Drug Profiles: Aspirin, Activated Charcoal

Question 1

activated charcoal

side effects

Answer 1

abdominal cramping, constipation

Question 2

aspirin

pharmacokinetics

Answer 2

Onset: 5– 30 min.

Peak: 15 min.-2 hours

Question 2

aspirin

dosage

Answer 2

324 mg

(four baby chewable aspirin)

Question 2

activated charcoal

class

Answer 2

adsorbent

Question 3

activated charcoal

mechanism of action

Answer 3

Adsorbs toxin molecules to the outside surface of charcoal. The combined complex is then excreted from the body.

Question 5

aspirin

precautions

Answer 5

None in prehospital setting.

Question 6

aspirin

side effects

Answer 6

There are few significant side effects to one dose of aspirin.

Question 7

aspirin

mechanism of action

Answer 7

Inhibits the production of certain prostaglandins, which accounts for it’s antiplatelet, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, and analgesic actions.

Aspirin inhibits platelet aggregation for the life of the platelet (7 to 10 days).

Question 8

aspirin

note

Answer 8

Aspirin given at the onset of an acute MI reduces mortality and is one of the most effective treatments medics can offer. Don’t forget to give aspirin to patients with cardiac chest pain!

Question 9

aspirin

contraindications

Answer 9

confirmed allergy, active G.I. bleeding, suspected aortic dissection

(Local protocols may permit administration of ASA to patients on anticoagulants, although it is not an actual contraindication since warfarin does not inhibit platelet aggregation).

Children or adolescents with viral infection should not take aspirin (Reye’s syndrome).

Question 10

activated charcoal

dosage

Answer 10

1 g per kilogram

Activated charcoal comes in bottles of 25 – 50 g in slurry with water or sorbitol.

Question 11

activated charcoal

contraindications

Answer 11

Altered mental status unless administered by NG tube and airway protected with ET tube.

Question 13

activated charcoal

indications

Answer 13

Selected indications. because activated charcoal will not bind to all substances (for example; not to alcohol or petroleum products), treatment is best dictated by OLMC and/or poison center. Treatment is usually not indicated unless it has been less than two hours since ingestion.

Question 14

Asprin

Classes

Answer 14

platelet inhibitor EMS use,

analgesic,

antipyretic,

nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory

Question 15

aspirin

indications

Answer 15

Acute chest pain of suspected cardiac origin.