Paramedic Drugs Flashcards
Fentanyl - Indications
- Moderate to severe pain
- Anxiety with CPO
- Agitation, pain or SOB with end of life care
Fentanyl - Contraindications
- Known severe allergy
Fentanyl - cautions
- ALOC
- Age <1
- Respiratory depression
- Labour
- Concurrent administration of other opiates
- Age greater or equal to 75
- Signs of shock
Mechanism of action of Fentanyl
Fentanyl is an opiate analgesic, it is an opiate agonist (or stimulator) that binds to opiate receptors in the brain and spinal cord causing analgesia
Route of fentanyl
- IV, IM, IN, SC
Doses of fentanyl
- IV 10-50mcg every 5 minutes using a lower dose in the range if the pt is frail or signs of shock
- IN as per paediatric drug table every 20 minutes up to 3 doses
- IM / SC 50-100mcg every 20 minutes up to 3 doses halving if pt frail or shocked
Side effects of fentanyl
- Respiratory depression
- Bradycardia
- Hypotension
- Sedation
- Nausea and vomiting
- Itch
- Euphoria
Indications for ketamine
- Severe pain that has not been adequately controlled with an opiate
Contraindications for ketamine
- Known severe allergy
- Aged < 1
Cautions of ketamine
- ALOC
- Signs of shock
- Current myocardial ischaemia
- Concurrent administration of opiates
- Aged greater or equal to 75
Mechanism of action of ketamine
- Ketamine has complex actions but is predominantly an N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist (blocker) resulting in inhibition of excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain.
- Low doses cause analgesia, large doses cause amnesia and dissociation and high doses cause anaesthesia
Route of ketamine
- IV
- IM
- PO
Dose of ketamine
- IV 0.25mg/kg max of 25mg over approximately 15 minutes repeat as required
- IM or PO 0.5mg/kg max of 50mg repeated once after 20 minutes
Side effects of ketamine
- Transient hypertension
- Tachycardia
- Apnoea
- Nausea and vomiting
- Sedation
- Hallucinations
Indications of Lignocaine 1%
- SC for prophylaxis of pain associated with IV
- SC for digital ring block for analgesia when transport is less than 60 minutes or ropivacaine is not available
- IO for significant bone pain associated with IO administration
Contraindications of Lignocaine
- Known severe allergy
Cautions of Lignocaine
- Taking an anticoagulant (Ring Block)
Mechanism of action of Lignocaine
- Lignocaine is local anaesthetic
- Lignocaine blocks the initiation and transmission of nerve impulses by blocking the movement of sodium ions across the nerve cell membranes
Route of lignocaine
- SC
- IO
Dose of lignocaine
- SC Max dose of 200mg may be repeated once after 30 minutes
- IO 50mg for adult repeated once after 15 minutes
Side effects of Lignocaine
None
Indications for Midazolam
- Prolonged seizures
Contraindications of Midazolam
- Known severe allergy
Cautions of Midazolam
- ALOC
- Respiratory depression
- Concurrent administration of other opiates
- Age greater or equal to 75
- Signs of shock
Mechanism of action of Midazolam
- Midazolam is a benzodiazepine
- Midazolam enhances the activity of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) at GABA receptors within the CNS resulting in anticonvulsant activity, sedation, amnesia, anxiolytics and muscle relaxation