A short video that shows the primary uses and dosages for all of the medications that will be on your ACLS exam.
There are several components of your Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) material that you will need to be familiar with in order to pass your exam. However, there might not be one that requires more studying and memorization than ACLS drugs and dosages.
Thankfully, this quick video has all the information you need to help make that process as easy as possible. Here’s what you need to know:
Table of Contents
Adenosine
Primary Uses:
- SVT/PSVT
- Wide QRS Tachycardia
Dose:
- First Dose: 6 mg IV Push
- Second Dose: 12 mg IV Push
Related Article: ACLS Medications Review: Adenosine
Amiodarone
Primary Uses:
- Pulseless VT
- Ventricular Fibrillation (V-Fib)
- Recurrent Hemodynamically Unstable Ventricular Tachycardia
- Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
- Supraventricular Tachyarrhythmias
Dose:
- VT / V-Fib:300 mg IV/IO. May give 150 mg after initial dose
- Tachy / VT: 150 mg IV/IO over 10 minutes. Continuous infusion of 1 mg/min IV for 6 hours, 0.5 mg/min IV for next 18 hours
Related Article: ACLS Medications Review: Amiodarone
Atropine
Primary Uses:
- Symptomatic Bradycardia
- Cardiac Arrest
Dose:
- 0.5 mg IV (Repeat every 3 – 5 minutes
- Max dose: 3 mg
Related Article: ACLS Medications Review: Atropine
Dopamine
Primary Uses:
- Bradycardia
- Hypotension
Dose:
- 2 – 20 mcg/kg/min infusion
- Titrated based on clinical response; tapered on/off slowly
Related Article: ACLS Medications Review: Dopamine
Epinephrine
Primary Uses:
- Cardiac Arrest
- Symptomatic Bradycardia
- Anaphylaxis / Severe Allergic Reactions
- Severe Hypotension
Dose:
- 1 mg (10 mL of 1:10,000 solution)
- Repeat every 3 – 5 minutes
- IV fluid Flush following each dose
Related Article: ACLS Medications Review: Epinephrine
Lidocaine
Primary Uses:
- Ventricular Tachycardia
- Ventricular Fibrillation
Dose:
- Cardiac Arrest from VT / VT:1 – 1.5 mg/kg IV/IO
- Refractory VF:Additional 0.5 – 0.75 mg/kg IV/IO; Repeat every 5 – 10 minutes for max of 3 doses, or 3 mg/kg
- Stable VT: 0.5 – 0.75 mg/kg up to 1.5 mg/kg; Repeat in 0.5 – 0.75 mg/kg doses to max of 3 mg/kg
- Maintenance Infusion:1 – 4 mg/min
Related Article: ACLS Medications Review: Lidocaine
Magnesium
Primary Uses:
- Torsades de Pointes
- Hypomagnesemia (low magnesium)
- Digitalis Toxicity
Dose:
- Initial Dose:1 – 2 g IV/IO diluted in 10 mL D5W
- Infusion Dose: 0.5 – 1 g/hour
Related Article: ACLS Medications Review: Magnesium
Procainamide
Primary Uses:
- Ventricular Arrhythmias
- Supraventricular Arrhythmias
Dose:
- Loading Dose: 15 – 17 mg/kg IV. Give over at least 30 minutes
- Max: 1.5 grams
Additional ACLS Videos:
We have created several other videos to help you with your ACLS certification:
Conclusion:
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