PARAMEDIC MEDICATIONS
,ACTIVATED CHARCOAL
(Actidose, EZ-Char) Class of drug: Adsorbent
Action: Chemical attaches to the surface of the charcoal and becomes trapped
Indications: Oral toxic ingestion, poisoning, or overdose in conscious and awake patient within 1
hour of ingestion. (Consider contacting poison control and/or medical control prior to
administration)
Contraindications: Altered mental status with depressed gag reflex; ingested cyanide, corrosives,
caustics, or petroleum distillates; hypersensitivity to ACE inhibitors; impaired renal function;
hypotension; pregnancy
Side effects: Constipation
Special considerations: Be sure to mix well before administration due to separation while being
stored.
Adult dose: 25-50 Grams PO or NG
Packaged: 50 Grams in 240 ml bottle
ADENOSINE
(Adenocard) Class: Antidysrhythmic
Action: Slows the conduction of electrical impulses at the AV node
,Indication: Stable SVT; Wide complex tachycardia of unknown etiology
Contraindications: 2° or 3° heart blocks; sick sinus syndrome; asthma
Side effects: Sense of impending doom, flushing, chest pressure, throat tightness, numbness
Special considerations: Patients may have a brief episode of Asystole after administration; use
caution in patients on Dipyradamole and carbamazepine as they can potentiate the affects of
adenosine, thus requiring a lower dose.
Adult dose: 6 mg rapid IVP followed by 20 ml NS flush; Repeat at 12 mg rapid IVP followed by 20
ml NS flush; 2 minute intervals between doses if patient does not convert; May also be
administered IO
**Use proximal site with large bore IV. Half-life of adenosine is less than 10 seconds**
Packaged: 6 mg/2 ml vial
ALBUTEROL
(Proventil, Ventolin) Class: Bronchodilator, beta agonist
Action: Binds and stimulates beta2 receptors resulting in relaxation of bronchial smooth muscle
Indication: Bronchospasm associated with asthma, bronchitis, COPD, allergic reaction
Contraindications: Tachydysrhythmias
, Side effects: Tachydysrhythmias, anxiety, nausea, vomiting
Special considerations: N/A
Adult dose: 2.5 mg UDN; may repeat as needed
Packaged: 2.5 mg/3 ml fish
AMIODARONE
(Cordarone) Class: Antiarrhythmic
Action: Acts directly on the myocardium to delay repolarization and increase the duration of the
action potential.
Indication: Ventricular arrhythmias
Contraindications: Cardiogenic shock, sick sinus syndrome, Bradycardia, 2° or 3° AV block
Side effects: Bradycardia, hypotension,
Special considerations: N/A
Adult dose: Ventricular Fibrillation and Pulseless Ventricular Tachycardia:
300 mg IV/IO; May be repeated one time at 150 mg in 3-5 minutes
Stable wide complex tachycardia:
150 mg in 100 ml D5W IV/IO over 10 minutes; may repeat in 10 minutes
,ACTIVATED CHARCOAL
(Actidose, EZ-Char) Class of drug: Adsorbent
Action: Chemical attaches to the surface of the charcoal and becomes trapped
Indications: Oral toxic ingestion, poisoning, or overdose in conscious and awake patient within 1
hour of ingestion. (Consider contacting poison control and/or medical control prior to
administration)
Contraindications: Altered mental status with depressed gag reflex; ingested cyanide, corrosives,
caustics, or petroleum distillates; hypersensitivity to ACE inhibitors; impaired renal function;
hypotension; pregnancy
Side effects: Constipation
Special considerations: Be sure to mix well before administration due to separation while being
stored.
Adult dose: 25-50 Grams PO or NG
Packaged: 50 Grams in 240 ml bottle
ADENOSINE
(Adenocard) Class: Antidysrhythmic
Action: Slows the conduction of electrical impulses at the AV node
,Indication: Stable SVT; Wide complex tachycardia of unknown etiology
Contraindications: 2° or 3° heart blocks; sick sinus syndrome; asthma
Side effects: Sense of impending doom, flushing, chest pressure, throat tightness, numbness
Special considerations: Patients may have a brief episode of Asystole after administration; use
caution in patients on Dipyradamole and carbamazepine as they can potentiate the affects of
adenosine, thus requiring a lower dose.
Adult dose: 6 mg rapid IVP followed by 20 ml NS flush; Repeat at 12 mg rapid IVP followed by 20
ml NS flush; 2 minute intervals between doses if patient does not convert; May also be
administered IO
**Use proximal site with large bore IV. Half-life of adenosine is less than 10 seconds**
Packaged: 6 mg/2 ml vial
ALBUTEROL
(Proventil, Ventolin) Class: Bronchodilator, beta agonist
Action: Binds and stimulates beta2 receptors resulting in relaxation of bronchial smooth muscle
Indication: Bronchospasm associated with asthma, bronchitis, COPD, allergic reaction
Contraindications: Tachydysrhythmias
, Side effects: Tachydysrhythmias, anxiety, nausea, vomiting
Special considerations: N/A
Adult dose: 2.5 mg UDN; may repeat as needed
Packaged: 2.5 mg/3 ml fish
AMIODARONE
(Cordarone) Class: Antiarrhythmic
Action: Acts directly on the myocardium to delay repolarization and increase the duration of the
action potential.
Indication: Ventricular arrhythmias
Contraindications: Cardiogenic shock, sick sinus syndrome, Bradycardia, 2° or 3° AV block
Side effects: Bradycardia, hypotension,
Special considerations: N/A
Adult dose: Ventricular Fibrillation and Pulseless Ventricular Tachycardia:
300 mg IV/IO; May be repeated one time at 150 mg in 3-5 minutes
Stable wide complex tachycardia:
150 mg in 100 ml D5W IV/IO over 10 minutes; may repeat in 10 minutes
