ALS Drug / Effects ?

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magik20

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Im a new paramedic student, and its been hard for me to get a good grasp of what drugs do what, and when to use them.

My paramedic book seems alittle washy on the topic as well..... any good resources that makes all this clear?
 
EAsiest thing for me was choose a condition, then study the drugs for that condition and what they do. This made it a lot easier on me because not only is it a real world scenerio, but knowing WHY we give the drug makes you know why we give other drugs too.

Take chest pain. When you find out why we give ASA, Nitro and Morphine, it clicks.
 
Get a decent pathophysiology book and a pharm book
 
What book are you using? If you have taken anatomy and physiology, the pharm section in your book should be a good introduction to the way drugs work. Your program should have also given you a list of medications that need to be learned over the course of your school, and drug cards should have been provided as well. These cards will have the mechanisms of action and indications on them, which after reading up on how drugs work, will enable you to understand what is going on.
 
daedalus said:
What book are you using? If you have taken anatomy and physiology, the pharm section in your book should be a good introduction to the way drugs work. Your program should have also given you a list of medications that need to be learned over the course of your school, and drug cards should have been provided as well. These cards will have the mechanisms of action and indications on them, which after reading up on how drugs work, will enable you to understand what is going on.
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My class wasn't provided cards at the beginning, we were given our drugs over time to learn by body system (there were some overlapping drugs of course). Now at the end of class we're getting note cards to compare to what we've already researched and maybe some we haven't researched. I like learning the way Linuss outlined. Makes more sense when you look at it like that. I've also heard good things about Dr. Jeffery Guy's Pharmacology book.
 
I read the paramedic drug protocols of my area for every single drug, then, in alphabetical order, looked up each in the PDR and read the entire entry. I also researched them in my Lehne's Pharmacology for Nursing Care textbook.

It only somewhat worked because I have a strong background in college A&P (on my 3rd semester), but still I did this for my own curiousity rather than for paramedic school.
 
Dominion said:
My class wasn't provided cards at the beginning, we were given our drugs over time to learn by body system (there were some overlapping drugs of course). Now at the end of class we're getting note cards to compare to what we've already researched and maybe some we haven't researched. I like learning the way Linuss outlined. Makes more sense when you look at it like that. I've also heard good things about Dr. Jeffery Guy's Pharmacology book.
Click to expand...
Ok, so you have been through a good portion of school and are still struggling, and in that case its time to go ahead and buy the Dr. Guy book. I have a feeling it will solve your problems. His podcasts are available for free through iTunes as well.
 
daedalus said:
Ok, so you have been through a good portion of school and are still struggling, and in that case its time to go ahead and buy the Dr. Guy book. I have a feeling it will solve your problems. His podcasts are available for free through iTunes as well.
Click to expand...

I agree and am waiting for some money to come open, I listen to his podcasts whenever I'm in the car and I've gone from struggling to well on the path to better understanding just from that alone. The next hurdle is remembering dosages.
 
As a paramedic student myself; i have to say pharmacology is my biggest struggle also. What helped me was first reading and understanding the pathophysiology of the body systems. That is the key.

A drugs is going to act on certain parts or systems of your body by either mimicking, exaggerating, or blocking a response, action or function. Also, most drugs references aren't crystal clear "plain text". You'll often have to do a lot of cross reference and internet searching to get a detailed breakdown. Almost like a research project for each medication. Last, experience is the best teacher. Clinicals and Veteran Medic's, Nurse's and M.D.'s are going to be able to give a realistic comprehension.
 
I've been listening to some of the Dr. Guiy podcasts (his ICU Rounds podcast is also really great); I don't have his book but watch this space.

I think that the A&P/patho is like 99% of the battle, the pharm is the other 1% because you are simply learning what the meds do.

Oh well then there's all the contraindications and dosages which are like 99% of that other 1% so well oh man .... *gets out his protocol book :P
 
I had the same problem.
First, in the 'Mosby's Paramedic Textbook' (my course book) there's a chapter on the ALS drugs (backrounds, indication, c.indication, side-effects etc) and our course sergeants gave us another booklet with information such as dosage for kids and more.

good luck
 
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