Prepared by:

Krisia E. Castuciano, BSN 4

EMERGENCY ROOM DRUGS
1. Aminophylline
Indication/s:
Symptomatic treatment of bronchial asthma, bronchitis, bronchospasm and status
asthmaticus. Relieve periodic apnea. Adjunct in treatment of pulmonary edema and
paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea caused by left heart failure.

2. Calcium Gluconate
Indication/s:
Mild hypocalcemia due to neonatal tetany, tetany due to parathyroid deficiency or
vitamin D deficiency, and alkalosis.
Prophylaxix of hypocalcemia during exchange transfusions.
Intestinal malabsorption.
Adjunct to treat insect bites or stings to relieve muscle cramping.
Depression due to magnesium overdosage.
Acute symptoms of lead colic.
Rickets, osteomalacia.
Reverse symptoms of verapamil overdosage.
Decrease capillary permeability in allergic conditions, nonthrombocytopenic purpura, and
exudative dermatoses.
Pruritus due to certain drugs.
Hyperkalemia to antagonize cardiac toxicity.

3. Atropine
Indication/s:
Reduces secretions eg gastric and intestinal motility and is used in the treatment of
smooth muscle spasm in conditions eg pylorospasm in infants, renal and biliary colic and
bronchospasm.




4. Digoxin
Indication/s:
Congestive Heart Failure (CHF), including that due to venous congestion, edema,
dyspnea, orthopnea, and cardiac arrhythmia. May be drug of choice for CHG because of
rapid onset, relatively short duration, and ability to be administered PO or IV.
Control of rapid ventricular contraction rate in clients with atrial fibrillation or flutter.
Slow heart rate in sinus tachycardia due to CHF.
Supraventricular tachycardia.
Prophylaxis and treatment of recurrent paroxysmal atrial tachycardia with paroxysmal
AV junctional rhythm.
Cardiogenic shock (value not established).

5. Magnesium Sulfate
Indication/s:
Seizures associated with toxemia of pregnancy, epilepsy, or when abnormally low levels
of magnewium may be a contributing factor in convulsions, such as in hypothyroidism or
glomerulonephritis. For eclampsi, IV use is restricted to control of life-threatening
seizures.
Acute nephritis in children to control hypertension, encephalopathy, and seizures.
Replacement therapy in magnesium deficiency.
Adjunct in total parenteral nutrition.
Laxative.

6. Sodium Bicarbonate
Indication/s:
Treatment of hyperacidity
Severe diarrhea (where there is oss of bicarbonate)
Alkalization of the urine to treat drug toxicity
Treatment of acute mild to moderate metabolic acidosis due to shock, severe dehydration,
anoxia, uncontrolled diabetes, renal disease, cardiac arrest, extracorporeal circulation of
blood, severe primary lactic acidosis.
Prophylaxis of renal calculi in gout.
During sulfonamide therapy to prevent renal calculi and nephrotoxicity.
Neutralizing additive solution to decrease chemical phlebitis and client discomfort due
to vein irritation at or near the site of infusion of IV acid solutions.




7. Isosorbide
Indication/s:
Indicated for the prevention ofangina pectoris due to coronary artery disease.
The onset of action of oral isosorbide mononitrate is not sufficiently rapid for this product
to be useful in aborting an acute anginal episode.

8. Potassium Chloride
Indication/s:
For the therapeutic use of patients with hypokalemia, with or without metabolic alkalosis;
in digitalis intoxication; and in patients with hypokalemic familial periodic paralysis. If
hypokalemia is the result of diuretic therapy, consideration should be given to the use of a
lower dose of diuretic, which may be sufficient without leading to hypokalemia.
For the prevention of hypokalemia in patients who would be at particular risk if
hypokalemia were to develop, e.g., digitalized patients or patients with significant cardiac
arrhythmias.

9. Dexamethasone
Indication/s:
Dexamethasone can be used for all conventional indications for glucocorticoids.
There is special documentation available for the following uses: dexamethasone produces
considerable pressure relief in the event of cerebral edema (e.g. following a tumour) or
raised intracranial pressure of a different origin.
It is also very efficient as an antiemetic agent in strongly emetogenic chemotherapy; it is
thereby often combined with other antiemetic agents (e.g. ondansetron).
It is also frequently used in context with different forms of shock, even though its use is
sometimes viewed controversially (e.g. septic shock).
However, its effect for the initial treatment of bacterial meningitis is well documented.
Its administration before birth can reduce the incidence of respiratory distress
syndrome in premature infants; it is also helpful for bronchopulmonary dysplasia after
respiratory distress syndrome.
Other indications are: acute mountain sickness (high altitude disease), anaphylactic
reaction, angioneurotic edema, collagen disease, etc.
It is used topically on the eye after cataract operations, on the skin for eczema and
psoriasis, as well as intra-articularly for arthritis and osteoarthritis.

10. Nitroglycerin
Indication/s:
Nitroglycerin is indicated for the acute relief of an attack or acute prophylaxis of angina
pectoris due to coronary artery disease.