Drugs Flashcards
What is the presentation of activated charcoal?
50g in 250ml
What are the indications for the use of activated charcoal?
Emergency treatment of acute oral poisoning and acute oral drug overdose
What are the contra indications for the use of activated charcoal?
- Children under 1 year old
- > 1 hour since ingestion of toxin
- patients who are vomiting
- patients with reduced GI motility
What are the cautions to consider when using activated charcoal?
- Children (risk of aspiration)
- reduces effectiveness of other antidotes
What are the side effects of activated charcoal?
- black stool
- can cause intestinal obstruction
What is the presentation of Adrenaline (1 in 1000)
Ampuole containing 1mg of adrenaline in 1ml
What are the indications for the use of Adrenaline (1 in 1000)
Anaphylaxis and life-threatening asthma
What are the cautions to consider when using Adrenaline (1 in 1000)
- must not be given IV
- severe hypertension can occur if patient is taking beta blockers
What are the indications for the use of Adrenaline (1 in 10,000)
- cardiac arrest
- post ROSC circulatory support
What are the contraindications for Adrenaline (1 in 10,000)
- pt core temperature <30 degrees
- when temperature is between 30 and 35 degrees, time between doses should be doubled
What are the cautions to consider when using Adrenaline (1 in 10,000)
- severe hypertension can occur if patient is taking beta blockers
What is the presentation of Adrenaline (1 in 10,000)
Pre filled syringe containing 1mg of adrenaline in 10ml
What is the presentation of Amiodarone
Pre filled syringe containing 300mg amiodarone in 10ml OR
Ampuole containing 150mg amiodarone in 3ml
What is the indication for administering Amiodarone
Cardiac arrest - shockable rhythm.
If pt remains in cardiac arrest after 3 shocks, then give after alternative shocks (5th, 7th, etc.)
What are the contraindications for administering Amiodarone
core temp <30 degrees
What are the side effects for Amiodarone
bradycardia
vasodilation -> hypotension
bronchospasm
Arrythmias (e.g. Torsades de pointes)
What is the presentation for aspirin
Chewable tablet containing 300mg aspirin
What are the indications for the adminstration of aspirin?
Adults with clinical or ECG evidence suggestive of myocardial infarction (MI) or ischaemia
Suspected TIA where symptoms have fully resolved and pt has been referred to local TIA pathway
What are the contra indications for the adminstration of aspirin?
- Known aspirin allergy or sensitivty
- Children under 16 (causes Reye’s syndrome)
- Active GI bleed
- Haemophilia
- Hepatic failure with jaundice
What are the cautions for aspirin?
Patients with:
- Asthma
- pregnancy
- renal failure
- hepatic disease without jaundice
- gastric or duodenal ulcer
- current anticoagulant treatment
What are the side effects for aspirin?
- Increased risk of gastric bleeding
- Wheezing in some asthmatics
What is the presentation of atropine?
Ampuole containing 600mcg in 1ml
What are the indications for atropine?
Symptomatic bradycardia in ANY of these signs:
- absolute bradycardia (HR <40bpm)
- Systolic BP below expected for age
- Inadequate perfusion causing confusion/cyanosis
- Bradycardia following a ROSC
What are the contraindications for atropine?
- Hypothermia
- patients with heart transplants
