Medications Part1

1. What are the common indications for mixing two or more medications in one syringe?
 Combining two drugs in one syringe avoids the discomfort of two injections. Usually,
drugs can be mixed in a syringe in one of four ways: They may be combined from two
multidose vials (for example, regular and long-acting insulin), from one multidose vial
and one ampule, from two ampules, or from a cartridge-injection system combined with
either a multidose vial or an ampule. Such combinations are contraindicated when the
drugs aren’t compatible and when combined doses exceed the amount of solution that can
be absorbed from a single injection site.
2. Provide at least one example of medicines that can be mixed in one syringe?
 Humalog and Humulin N can be mixed in the same syringe, if Humalog is mixed with a
longer-acting insulin, such as Humulin N or Humulin U, Humalog should be drawn into
the syringe first to prevent clouding of the Humalog by the longer-acting insulin.
3. What are the risks and harm associated with mixing medications?
 The risks of polydrug use depend on the types and amounts of drugs mixed. Combining
drugs amplifies pleasurable and negative effects. Mixing stimulants, such as ecstasy and
cocaine, can increase the user’s high, but also their risk of heart attack.
 The greatest risk of polydrug use is “combined drug intoxication.” Combined drug
intoxication is a common cause of emergency room visits and has claimed the lives of
countless individuals. The greatest risk of combined drug intoxication is death.