helpya Posted March 7, 2006 Share Posted March 7, 2006 are there any types of medications that someone with asthma should not ever be given? new student :? :?: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ridryder 911 Posted March 7, 2006 Share Posted March 7, 2006 There are several ranging from possibly aspirin to several types of antihistamine blockers, antihypertension medications etc..... it all depends upon the chemical of the medication, the severity of asthma and possible allergens. Some may be more sensitive than others. Remember asthmatic attacks can be produced or sparked by an allergen. That is why it is so important to have an understanding of pharmacology.... If there is a specific medication try using e-med, any medical pharmacology web site for interactions, contraindications. R/R 911 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AZCEP Posted March 7, 2006 Share Posted March 7, 2006 Unfortunately, there is a lot more to the answer than just, "Is it safe to give XX medication to an asthmatic?" Like Rid said already, you have to understand your pharmacology to have an idea about how safe one drug or another is. To parphrase Paracelsus, "Everything is a poison, there is nothing that is not. Only the dose, separates a poison from a cure." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xselerate Posted March 7, 2006 Share Posted March 7, 2006 Wouldn't it just be easier to consider what you can give.... albuterol. I know on a basic level it's all you can give. And on a medic level I would imangine you would gave the same unless their was some type of severe airway obstruction due to the asthma... maybe they would give epi or something. Either way albuterol should be all you really need to know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EMS49393 Posted March 7, 2006 Share Posted March 7, 2006 Well, I know albuterol for sure. I'm also responsible for Atrovent (ipratropium), solu-medrol, diphenhydramine, sub-Q epi, and racemic epi for respiratory problems. I'm also responsible for assessing my patients to determine what course of action is appropriate for that person, at that time. Go figure. I submit the following little story for educational purposes... Asthma can be a part of a bigger problem. My brother is an example of this. He's been a severe and poorly controlled asthmatic for over 20 years. He was instructed to stay away from ibuprofen and ASA because they are "triggers" for an attack. After seeing a specialist last year he was finally diagnosed with Samters-Triad Syndrome. Samters triad is characterized by nasal polyps, asthma and a allergy to and aspirin, hence the triad. Through his childhood he underwent surgery to clear his sinuses several times, and either as a result of surgery or nasal polyps has no sense of smell. His allergy to aspirin is so severe that a little residual dust can throw him into anaphylaxis. To break his attacks quickly and keep him from going into respiratory arrest requires several different treatments. Albuterol/Atrovent nebulizers, diphenhydramine, and solu-medrol. He has been both intubated and on steroids several times. My best advice is to assess your patients very well before you give them any medication. Albuterol and albuterol/Atrovent are wonderful drugs for simple asthma, if in fact you know it's just an asthma attack and nothing else. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xselerate Posted March 8, 2006 Share Posted March 8, 2006 Well, I know albuterol for sure. I'm also responsible for Atrovent (ipratropium), solu-medrol, diphenhydramine, sub-Q epi, and racemic epi for respiratory problems. I'm also responsible for assessing my patients to determine what course of action is appropriate for that person, at that time. Go figure. which means your either a medic or a medic student in which case i would hope that all medic students get signs / symptoms, medications, and pathophysiology beaten into them with a big ass mother f'in stick! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aussiephil Posted March 8, 2006 Share Posted March 8, 2006 What are the contraindications given for the drugs you want to give, what are the adverse effects? You need to know what is in your drug box, their actions, indications, contraindications & adverse effects. In reality anyone can hav an adverse reaction to any drug & you need to be prepared for that. 8) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Callthemedic Posted March 30, 2006 Share Posted March 30, 2006 Start from the physiology and work towards mechanisms. Beta 2 receptors do what? What fits in the receptor that is agonist or antagonist Histamines do what? Same follow-up All the pieces of annaphylaxis fit like a puzzle, literaly, at the receptors. Of course, if you just want to know contraindications, they are always in the box the meds come in. It wouldn't hurt then, to find out why by getting into some physiology and drug mechanisms. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dustdevil Posted March 30, 2006 Share Posted March 30, 2006 I guess I'll mention the obvious. They should definitely avoid crack, heroin, PCP, LSD and meth. Probably pot too. Most anything inhaled that isn't a steroid or beta agonist, for that matter. Mushrooms are okay. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AZCEP Posted March 30, 2006 Share Posted March 30, 2006 Come now Dust, you seem to be forgetting that crack and meth a very potent beta agonists. Swatting flies with a sledgehammer, but still... :shock: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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