Emergency Drugs

Emergency Drugs: A Comprehensive Guide to Critical Medications Used in Ambulances and Emergency Units

Emergency drugs play a vital role in saving lives during critical and life-threatening situations. These medications are essential components of Crash Carts found in ambulances, emergency departments, intensive care units, recovery rooms, and all acute-care settings. They allow medical teams to respond quickly to cardiac arrest, shock, severe allergic reactions, arrhythmias, respiratory distress, and other emergencies.

Below is an organized, expanded, and medically accurate reference to the most common emergency drugs, their mechanisms, uses, side effects, precautions, and methods of administration.

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1. Atropine – أتروبين

Mechanism of Action

• Prevents bradycardia (low heart rate) by blocking vagal stimulation.

• Reduces excessive secretions in the airways and salivary glands.

• Stimulates the central nervous system at higher doses.

Indications

• Cardiac arrest associated with severe bradycardia.

• Symptomatic bradycardia.

• Heart block (especially second-degree or third-degree AV block).

• Organophosphate poisoning (phosphorus toxicity).

Side Effects

• Blurred vision.

• Tachycardia (increased heart rate).

• Dysrhythmias (irregular heart rhythm).

• Elevated blood pressure.

• Dry mouth and throat.

• Confusion or coma (in severe toxicity).

Precautions

• Use with caution in:

  • Glaucoma (especially narrow-angle type).

  • Urinary retention or prostatic hypertrophy.

Administration

• Intravenous (IV).

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2. Dobutamine – دوبتامين (ديبوتركس)

Mechanism of Action

• Enhances the heart’s pumping ability by increasing contractility.

• Improves cardiac output without significantly affecting vascular resistance.

Indications

• Congestive Heart Failure (CHF).

• Pulmonary edema caused by acute heart failure.

Side Effects

• Increased systolic blood pressure.

• Tachycardia.

Precautions

• Continuous monitoring of blood pressure.

• ECG monitoring throughout infusion.

Administration

• Intravenous infusion (IV).

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3. Dopamine – دوبامين

Mechanism of Action

• Improves renal blood flow (at low doses).

• Increases cardiac output and blood pressure (at higher doses).

Indications

• Shock (cardiogenic, septic, or hypovolemic depending on context).

• Acute renal failure.

• Congestive heart failure.

Side Effects

• Hypertension.

• Tachycardia.

• Nausea or vomiting.

Precautions

• Monitor:

  • Heart rate.

  • Blood pressure.

  • Urine output (to assess kidney perfusion).

Administration

• Intravenous infusion (IV).

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4. Adrenaline (Epinephrine) – أدرينالين

Mechanism of Action

• Powerful stimulant that enhances cardiac muscle activity and restores circulation during cardiac arrest.

• Strong bronchodilator and vasoconstrictor.

Indications

• Cardiac arrest.

• Anaphylactic shock (severe allergic reaction).

Side Effects

• Arrhythmias.

• High blood pressure.

• Tremors.

• Tachycardia.

Precautions

• Monitor for:

  • Arrhythmias.

  • Hypertension.

  • Reduced urine output (possible renal hypoperfusion).

Administration

• Intravenous (IV).

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5. Lidocaine – ليدوكائين (زيلوكين)

Mechanism of Action

• Anti-arrhythmic agent (Class IB).

• Local anesthetic used for regional anesthesia.

Indications

• Ventricular arrhythmias, especially after myocardial infarction.

Side Effects

• Dizziness.

• General weakness.

• Hearing impairment.

• Loss of consciousness.

• Respiratory depression.

Precautions

• Monitor blood pressure.

• Continuous ECG monitoring.

• Stop administration immediately if:

  • Dizziness

  • Weakness

  • Convulsions occur.

Administration

• Intravenous (IV).