(VASOPRESSOR) Indicated in cardiac arrest. Increases heart rate, increase contractility
and peripheral vascular resistance. Standard Arrest Dose: 1 mg IV q3-5 min (1:10,000).
E-T Tube: 2.0-3.0 mg diluted in 10cc NS. Also for profound bradycardia and/or
hypotension as a Drip: 2-10 mcg/minutes.
(VASOPRESSOR) May be used in the Pulseless arrest as an alternative pressor to
epinephrine. May give 1 dose – 40u IV/IO to replace first or second dose of epinephrine.
(ANTIARRHYTHMIC) Used for both atrial and ventricular arrhythmias. Indicated for
shock-refractory VT/VF Arrest Dose: 300 mg IVP, consider repeating with 150 mg IVP in
3-5min. Tachycardia Dose: 150 mg over 10 min. Max 2.2 gm/24 hr. Side effects are
Bradycardia Hypotension.
**Useful in controlling rate of atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter with WPW.
(ANTIARRRHYTHMIC) Used in a wide variety of arrhythmias. Non-arrest dose: 20-50
mg/min. End points: Maxinum dose of 17 mg/kg (1.2 Gm for 70 kg patient), or QRS widens
50%, hypotension, control of arrhythmia. Note: may cause torsades de pointes with QRS
widening and prolong QT intervals. Drip: 1 Gm/250cc’s at 1-4 mg/min.
**Useful in controlling rate of atrial fibrillation (with rapid pulse) in WPW.
(ANTIARRHYTHMIC) Treatment of supraventricular and ventricular arrhythmias in patients
without structural heart disease. Should be avoided in patients with poor perfusion
because of significant negative inotropic effects. Adverse effects include bradycardia,
hypotension, and torsades de pointes. IV dose: 1-1.5 mg/kg over 5 minutes. Package
insert recommends slow infusion, but literature supports a more rapid infusion of 1.5mg/kg
over 5 minutes or less.
(ANTIARRHYTHMIC) Used for ventricular arrhythmias. An alternative to Amiodarone for
VT/Vfib Dose: 1.0 – 1.5 mg/kg IV total-3.0 mg/kg. E-T Tube: 2.0 – 4.0 mg/kg.
Drip: 1Gm/250cc at 1-4mg/min.
Indicated in cardiac arrest – Torsades de Pointes.Indicated for torsades de pointes with a
pulse and life threatening arrhythmias due to digitalis toxicity. Dose: 1-2 Gm (2-4 ml of a
50% solution) diluted. IVP in full arrest. 1-2g in 50 to 100 ml of DSW over 5-60 minutes in
non-arrest.
Short half-life (<10 seconds). Slows A-V node conduction. First drug for most forms of
narrow complex PSVT. Does not convert atrial fibrillation, flutter or MAT. Dose: 6mg rapid
IV push, followed by 20ml NS push, may repeat twice after 1-2 min at 12mg IVP. See
precautions/contraindications in ECC Handbook.
Decreases vagal reflex, accelerates the rate of sinus node, may be useful in AV Block at
the nodal level. Bradycardia dose: 0.5mg IVP q3-5 minutes – total 0.04mg/kg.
Inotropic & Chronotropic: 1-4mcg/kg/min – (low dose); 5-10mcg/kg/min = (cardiac dose)
11-20mcg/kg/min = (vasopressor dose). Useful in the treatment of cardiogenic shock,
hypotension, symptomatic bradyarrhythmias. CAUTION: May increase myocardial oxygen
requirements or worsen ischemia. Drip: 400mg in 250cc = 1600mcg/cc
Sublingual or IV drip. Vasodilator. Useful in the relief of chest pain in angina/unstable
angina or ACS, antihypertensive, CHF.
ACLS DRUG OVERVIEW
EPINEPHRINE
VASOPRESSIN
AMIODARONE
LIDOCANE
PROCAINAMIDE
SOTALOL
MAGNESIUM
SULFATE
ADENOCARD
ATROPINE
DOPAMINE
NITROGLYCERIN
