Tag: Emergency Medications
- Nitrous Oxide ()
Nitrous oxide is an odorless, colorless, non-flammable gas. While nitrous oxide is not flammable, it will support combustion to the same extent as oxygen. It leads to a state of euphoria, explaining its nickname, ‘laughing gas.’ Nitrous oxide is the least potent inhalational anesthetic. Nitrous oxide requires a concentration of 104% to reach one minimum alveolar […]
- Nitroglycerin ()
Nitroglycerin is a vasodilatory drug used primarily to provide relief from anginal chest pain. It is currently FDA approved for the acute relief of an attack or acute prophylaxis of angina pectoris secondary to coronary artery disease. Off-label, non-FDA-approved uses include treatment for hypertensive urgency/emergency, coronary artery spasm, angina secondary to cocaine use, congestive heart failure (CHF), and chronic anal fissures. Along […]
- Naxalone ()
Over the past two decades, the rate of overdose from opiates has increased significantly. While many factors have contributed to opioid overdose in the United States, the rate of overdose appears to be highest in rural communities compared to those living in urban areas. For example, in West Virginia, where over 50% of the population resides […]
- Glucagon ()
Glucagon is a polypeptide hormone commonly used in the treatment of severe hypoglycemia. It is FDA approved for the treatment of severe hypoglycemia. Severe hypoglycemia is a life-threatening event treated with oral carbohydrate intake, IV glucose, or glucagon by various routes. Glucagon has attractive traits in the diabetic population due to its simplicity of use and […]
- Epinephrine ()
Indications Epinephrine is one of the most commonly used agents in various settings as it functions as medication and hormone. It is currently FDA-approved for various situations, including emergency treatment of type 1 hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis, induction, and maintenance of mydriasis during intraocular surgeries and hypotension due to septic shock. Off-label uses of epinephrine include, […]
- Dextrose 50% in Water ()
The use of a 50% dextrose (d50) solution is a common medical treatment for low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). A 50% dextrose solution is also known as a “d50” or “d50W” solution. D50 is a 50% solution of dextrose in water. It is used when glucose is needed for energy but the body cannot use glucose properly. D50 […]
- Aspirin ()
Salicylates have been available since the early 1900s. Salicylates have been derived from the willow tree bark. The Sumerians were noted to have used remedies derived from the willow tree for pain management as far back as 4000 years ago. Hippocrates used it for managing pain and fever. He even utilized tea brewed from it for pain […]
- Albuterol ()
Albuterol is used for the treatment and prevention of bronchospasm (acute or severe) in patients with reversible obstructive airway disease. It also has an indication for the prevention of exercise-induced bronchospasm. Indications Albuterol, also known as salbutamol, has an indication for the treatment and prevention of bronchospasm (acute or severe) in patients with reversible obstructive […]
- Fluid Resuscitation ()
The primary role of fluid resuscitation is to maintain organ perfusion (hemodynamics) and substrate (oxygen, electrolytes, among others) delivery through the administration of fluid and electrolytes. An enteral route can be used; however, when oral intake is not possible, clinicians can replace fluid losses by intravenous (IV) administration. Anatomy and Physiology Body fluids are distributed into intracellular and […]
- Intravenous Fluids ()
Indications Crystalloid fluids are a subset of intravenous solutions that are frequently used in the clinical setting. Crystalloid fluids are the first choice for fluid resuscitation in the presence of hypovolemia, hemorrhage, sepsis, and dehydration. Other clinical applications include acting as a solution for intravenous medication delivery, delivering maintenance fluid in patients with limited or no enteral nutrition, blood […]