Pharmacology

1. Pharmacology

2. EMT Responsibilities: • You will be responsible for administering certain medications. • You will also be responsible for assisting patients with self-administration of their own medications. • Not understanding how medications work places you and the patient in danger.

3. Definitions • Pharmacology • Dose • Action • Indication • Contraindications • Side effects

4. Medication Names • Trade name • Generic name • Prescription drugs • Over-the-counter (OTC) drugs

5. Administration Routes • Intravenous (IV) injection • Oral (PO) • Sublingual (SL) • Intramuscular (IM) • Intraosseous (IO)

6. Administration Routes • Subcutaneous (SQ) • Transcutaneous • Inhalation • Rectal (PR)

7. Tablets Capsules Solutions Suspensions Metered-dose inhalers Topical medications Transcutaneous medications Gels Gases Dosage Forms

8. Steps for Administration • Obtain order from medical control • Verify the proper medication and prescription • Verify the form, dose, and route of administration • Check the expiration date and condition of medication. • Reassess vital signs every 5 minutes. • Document times and changes.

9. EMT Medications Oxygen Epi pens Oral Glucose Activated charcoal Syrup of Ipecac

10. Oxygen • Nasal cannula • Non-rebreather mask • BVM • Blow by

11. Epi Pens • Administered for anaphylaxis only! • Patient > 66 lbs. • Patient < 66 lbs. • Medical control

12. Oral Glucose • Hypoglycemia confirmed by glucometry. • Patient must be awake and able to swallow.

13. Activated Charcoal • Prevents stomach from absorbing poisons. • Contact medical control for use. • Dose: 1gm/kg

14. Syrup of Ipecac • Rarely used to induce vomiting in OD. • Contact medical control or medics before use.

15. Assisting with Medications Nitroglycerin Aspirin Metered dose inhalers/nebulizers Other prescribed medications

16. Nitroglycerin • Chest pain similar to angina or cardiac pain. • BP > 100 mmHg. • No more than 3 doses 5minute apart. • Check expiration date. • Patient sitting or lying down. • Must be patient’s Rx

17. Aspirin • Administered only at patient’s request with associated cardiac chest discomfort. • Dose: 325mg • Should be chewed or swallowed with small amount of water.

18. Metered Dose Inhalers • Must be patient’s own Rx. • Patient must be able to self administer. • Do not exceed prescribed dose.

19. Patient Medications • Can clue you in to patient medical conditions and history. • Helpful when patient has altered mental state. • Include OTC medications, dietary supplements, natural remedies. • Allergies to medications?

20. Prescription Labels

21. Beta blockers Calcium channel blockers NTG ASA Ace Inhibitors Diuretics Antihypertensives Hyperlipidemia agents Digitalis (Digoxin) Warfarin Potassium Plavix Amiodorone Cardiac Medications

22. Albuterol Atrovent Terbutaline Prednisone Flonase Nasonex Combivent Flovent Advair Singular Zyrtec Allegra Respiratory Medications

23. Neurontin Valium Clonazepam Tegretol Aricept Lamictal Luminal Dilantin Topamax Imitrex Zomig Maxalt Depakote Cogentin Neurological Medications

24. Alprazolam (Xanax) Valium Zoloft Luvox Paxil Ambien Effexor Prozac Trazadone Wellbutrin Effexor Amitriptyline Lexapro Respiradol Zyprexa Celexa Anxiety & Depression

25. Hydrocodone Oxycodone Morphine Ibuprofen Celebrex Bextra Naproxen Oxycontin Darvocet ASA Tylenol Soma Flexeril Stadol Analgesics

26. Levothyroxine Premarin Glipizide Glucophage Avandia Actos Insulin Glyburide Metformin Glucovance Amaryl BCP Endocrine Meds

27. Prilosec Prevacid Nexium Protonix Aciphex Rantidine Omeprazole Phengren Compazine Meclizine Tagamet Pepcid Donnatal Maalox GI & Nausea