Emergency medical responder (EMR)/Pharmacology

Pharmacology

The 7 Rights of Medication

Right Patient

Right Medication

Right Dose

Right Method

Right Time

Right route

Right Documentation

Oxygen

Indications

Having trouble breathing or not breathing at all

Acetylsalicylic Acid(A.K.A. Aspirin)

Indications

Recent onset of ischemic chest pain suggestive of AMI.

Contraindications

known allergy towards ASA, any type of bleeding disorders (hemophilia, von Willebrand’s disease), unconsciousness, patient has an active GI bleed, patient is a child under the age of 14 (Increases risk of Reye’s Syndrome), asthmatic with previous sensitivity to ASA or NSAIDS

Precautions

Impaired renal and hepatic function
May produce bronchoconstriction in asthmatics
Pregnancy
Children and adolescents with influenza or chickenpox infections (May increase the risk of Reye’s
syndrome)

Symptoms are encephalopathy and fatty liver degeneration May interact with warfarin (Coumadin) and other anti-coagulants and cause bleeding.

Dosage

160-325 mg po; chew tablet before swallowing. NOTE: GIVEN EVEN IF PATIENT HAS TAKEN OWN ASA

In the province of BC, Canada, administration cannot exceed 162mg buccally, chew completely and then the Pt may swallow. NOTE: Ensure Pt has not taken ASA within the last 12 hours. (I.e If Pt self administered 1 80mg ASA tablet within 5 minutes, you may only administer 1 more 80mg ASA totalling 160mg as Pt cannot exceed 162mg as per Chest Pain Management protocol.)

Side Effects

Nausea & Vomiting, Heartburn, Bronchospasm, Bleeding, Urticaria