Introduction Flashcards
(28 cards)
Adrenaline
Introduction
Presentation:
1 mg/1 mL (1:1000) ampoule
A naturally occurring sympathomimetic agent
Causes peripheral vasoconstriction
Stimulation of cardiac conduction system causes increased contractions
Causes bronchodilation and dilation of blood vessels in muscles
IV/IO: Onset 30 seconds, half-life 5 minutes, duration 5-10 minutes
IM: Onset 60 seconds, half-life 5 minutes, duration 5-10 minutes
Amiodarone
Introduction
Amiodarone is a Class III antidysrhythmic agent that prolongs the action potential duration and hence the refractory period of atrial, nodal and ventricular tissue, thereby giving a very broad spectrum of activity.
Immediate onset, peak <10min, duration 30-60mins
Aspirin
Introduction
Aspirin has the following pharmacological actions:
Analgesic
Antipyretic
Anti-inflammatory
Anti-platelet aggregation
Reduces mortality significantly in Acute Myocardial Infarction by minimising platelet aggregation and thrombus formation in order to retard the progression of coronary artery thrombosis.
Atropine
Introduction
An anticholinergic agent that inhibits the action of acetylcholine on post ganglionic nerves at the neuroeffector site. This blocks vagal stimulation to allow the sympathetic response to increase pulse rate by increasing SA node firing rate, and increasing the conduction velocity through the AV node.
An antidote to reverse the effects of cholinesterase inhibitors such as seen with organophosphate poisoning.
Cophenylcaine
Introduction
Pump spray containing:
Lidocaine (lignocaine) hydrochloride monohydrate 5%, 5 mg/spray
Phenylephrine hydrochloride 0.5%, 500 microg/spray
A topical local anaesthetic and haemorrhage control agent for the relief of surface pain, nasal and oral bleeding.
Droperidol
Introduction
Droperidol is a neuroleptic, antipsychotic agent that acts on Alpha and Dopamine receptors, resulting in sedation
Onset of effect usually 3-5 mins both IM and IV
Use of a sedative agent should never be considered routine. Have a high threshold to offer or administer.
Fentanyl
Introduction
A short acting synthetic narcotic analgesic
Fentanyl: 450 microg/1.5 mL (300 microg/mL); intra-nasal administration only
Fentanyl Citrate: 100 microg/2 mL ampoule (50 microg/mL); IV/IO only
Fentanyl Citrate: 500 microg/10 mL ampoule (50 microg/mL); IV/IO only
Glucagon
Introduction
A hyperglycaemic agent that increases blood glucose concentration by activating hepatic glucose production and decreasing GI motility
Onset: 4-7 minutes; duration 10-40 minutes
Glucose 10%
Introduction
A hypertonic crystalloid solution that provides a readily available source of energy (glucose)
Onset within 1 minute
Contains 100 mg glucose anhydrous/ml
Glucose Oral
Introduction
Oral glucose (dextrose) for rapid response to mild hypoglycaemia1,2
GTN
Introduction
Nitrates cause the relaxation of vascular smooth muscle resulting in:
Vasodilation
Peripheral pooling and reduced venous return
Reduced left ventricular end diastolic pressure (preload)
Reduced systemic vascular resistance (afterload)
Reduced myocardial energy and oxygen requirements
Relaxes spasm of coronary arteries
Heparin
Introduction
A naturally occurring anticoagulant which inhibits the clotting of blood by enhancing the rate at which antithrombin III neutralises thrombin and activated factor X (Xa).
Onset of action is immediate following IV administration.
Hydrocortisone
Introduction
Corticosteroid1
Onset of Action: 1 hour; Half-life: Variable; Duration of Action: 12 hours2,4
Normal Saline
Introduction
A sterile isotonic crystalloid solution
Ipratropium Bromide
Introduction
An anticholinergic bronchodilator. It inhibits the vagal reflexes that mediate bronchospasm
Combined with a nebulised short-acting beta-2 agonist (e.g. salbutamol), ipratropium bromide produces significantly greater bronchodilation than a short-acting beta-2 agonist alone
Ketamine
Introduction
Rapid acting dissociative anaesthetic
IM onset: 5-10 minutes
IV onset: 1 minute
Use of a sedative agent should never be considered routine. Have a high threshold to offer or administer.
Lignocaine
Introduction
Reversibly interrupt impulse conduction in peripheral nerves and stabilise excitable cell membranes by blocking Sodium Channels
Onset 1-2 minutes
Loratadine
Introduction
Second generation (less-sedating) long acting antihistamine
Methoxyflurane
Introduction
Inhaled anaesthetic1
Onset of pain relief after 6-10 inhalations2
Pain relief lasts 20-30 mins with continuous use, up to 60 mins with intermittent use1,3
Midazolam
Introduction
A water-soluble benzodiazepine that has anxiolytic, sedative and anticonvulsive characteristics. This is due to its bonding with receptors in the CNS; its action to increase the inhibitory effect of the g-aminobutyric acid (GABA) neurotransmitter on the GABA receptors and subsequent membrane threshold.
Midazolam is lipid-soluble in physiological pH and it reaches the CNS quickly.
Use of a sedative agent should never be considered routine. Have a high threshold to offer or administer.
Naloxone
Introduction
Naloxone is a pure opioid antagonist that exerts its effect by competitive inhibition at the opioid receptor sites. It prevents or reverses the effects of opioids, including respiratory depression, sedation and hypotension. In the absence of opioids, it exhibits essentially no pharmacological activity.
Olanzapine
Introduction
Olanzapine is a second generation antipsychotic agent that acts on multiple receptors (incl. serotonin and dopamine receptors), resulting in sedation
Onset of effect usually ~ 10 mins.
Use of a sedative agent should never be considered routine. Have a high threshold to offer or administer.
Ondansetron
Introduction
Antiemetic. Central and peripheral 5HT3 antagonist.1
Oral:
Onset of Action: 15 - 30 mins; Half-life: 4 - 11 hrs; Duration of Action: 4 - 8 hrs
IM:
Onset of Action: 10 - 15 mins; Half-life: 2.5 - 6 hrs; Duration of Action: 4 - 8 hrs
IV:
Onset of Action: 3 - 5 mins; Half-life: 2.5 - 6 hrs; Duration of Action: 4 - 8 hrs
Oxygen
Introduction
Oxygen is a treatment for hypoxaemia and has not been shown to have any effect on breathlessness in non-hypoxaemic patients.
