleeding.

Front 24

Methylprednisolone (Solu-Medrol)
Adverse Reactions

Back 24

Headache, hypertension, sodium and water retention, CHF, hypokalemia, alkalosis, peptic ulcer disease, nausea, vomiting.

Front 25

Methylprednisolone (Solu-Medrol)
Drug Interactions

Back 25

Hypoglycemic responses to insulin and hypoglycemic agents may be blunted. Potassium-depleting agents may exacerbate hypokalemic effects.

Front 26

Methylprednisolone (Solu-Medrol)
Dosages/Routes

Back 26

Adult: Acute spinal cord injury: 30 mg/kg IV over 30 minutes followed by infusion: 5.4 mg/kg/h. Asthma/COPD: 1-2 mg/kg IV.

Peds: Acute spinal cord trauma: 30 mg/kg IV over 30 minutes; infusion: 5.4 mg/kg/h. Asthma: 1-2 mg/kg/dose IV.