AHA PALS Medication Guide: Indications, Effects, Doses Key Drugs
Drug Indications Effects Dose
Adenosine Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) Slows conduction through the AV node 6 mg
rapid IV push, may repeat with 12 mg if needed
Amiodarone Ventricular fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia Antiarrhythmic, prolongs action potential
300 mg IV push for VF, 150 mg for recurrent VT
Atropine Symptomatic bradycardia Increases heart rate by blocking vagal effects 0.5 mg IV
every 3-5 minutes, max 3 mg
Calcium Chloride Hyperkalemia, hypocalcemia, calcium channel blocker overdose Increases
myocardial contractility 1 g IV over 5-10 minutes
Epinephrine Cardiac arrest, anaphylaxis Increases heart rate, vasoconstriction 1 mg IV/IO every 3-5
minutes during CPR
Glucose Hypoglycemia Increases blood sugar levels 25 g IV push (D50W) or 10%
dextrose
Lidocaine Ventricular arrhythmias Stabilizes cardiac membranes 1-1.5 mg/kg IV bolus, repeat 0.5-
0.75 mg/kg
Magnesium Sulfate Torsades de pointes, hypomagnesemia Stabilizes cardiac rhythm 1-2 g IV
over 15 minutes
Naloxone Opioid overdose Reverses effects of opioids 0.4-2 mg IV/IM/SC, may repeat
every 2-3 minutes
Procainamide Ventricular arrhythmias Antiarrhythmic, slows conduction 20 mg/min IV until
arrhythmia is suppressed or max 17 mg/kg
Sodium Bicarbonate Metabolic acidosis, hyperkalemia Increases blood pH, reduces acidosis 1 mEq/kg
IV bolus, may repeat based on ABG results
Key Terms/Concepts
AHA PALS: Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support for Pediatric patients, focusing on the management of
critically ill children.
IV Push: A method of administering medication directly into the bloodstream via an intravenous line.
Facts to Memorize
Adenosine: 6 mg IV push, may repeat with 12 mg if needed.
Amiodarone: 300 mg IV push for first dose, 150 mg for second dose.
Drug Indications Effects Dose
Adenosine Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) Slows conduction through the AV node 6 mg
rapid IV push, may repeat with 12 mg if needed
Amiodarone Ventricular fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia Antiarrhythmic, prolongs action potential
300 mg IV push for VF, 150 mg for recurrent VT
Atropine Symptomatic bradycardia Increases heart rate by blocking vagal effects 0.5 mg IV
every 3-5 minutes, max 3 mg
Calcium Chloride Hyperkalemia, hypocalcemia, calcium channel blocker overdose Increases
myocardial contractility 1 g IV over 5-10 minutes
Epinephrine Cardiac arrest, anaphylaxis Increases heart rate, vasoconstriction 1 mg IV/IO every 3-5
minutes during CPR
Glucose Hypoglycemia Increases blood sugar levels 25 g IV push (D50W) or 10%
dextrose
Lidocaine Ventricular arrhythmias Stabilizes cardiac membranes 1-1.5 mg/kg IV bolus, repeat 0.5-
0.75 mg/kg
Magnesium Sulfate Torsades de pointes, hypomagnesemia Stabilizes cardiac rhythm 1-2 g IV
over 15 minutes
Naloxone Opioid overdose Reverses effects of opioids 0.4-2 mg IV/IM/SC, may repeat
every 2-3 minutes
Procainamide Ventricular arrhythmias Antiarrhythmic, slows conduction 20 mg/min IV until
arrhythmia is suppressed or max 17 mg/kg
Sodium Bicarbonate Metabolic acidosis, hyperkalemia Increases blood pH, reduces acidosis 1 mEq/kg
IV bolus, may repeat based on ABG results
Key Terms/Concepts
AHA PALS: Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support for Pediatric patients, focusing on the management of
critically ill children.
IV Push: A method of administering medication directly into the bloodstream via an intravenous line.
Facts to Memorize
Adenosine: 6 mg IV push, may repeat with 12 mg if needed.
Amiodarone: 300 mg IV push for first dose, 150 mg for second dose.
