Pharmacology
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.
Definitions
•
Pharmacology
• Dose
• Action
• Indication
• Contraindications
• Side effects
Medication Names
•
•
•
•
Trade name
Generic name
Prescription drugs
Over-the-counter (OTC) drugs
Administration Routes
•
•
•
•
•
Intravenous (IV) injection
Oral (PO)
Sublingual (SL)
Intramuscular (IM)
Intraosseous (IO)
Administration Routes
•
•
•
•
Subcutaneous (SQ)
Transcutaneous
Inhalation
Rectal (PR)
Dosage Forms
•
•
•
•
•
Tablets
Capsules
Solutions
Suspensions
Metered-dose
inhalers
•
Topical
medications
• Transcutaneous
medications
• Gels
• Gases
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.
EMT Medications
Oxygen
Epi pens
Oral Glucose
Activated charcoal
Syrup of Ipecac
Oxygen
•
Nasal cannula
• Non-rebreather
mask
• BVM
• Blow by
Epi Pens
•
Administered for
anaphylaxis only!
• Patient > 66 lbs.
• Patient < 66 lbs.
• Medical control
Oral Glucose
•
Hypoglycemia
confirmed by
glucometry.
• Patient must be
awake and able
to swallow.
Activated Charcoal
•
Prevents stomach
from absorbing
poisons.
• Contact medical
control for use.
• Dose: 1gm/kg
Syrup of Ipecac
•
Rarely used to
induce vomiting
in OD.
• Contact medical
control or medics
before use.
Assisting with Medications
Nitroglycerin
Aspirin
Metered dose inhalers/nebulizers
Other prescribed medications
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
Aspirin
•
•
•
Administered only at patient’s
request with associated cardiac
chest discomfort.
Dose: 325mg
Should be chewed or swallowed
with small amount of water.
Metered Dose Inhalers
Must be patient’s
own Rx.
• Patient must be
able to self
administer.
• Do not exceed
prescribed dose.
•
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?
Prescription Labels
Cardiac Medications
•
•
•
•
•
•
Beta blockers
Calcium channel
blockers
NTG
ASA
Ace Inhibitors
Diuretics
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Antihypertensives
Hyperlipidemia agents
Digitalis (Digoxin)
Warfarin
Potassium
Plavix
Amiodorone
Respiratory Medications






Albuterol
Atrovent
Terbutaline
Prednisone
Flonase
Nasonex






Combivent
Flovent
Advair
Singular
Zyrtec
Allegra
Neurological Medications







Neurontin
Valium
Clonazepam
Tegretol
Aricept
Lamictal
Luminal







Dilantin
Topamax
Imitrex
Zomig
Maxalt
Depakote
Cogentin
Anxiety & Depression








Alprazolam (Xanax)
Valium
Zoloft
Luvox
Paxil
Ambien
Effexor
Prozac








Trazadone
Wellbutrin
Effexor
Amitriptyline
Lexapro
Respiradol
Zyprexa
Celexa
Analgesics







Hydrocodone
Oxycodone
Morphine
Ibuprofen
Celebrex
Bextra
Naproxen







Oxycontin
Darvocet
ASA
Tylenol
Soma
Flexeril
Stadol
Endocrine Meds






Levothyroxine
Premarin
Glipizide
Glucophage
Avandia
Actos






Insulin
Glyburide
Metformin
Glucovance
Amaryl
BCP
GI & Nausea







Prilosec
Prevacid
Nexium
Protonix
Aciphex
Rantidine
Omeprazole







Phengren
Compazine
Meclizine
Tagamet
Pepcid
Donnatal
Maalox