REMSA Paramedic Program Drug List (47 drugs)
Revised 7/22/19
Acetaminophen (APAP)
Activated Charcoal
Adenosine (Adenocard)
Albuterol (Proventil)
Amiodarone (Cordarone)
Aspirin (Salicylate)
Atropine Sulfate
Calci
...
REMSA Paramedic Program Drug List (47 drugs)
Revised 7/22/19
Acetaminophen (APAP)
Activated Charcoal
Adenosine (Adenocard)
Albuterol (Proventil)
Amiodarone (Cordarone)
Aspirin (Salicylate)
Atropine Sulfate
Calcium Chloride
Dextrose 50%, 25%, 10%
Diazepam (Valium)
Diltiazem (Cardizem)
Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
Dopamine (Intropin)
Epinephrine (Adrenalin)
Epinephrine, Racemic (Micronefrin)
Etomidate (Amidate)
Fentanyl (Sublimaze)
Furosemide (Lasix)
Glucagon
Haloperidol (Haldol)
Hydroxocobalamin
Ibuprofen
Ipratropium (Atrovent)
Ketamine (Ketalar)
Lidocaine (Xylocaine)
Lorazepam (Ativan)
Magnesium Sulfate
Methylprednisolone (Solu-Medrol)
Metoprolol (Lopressor)
Midazolam (Versed)
Morphine Sulfate
Naloxone (Narcan)
Nitroglycerin (Nitro-Stat)
Nitro-Paste (Nitro-Bid Ointment)
Nitrous Oxide (Nitronox)
Norepinephrine (Levophed)
Ondansetron (Zofran)
Oral Glucose
Oxygen
Oxytocin (Pitocin)
Pralidoxime (2-PAM)
Procainamide
Pralidoxime (2-PAM)
Sodium Bicarbonate
Succinylcholine (Anectine)
Thiamine (Betaxin)
Tranexamic Acid (TXA)
Acetaminophen (APAP)
Class: Analgesic, antipyretic
Action: Increases pain threshold and reduces fever by acting on the hypothalamus.
Indications: Fever, pain relief
Contraindications: Hypersensitivity and use caution in patients with liver disease.
Onset/Duration:
Onset: 10-30 min PO
Duration: 3-4 hours PO
Dose/route:
Adult: 325-1000 mg PO every 4-6 hr
Peds: 15 mg/kg PO/PR every 4-6 hr
Side Effects: Nausea/vomiting, hepatotoxicity
Activated Charcoal
Class: Antidote, adsorbent
Action: Binds to and adsorbs ingested toxins thereby inhibiting their GI absorption. Once the
drug binds to the charcoal the combined complex is excreted.
Indications: Acute ingested poisonings that were ingested within the last hour
Contraindications: Cyanide, mineral acids, caustic alkalis, iron, ethanol, methanol, corrosives,
petroleum distillates.
Onset/Duration:
Onset: Immediate
Duration: Continual while in GI tract and reaches equilibrium once saturated
Dose/Route:
Adult: 1 g/kg PO
Peds: 1-2 g/kg PO
Side Effects: Nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramping, constipation
Adenosine (Adenocard)
Class: Misc. antidysrhythmic, endogenous nucleoside
Action: Decreases electrical conduction through the AV node without causing negative
inotropic effects
Indications: Supraventricular tachycardias (SVT/PSVT)
Contraindications: Hypersensitivity, bradycardia, drug induced tachycardia, 2
nd or 3
rd degree
heart blocks, A-Fib, A-Flutter, V-Tach, WPW with A-Fib/flutter.
Onset/Duration:
Onset: Immediate
Duration/half-life: 10 seconds
Dose/Route:
Adult: 6 mg rapid IV/IO push followed by 20 cc saline flush. May repeat in 1-2 min at 12
mg rapid IV push followed by 20 cc saline flush.
Peds: 0.1mg/kg (max 6mg) IV/IO followed by 5-10 cc saline flush. May repeat in 1-2 min
at 0.2 mg/kg (max 12mg) IV/IO followed by 5-10 cc saline flush.
Side Effects: dizziness, headache, shortness of breath, hypotension, flushing, palpitations,
chest pain, nausea/vomiting
Note: Methylxanthine classified stimulants (caffeine & theophylline) usage will antagonize
adenosine
Albuterol (Proventil)
Class: Sympathomimetic, bronchodilator, beta-2 agonist
Action: Sympathomimetic that is selective for Beta-2 adrenergic receptors/ Relaxes smooth
muscles of the bronchial tree and peripheral vasculature by stimulating adrenergic receptors of
sympathetic nervous system.
Indications: Asthma, bronchospasms, reversible obstructive airway disease
Contraindications: Hypersensitivity, caution with pts with cardiac dysrhythmias
Onset/Duration:
Onset: 5-8 min
Duration: 2-6 hours
Dose/Route:
Adult/Peds: 2.5 mg diluted in 3 mL of Normal Saline
Side Effects: Tremors, tachycardia, hypertension, anxiety, nausea, headache, palpitations,
cough, dizziness
Note: Albuterol may precipitate angina & cardiac dysrhythmias. Use with caution in pt’s with
cardiovascular disorder, diabetes, seizure disorder, hyperthyroidism.
Amiodarone (Cordarone)
Class: Class III antidysrhythmic
Action: Prolongs duration of the action potential and prolongs the refractory period, also has
beta adrenergic receptor and calcium channel blocking activity. Works on both the ventricles
and the atria
Indications: V-Fib, hemodynamically unstable V-Tach, treatment for some stable atrial rhythms
Contraindications: CHF, cardiogenic shock, bradycardia, 2nd or 3rd degree heart blocks with no
pacemaker present, hypersensitivity to amiodarone or iodine
Onset/Duration: Onset: within minutes and Duration: Variable but considered 30 – 45 days
Dose/Route:
Adult: Pulseless V-Tach/V-Fib arrest - 300mg IV/IO may repeat once at 150mg IV/IO. VTach with a pulse 150mg IV drip over 10 minutes up to max of 2.2g in 24 hours
Peds: Pulseless V-Tach/V-Fib arrest - 5mg/kg IV/IO. V-Tach with a pulse 5mg/kg IV drip
over 20-60 minutes with a max of 15mg/kg/day.
Side Effects: Bradycardia, hypotension, headache, CHF, abnormal liver/thyroid functions. In
rare cases can cause pulmonary fibrosis
Aspirin (Salicylate)
Class: Analgesic, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), antipyretic, and antiplatelet
Action: Inhibits prostaglandins involved in the production of inflammation, pain and fever.
Dilates peripheral vessels and also inhibits platelet aggregation by blocking the formation of
thromboxane A2.
Indications: Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) such as myocardial infarction, ischemic chest pain
or angina, and given for mild to moderate pain or fever.
Contraindications: GI bleeding, hemorrhagic stroke, active gastric ulcers, bleeding disorders,
asthma, hypersensitivity to salicylates, children
Onset/Duration:
Onset: 15-30 min
Duration: 4-6 hours
Dose/Route:
Adult: Mild pain/fever – 325-650 mg PO every 4 hours. ACS – 2 to 4 baby chewable
aspirin, 162-324 mg OR 1 adult aspirin, 325mg PO.
Peds: Not indicated in pre-hospital setting
Side Effects: Stomach irritation, GI bleeding, Nausea/vomiting
Note: Children under 12 should not be given Aspirin as they may develop Reye’s syndrome.
Atropine Sulfate
Class: Anticholinergic, Parasympatholytic
Action: Inhibits actions of acetylcholine (mostly at muscarinic receptor sites) causing decreased
salivation and bronchial secretions, increased heart rate and decreased gastric motility.
Indications: Hemodynamically unstable bradycardia, organophosphate or nerve gas poisoning
Contraindications: Tachycardia, hypersensitivity, avoid use with hypothermic pts, caution in
pts with an active MI and hypoxia
Onset/Duration:
Onset: Rapid
Duration: 2-6 hours
Dose/Route:
Adult: Bradycardia – 0.5 mg IV/IO q 3-5 min up to max total of 3 mg
Organophosphate poisoning – 1 to 5mg IV/IM/IO repeated 3-5 min until cessation of
bronchial secretions
Peds: Bradycardia NOT responding to Epi- 0.02mg/kg IV/IO (min dose of 0.1 mg and max
single dose 0.5 mg) with maximum total of 1 mg for a child and 3 mg for an adolescent.
Organophosphate peds < 12 yrs old - 0.05mg/kg IV/IM/IO may be repeated every 20-30
mins until cessation of bronchial secretions.
Side Effects: Tachycardia, paradoxical bradycardia if given too slow or too small of dose,
mydriasis (dilated pupils), dysrhythmias, headache, nausea/vomiting, headache, dizziness,
flushed, anticholinergic effects (dry mouth/nose/skin, blurred vision, urinary retention,
constipation)
Note: Effects of atropine may be potentiated by antihistamines, procainamide, quinidine,
antipsychotics, antidepressants, and thiazides
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