Emergency Drug Supply Dosing Guide 

Drug Indication/Use(s) Dosage Administration

Aspirin (chewable) Chest pain with 162 mg to 325 mg1
81 mg tablet suspect acute
coronary syndrome1
Dextrose in Water Dehydration2 IV administration:
5% 500 mL maximum infusion
rate: 0.8 g/kg/hour.2
Sodium Chloride Extracellular Fluid IV administration2
0.9% loss2
500 mL

Dextrose 50% Hypoglycemia2 20–50 mL slow IV Repeated doses may

500 mg/mL administration (3 be required in severe
50 mL Abboject mL/minute)2 cases.2
Diphenhydramine Hypersensitivity IM, IV: 10-50 mg per Maximum daily dose
50 mg/mL reactions2 dose; single doses up is 400 mg.2
1 ml vial Drug-induced to 100 mg may be IV rate should not
extrapyramidal used if needed2 exceed 25
symptoms2 mg/minute.2
Epinephrine 1:1000 Hypersensitivity Initial: 0.1 mg -0.5 mg For anaphylactic
1 mL vial reactions2 subcutaneously or IM shock, doses may be
(0.1 mL-0.5 mL of repeated at 5-15
1:1000 solution) minute intervals.2
[Do not exceed 1 mg
(1 mL) per dose]2
Epinephrine 1:1000 Hypersensitivity 0.3 mg (0.3 mL) If anaphylactic
0.3 mL autoinjector reactions (e.g. bee subcutaneously using symptoms persist,
stings, foods)2 autoinjector2 dose may be repeated
in 5-15 minutes using
an additional
autoinjector.2
Lidocaine 1% Local anesthetic2 Percutaneous NOT FOR
10 mg/mL administration2 CARDIAC USE2
30 mL vial Single doses should
not exceed 4.5 mg/kg
or 300 mg (30mL).
Do not repeat within 2
hours2
Naloxone Opiate-induced IV: 0.4-2 mg; may IV push over 30
0.4 mg/mL respiratory need to repeat doses seconds is preferred.
1 mL vial depression2 every 2-3 minutes. If Also may be given
Acute opiate no response is IM, subcutaneously,
overdosage2 observed after 10 mg, and IV infusion.2
consider other causes
of respiratory
depression. Note:
2004, Rev Feb 2011
 Opioid-dependent
patients may require
lower doses (0.1 mg)
titrated incrementally
to avoid precipitating
acute withdrawal.2

Nitroglycerin (NTG) Acute relief of angina Have the patient in a Repeat NTG doses
(sublingual) pectoris secondary to seated or lying down can be given every 5
0.4 mg tablet coronary artery position. Dissolve 1 minutes for a
syndrome1 NTG tablet under the maximum of 3 doses
tongue. If chest while awaiting
pain/discomfort is ambulance arrival.1
unimproved or
worsening after 5
minutes, call 9-1-1
immediately before
giving additional
NTG.1
Charcoal in Sorbitol GI decontamination2 Oral administration as Contact Poison
4 oz slurry directed by the Poison Center prior to
(25 gm charcoal/ 48 Center; most effective administration
gms sorbitol) when administered 1-800-222-1222
within 30-60 minutes
of ingestion.2
Glucagon Hypoglycemia2 1 mg (1 mL) by IV, Use supplied diluent
1 mg/mL IM, or subcutaneous Discard any unused
1 mL vial injection2 portion2

References

1. Anderson JL, Adams CD, Antman EM, et al. ACC/AHA 2007 guidelines for the management of
patients with unstable angina/non–ST-elevation myocardial infarction—executive summary: a
report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice
Guidelines (Writing Committee to revise the 2002 guidelines for the management of patients with
unstable angina/non–ST-elevation myocardial infarction). J Am Coll Cardiol 2007;50(7):652-726.

2. AHFS Drug Information [Internet]. Bethesda, MD: American Society of Health-System

Pharmacists, Inc. 1959- [cited 2011 Feb 16]. Available from:
http://online.lexi.com/crlsql/servlet/crlonline.

2004, Rev Feb 2011