Common Emergency Medications in the ICU
Jun 12, 2019
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Shen Yonghua
Introduction
Cardiovascular agents include epinephrine, isoproterenol, atropine, digoxin (Cedilanid), amiodarone, and lidocaine.
Respiratory stimulants commonly stocked include lobeline, nikethamide, and aminophylline.
Agents for regulating electrolyte and fluid balance include furosemide, calcium gluconate, and potassium chloride.
Other medications include sodium nitroprusside, nitroglycerin, magnesium sulfate, and promethazine.
The Intensive Care Unit (ICU) is a specialized treatment unit for patients with acute, critical, and life-threatening illnesses. Such patients often present with unstable respiratory and circulatory function, hemodynamic instability, and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS).
Given these conditions, patients are prone to sudden clinical deterioration that may endanger their lives. Therefore, ICU treatment protocols not only incorporate comprehensive vital sign monitoring and life-support systems but also maintain a relatively complete inventory of emergency medications.
For example, cardiovascular emergency medications commonly stocked include epinephrine, isoproterenol, atropine, digoxin, amiodarone, and lidocaine. Respiratory stimulants frequently available include lobeline, nikethamide, and aminophylline. Electrolyte and fluid balance regulators include furosemide, calcium gluconate, and potassium chloride. Other emergency drugs include sodium nitroprusside, nitroglycerin, magnesium sulfate, and promethazine.
Furthermore, specialized ICUs—such as Pediatric ICUs (PICUs), Neonatal ICUs (NICUs), and Coronary Care Units (CCUs)—stock additional specialty-specific emergency medications tailored to the unique clinical needs of their patient populations. These augment and complement the standard emergency drug regimen; specific medication selections depend on the distinctive clinical characteristics of the patients admitted to each unit.
