Drugs - Pharmacology, Metabolism, Special Notes and Pharmacokinetics Flashcards
1 - 3 Mild Pain Analgesic Requirements
May not require analgesia
Consider non pharmacological approaches
Consider non opiod analgesia - paracetamol, ibuprofen
4 - 6 Moderate Pain Analgesic Requirements
Consider:
mild pain analgesic steps
non opioid analgesia - Paracetamol, ibuprofen
7 - 10 Severe Pain Analgesic Requirements
Consider mild and moderate treatment steps
Will require NAS, IM, IV analgesia - Penthrane, fentanyl, morphine
Adrenaline Metabolism
Metabolised by sympathetic nerve endings and subject to mitochondrial enzymatic breakdown by monoamine oxidase at the synaptic level
Adrenaline pharmacology in asthma
sympathomimetic agent that is an alpha and beta adrenergic receptor antagonist that makes the heart beat faster and harder due to alpha 1 causing peripheral vasoconstriction and beta 1 increasing ventricular irritability, contractile force, conductivity and AV node. Beta 2 stabilises mast cells to negate their deregulatory effect
Adrenaline pharmacology in anaphylaxis
sympathomimetic agent which is an alpha and beta adrenergic receptor antagonist that makes the heart beat faster and harder due to alpha 1 causing peripheral vasoconstriction and beta 1 increasing ventricular irritability, contractile force, conductivity and AV node. Beta 2 stabilises mast cells to negate their deregulatory effect
Adrenaline pharmacology in cardiac arrest
sympathomimetic agent which is an alpha and beta adrenergic receptor antagonist that makes the heart beat faster and harder due to alpha 1 causing peripheral vasoconstriction and beta 1 increasing ventricular irritability, contractile force, conductivity and AV node. Beta 2 stabilises mast cells to negate their deregulatory effect
Adrenaline pharmacology in croup
reduces bronchial and tracheal epithelial permeability decreasing airway oedema, increasing airway radius and improving airflow.
It improves Westley Croup Scores at 30 minutes.
Adrenaline Special Notes
1: 1,000 (1 mg/mL) adrenaline (epinephrine) presentation should be used for all nebuliser administration
1: 10,000 (100 microg/1 mL ) or a 1 : 100,000 (10 microg/1 mL ) adrenaline (epinephrine) preparation should be used for all low dose IM/IV injections
Aspirin Metabolism
converted to salicyclic acid primarily in the GI mucosea and liver
excreted by the kidneys
Aspirin Pharmacology
prevents platelets from aggregating to exposed collagen fibres at the site of vascular injury
Aspirin Special Notes
Patients with suspected ACS or acute pulmonary oedema who have had less than 300 mg aspirin in the previous 24 hours should be administered a dose of aspirin that equates to a total daily dose of 300–450 mg
Ceftriaxone Metabolism
Excreted as a variety of active and inactive metabolites through urine, bile and faeces
Ceftriaxone Pharmacology
A third generation cephalosporin antibiotic with a bactericidal action
Ceftriaxone Special Notes
Due to adverse affects associate with IM administration, IV administration is preferred
Rapid administration of large doses may result in seizures due to high sodium content
All cannula and IV lines must be flushed thoroughly with sodium chloride 0.9% following each administration
Prepared in aseptic manner
Dexamethasone Metabolism
metabolised by the liver and excreted by the kidneys
Dexamethasone Pharmacology
Long-acting synthetic corticosteroid that produces anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects
Presumed effect is vasoconstrictive actions in the upper airway, followed by systemic antiinflammatory effect
Dexamethasone Special Notes
the preferred corticosteroid for the treatment of croup due to its lower hospital re-presentation rate
All patients administered dexamethasone for the treatment of croup must be transported to an appropriate health facility for assessment
The Westley Croup Score must be used by all officers to assess croup severity
Administer with syringe or clean spoon
Mix with small amount of sweet ingestible liquid
Fentanyl Metabolism
metabolised by the liver, excreted by the kidneys
Fentanyl Pharmacology
synthetic narcotic analgesic that acts on the central nervous system by binding with the opioid receptors
Fentanyl Special Notes
When combined narcotic (morphine and fentanyl) therapy is administered, the total max dose must be calculated using a combination of all morphine and MME (eg fentanyl) medication
Hypotensive adult Pts (SBP 90 mmHg) all incremental fentanyl doses must be no greater than 25 microg for IV and 50 microg for IM
CCP backup required in fentanyl administration to hypotensive pts
Glucagon Metabolism
Metabolised by the liver, kidneys and in the plasma
Glucagon Pharmacology
Hyperglycaemic agent that mobilises hepatic glycogen which is released into the blood as glucose with inotropic and chronotropic effects not mediated through beta-receptors
Glucagon Special Notes
Oral carbs should be given when the Pt has responded to glucagon to restore liver glycogen and prevent secondary hypoglycaemia
low threshold for glucagon administration in hypotensive/shocked anaphylaxis Pts when presenting with heart failure and/or prescribed beta blocker therapy
Prepare in aseptic manner, disinfect rubber stopper of vial with antimicrobial swab and allow to dry before piercing
Glucose 10% Metabolism
Broken down in most tissues and distributed throughout total body water
Glucose 10% Pharmacology
A sugar that is the principal energy source for body cells, especially the brain
Glucose 10% Special Notes
the preferred treatment for hypoglycaemia for patients unable to take oral glucose due to its rapid onset and ability to quickly restore blood glucose concentration to normal values
Glucose Gel Metabolism
Broken down in most tissues and distributed throughout total body water
Glucose Gel Pharmacology
Quickly absorbed in the intestinal tract - principal energy source for body cells, especially the brain.
Glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) Metabolism
readily absorbed and metabolised by the liver
Glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) Pharmacology
decreases preload and afterload, dilates blood vessels to allow blood through the coronary veins and arteries and pools blood in peripheral veins
Glyceryl Trinitrate (GTN) Special Notes
Subling GTN first line Tx for ACS, however IV GTN should be considered as part of the mgmt regime for all Pts unresponsive to subling GTN, narcotics and/or blockers
GTN is first line Tx for autonomic dysreflexia, however morphine should be considered as part of the mgmt regime if Pt unresponsive to initial Tx
Hydrocortisone Metabolism
Metabolised by the liver, excreted by the kidneys
Hydrocortisone Pharmacology
Inhibit the inflammatory action of the phospholipase A2 enzyme and used for multiple reasons for infections in a variety of setting for long term disease processes
Hydrocortisone Special Notes
Each 100 mg hydrocortisone vial is to be reconstituted with 2 mL sodium chloride 0.9% or water for injection
All canulae and IV lines must be flushed thoroughly with sodium chloride 0.9% following each medication administration
Prepare in aseptic manner, disinfect rubber stopper with antimicrobial swab and allow to dry before piercing
Ibuprofen metabolism
Metabolised by the liver and exreted mainly by the kidneys
Ibuprofen pharmacology
Non-selective NSAID that inhibits the synthesis of prostaglandins resulting in analgesic, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory actions
Ibuprofen Special Notes
Consider previous doses by the Pt, carer, parent or guardian
Administer with or shortly following food/milk
Can be used in conjunction with paracetamol for additional pain relief
Ipratropium bromide Metabolism
metabolised by the liver and excreted by the kidneys
Ipratropium bromide Pharmacology
Antimuscurinic agent that promotes bronchodilation by inhibiting cholinergic bronchomotor tone
Ipratropium bromide Special Notes
Must be administered in conjunction with salbutamol - solutions may be mixed and administered via the same nebuliser mask
Loratadine Metabolism
absorbed in the GI tract with rapid first-pass hepatic metabolism
Loratadine Pharmacology
long acting, second generation peripheral histamine H1 receptor antagonist
Loratadine Special Notes
Antihistamines have no role in the Tx or prevention of respiratory or cardiovascular symptoms in anaphylaxis
May be administered with or without food
Methoxyflurane metabolism
Metabolised by the liver and excreted mainly by the lungs
Methoxyflurane pharmacology
More susceptible to metabolism than other halogenated ethers and has a greater propensity to diffuse into fatty tissue
Methoxyflurane Special Notes
At no time should unconsciousness be deliberately induced using methoxyflurane
The lowest dose of methoxyflurane to provide analgesia should be used
Pt not to be left unattended
If the Pt prefers simultaneous inhalation through both nose and mouth, the inhaler may be connected into a standard anaesthetic face mask prior to administration
Only one dose of 3 mL should be administered per Pt whilst in the ambulance
No single officer should administer more than 2 doses in the ambulance per shift
Where possible, ambulance should be adequately ventilated
Midazolam Metabolism
Metabolised by the liver, excreted by the kidneys
Midazolam Pharmacology
Short acting CNS depressant that enhances the action of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA, inducing amnesia, anaesthesia, hypnosis and sedation