OCEMT Paramedic Pharmacology

Atropine

MEDICATION: Atropine
Treatment Protocol Side Effects Precautions
CLASSIFICATION:
• Antiarrhythmic • Tachycardia • Atropine may reverse heart blocks
• Anticholinergic above the AV node
• Antimuscarinic • Glaucoma exacerbation
OCEMS
• Transcutaneous pacing is the
EFFECTS/CHARACTERISTICS: • SO-C-020 Symptomatic Bradycardia • Precipitation of MI preferred treatment for
• Inhibits actions of acetylcholine blocking • SO-M-050 Substance OD Poisoning symptomatic bradycardia
parasympathetic effects on SA and AV nodes • SO-P-085 Substance OD Poisoning Pediatric • Dry mouth
• If time and patient condition permit,
• Improves dromotropic effects • Blurred vision obtain 12 lead ECG to identify
potentially acute MI
• Increases chronotropy with minimal inotropic effects • Dilated pupils
• If STEMI presents evaluate risk vs.
• Inhibits GI secretions and decreases GI motility benefit of Atropine administration

• Dilates pupils • Do not administer for bradycardia

related to head injuries
PHARMACOKINETICS:
• ONSET: 2-4 minutes (IV/IO) 10-15 minutes (IM) • Will not work on heart transplant
• PEAK: 20-30 minutes patients
• DURATION: 2-6 hours

DOSAGE FORM:
• 1 mg/10 ml PFS
• 0.5mg/5 ml PFS
• 1 mg/ml ampule or vial
• 8 mg/20 ml vial

PRE-HOSPITAL ROUTES OF ADMINISTRATION:

• IV
• IO
• IM

Updated 8/28/22