medications

Question 1

Diphenhydramine

Answer 1

Trade name: Benadryl

MOA: helps with allergic reactions

Indications:
-Allergic dermatitis
-hypersensitivity reactions
-allergic reactions
-sleep disorders
-allergic rhinitis
-motion sickness
-treatment of drug induced extrapyramidal reactions

Contraindications:
-Neonates or premature infants

Medication forms:
-Capsule
-tablets
-chewable tablets
-liquid
-injection
-topical cream

Dosage and route:
25-50 mg PO (oral route) every 4-8 hours

Question 2

Oral glucose

Answer 2

Trade name: Insta-glucose and Glutose

MOA: Elevated blood glucose level

Indications: Altered mental status with low blood glucose less than 60 mg or history of diabetes

Contraindications:
-Decreased level of consciousness
-Unable to swallow or protect airway
-Nausea and vomiting

Medication form: gel

Dosage and route: 1 tube (15 mg) applied to bite stick or tongue depressor applied between cheek and gum, facing the cheek

Question 3

Activated charooal

Answer 3

Trade name: Actichar

MOA: Binds toxic substances from the gastrointestinal tract, onset of action is immediate

Indications: Oral poisoning

Contraindications:
-Oral administration to comatose patient
-After ingestion of corrosives
-Caustics
-Petroleum distillates
-Simultaneous administration with other oral drugs

Medication forms:
-25 g per 125 mL bottle
-50 g per 250 mL bottle
-1 part charcoal/4 parts water

Dosage and route: 1-2 grams per Kg of patients weight PO (oral)

Question 4

Albuterol

Answer 4

Trade name: Ventolin and Proventil

MOA: Relaxes smooth muscles in the bronchial tree causing bronchodilation

Indications:
-Respiratory distress caused by bronchoconstriction
-Wheezing

Contraindications:
-Allergic
-Maximum dose administered
-Rapid heart rate

Medication forms:
-Metered dose inhaler (MDI)
-Liquid for nebulizer

Dosage and route:
-Metered dose inhaler= 2 puffs 1-2 minutes apart
-Nebulizer= 2.5 mg nebulizer

Question 5

Aspirin

Answer 5

Trade name: Bayer and St Joseph

MOA: Inhibit clotting

Indications: Cardiac chest pain of new onset

Contraindications:
-Allergic
-Internal bleeding
-Asthma

Medication forms:
-81 mg chewable tablets
-160 mg tablets
-325 mg tablets

Dosage and route: 160-325 mg PO (oral)

Question 6

Epinephrine

Answer 6

Trade name: EpiPen and Twinject

MOA:
-Vasoconstriction
-Smooth muscle relaxation of the bronchioles

Indications: Severe allergic reaction with associated hypotension and/or respiratory distress

Contraindications: Not a life threatening emergency, however contact medical control

Medication forms: autoinjector

Dosage and route: 1 autoinjector- adult is .3 mg and pediatric is .15 mg

Question 7

Nitroglycerin

Answer 7

Trade name: Nitrostat

MOA: Coronary vessel vasodilation, decreases work load of the heart. Dilates vessels

Indications: Cardiac chest pain

Contraindications:
-Blood pressure less than 100
-Head injury
-Taken an ED within 24 hours
-Maximum dose taken in 30 minutes

Medication forms: tablet or spray can be administered by EMTs

Dosage and route: Tablets- .3-.4 mg SL (under the tongue) every 3-5 minutes to a maximum dose of 3 tablets. Spray- .4mg SL every 3-5 minutes to a maximum dose of 3 sprays