DRUGS Flashcards
Pharmacology and action of adrenaline
- Naturally occurring sympathy mimetic agent
- Causes peripheral vasoconstriction
- Stimulation of cardiac conduction system causing increased contractions
- Causes bronchodilation and dilation of blood vessels to muscles
- IV/IO onset 30 sec, peak 3-5 min, duration 5-10 min
- IM onset 30-90 sec, peak 5-10 min, duration 5-10 min
Indications of adrenaline
- Cardiac arrest
- Anaphylaxis
- Severe asthma
- Severe croup with retroactive breathing
Contraindications of adrenaline
No absolute contraindications
Pharmacology and action of asprin
- Analgesic
- Antipyretic
- Anti inflammatory
- Anti platelet aggregation agent
- Reduces mortality significantly in AMI by minimising platelet aggregation and thrombus formation in order to retard the progression of coronary artery thrombosis
Indications of asprin
Chest pain/discomfort of presumed cardiac origin
Contraindications of asprin
- Known hypersensitivity to asprin / salicylates
- As magic patients with known hypersensitivity to salicylates
- Children < 12 yrs of age
Pharmacology and action of amiodarone
- 150mg/3ml ampoule
- Characteristics of all vaughan-Williams classifications
- Class 3 antidysrythmIc agent that prolongs action potential duration and hence refractory period of atrial, nodal and ventricular tissue
- Onset immediate, peak < 10 mins, duration 30-60 min
Indications of amiodarone
Cardiac arrest with persistent/shock resistant VF/VT ( post 3 consecutive shocks only)
Pharmacology and description of cophenylcaine
- Topical pump spray containing Lignocaine Hydrochloride 50mg/ml
- Phenylephrine 5mg/ml
- Topical anaesthetic and haemorrhage control agent for the relief of surface pain, nasal and oral bleeding
Contraindications of cophenylcaine
- Hypersensitivity to lignocaine or other anaesthetics
- Hypersensitivity to Phenylephrine
- Paediatrics less than 2 yrs
- Pregnancy
Indications of cophenylcaine
- Local pain: abrasions, small cuts and wounds
- Relief from mild to moderate epistaxis
- Post tonsillectomy haemorrhage
- Intra-oral haemorrhage
Description of fentanyl
A short acting synthetic narcotic analgesic
IN 600mcg/2ml
IV 100mcg/2ml
Indications of fentanyl
- Moderate to severe pain
2. Acute coronary system symptoms with a pain/discomfort score > 3/10 post 1 spray of GTN
Contraindications of fentanyl
- Hypersensitivity to fentanyl
- Less than 1 yr of age (IV/IO only)
- Occluded nasal passages or epistaxis (IN only)
Description of glucagon
- 1mg/1ml vial, accompanied by diligent for injection
- A hyperglycaemic agent that converts stored liver glycogen to glucose to increase blood glucose concentration
- Onset 4-7 mins, duration 10-30 min
Indications of glucagon
- Demonstrated hypoglycaemia where oral glucose cannot be administered and IV access cannot be obtained in a safe and timely manner
- Altered conscious state in a known diabetic
- Altered level of consciousness of unknown medical cause where BSL < 4mmol
Contraindications of glucagon
- Hypersensitivity
2. Known pheochromocytoma
Description of glucose oral gel
- 15g glucose gel in tube
- Rapidly absorbed from oral/buccal mucosa to increase blood glucose concentration
- Onset 2-5 min, duration 12-25 mins
Indications of glucose oral gel
- Demonstrated hypoglycaemia in altered conscious state in a known diabetic
- Altered conscious state of unknown medical cause where BSL < 4 mmol
Contraindications of glucose oral gel
Nil
Description of heparin sodium
- Naturally occurring anticoagulant which inhibits clotting of blood by enhancing rate at which anti thrombin III neutralises thrombin and activated factor X (Xa)
- Ampoules 5000 IU / 5 ml
- Onset of action is immediate following IV administration
Indications of heprin sodium
Patients with STEMI going directly to cardiac cath lab as per receiving hospital 12 lead ECG interpretation
Contraindications of heprin sodium
- Hypersensitivity to heparin
2. Presence of known haemorrhagic states
Description of atrovent
- Presents in 250mcg/1ml neb
- Anticholenergic bronchodilator. Inhibits the vagus reflexes that mediate bronchospasm
- Combined with nebuliser beta 2 agonist, atrioventricular produces significantly greater bronchodilation than beta 2 agonist alone