Drug Reference
Clinical drug dosing, indications, contraindications, monitoring, and practical pearls for healthcare professionals.
Epinephrine
Cardiac arrest, Anaphylaxis, Septic shock (vasopressor)Norepinephrine
Septic shock (first-line vasopressor), Distributive shock, Neurogenic shockDopamine
Symptomatic bradycardia, Cardiogenic shock, Septic shock (second-line)Atropine
Symptomatic bradycardia, Organophosphate poisoning, RSI premedication (pediatric)Vasopressin
Septic shock (adjunct to norepinephrine), Cardiac arrest (alternative to epinephrine), Variceal hemorrhageKetamine
RSI induction, Procedural sedation, Acute pain management, Status epilepticusEtomidate
RSI induction, Procedural sedationSuccinylcholine
RSI paralytic (depolarizing)Rocuronium
RSI paralytic (non-depolarizing), Alternative to succinylcholineMidazolam
Procedural sedation, Seizures, Anxiolysis, RSI premedicationFentanyl
Acute pain management, Procedural sedation adjunct, RSI premedication, Post-intubation sedationMorphine
Moderate-severe pain, Acute pulmonary edema, ACS pain managementKetorolac
Moderate pain (renal colic, headache, MSK), Opioid-sparing analgesiaLorazepam
Status epilepticus, Acute agitation, Alcohol withdrawal, AnxiolysisAmiodarone
Refractory VF/pulseless VT, Stable wide-complex tachycardia, Rate control in atrial fibrillationAdenosine
SVT (supraventricular tachycardia), Diagnostic aid for wide-complex tachycardiaMetoprolol
Rate control (atrial fibrillation/flutter), Hypertensive emergency (adjunct), ACSDiltiazem
Rate control (atrial fibrillation/flutter), SVT (second-line)Vancomycin
MRSA coverage, Severe skin/soft tissue infections, Endocarditis, Meningitis (empiric)Piperacillin-Tazobactam
Empiric broad-spectrum coverage, Sepsis, Intra-abdominal infections, Hospital-acquired pneumoniaPropofol
RSI induction, Procedural sedation, Post-intubation sedationLevetiracetam
Status epilepticus (second-line after benzodiazepines), Seizure prophylaxisFosphenytoin
Status epilepticus, Seizure prophylaxisValproic Acid
Status epilepticus, Seizure prophylaxis, Broad-spectrum antiepilepticPhenobarbital
Status epilepticus (third-line), Refractory seizures, Alcohol withdrawal seizuresLacosamide
Status epilepticus (alternative second-line), Focal seizuresPyridoxine (Vitamin B6)
INH (isoniazid) toxicity seizures, Pyridoxine-dependent seizuresSugammadex
Reversal of rocuronium/vecuronium neuromuscular blockadeFlumazenil
Benzodiazepine overdose reversal, Reversal of procedural sedation benzodiazepinesNaloxone
Opioid overdose reversal, Respiratory depression from opioidsProthrombin Complex Concentrate (4-factor)
Warfarin reversal for major bleeding, Urgent surgery in warfarin patients, Factor Xa inhibitor reversal (off-label)Idarucizumab
Dabigatran reversal for life-threatening bleeding or emergency surgeryAndexanet Alfa
Reversal of rivaroxaban or apixaban for life-threatening bleedingVitamin K (Phytonadione)
Warfarin reversal, Vitamin K deficiency coagulopathy, Rodenticide (superwarfarin) poisoningTranexamic Acid (TXA)
Trauma hemorrhage, Postpartum hemorrhage, GI bleeding (controversial), EpistaxisNitroglycerin
Acute coronary syndrome, Hypertensive emergency with pulmonary edema, Acute decompensated heart failureNicardipine
Hypertensive emergency, ICH blood pressure management, Acute ischemic stroke BP controlLabetalol
Hypertensive emergency, Aortic dissection, Preeclampsia/eclampsiaMagnesium Sulfate
Eclampsia/preeclampsia seizure prophylaxis, Torsades de Pointes, Severe asthma, HypomagnesemiaCalcium Gluconate
Hyperkalemia (cardiac membrane stabilization), Calcium channel blocker overdose, Hydrofluoric acid burns, Magnesium toxicityHeparin (Unfractionated)
Acute PE/DVT treatment, ACS adjunct, Atrial fibrillationEnoxaparin
DVT/PE treatment, ACS adjunct, VTE prophylaxisProcainamide
Stable wide-complex tachycardia, WPW with atrial fibrillation, Refractory VF/VT (alternative)Alteplase (tPA)
Acute ischemic stroke, Massive PE with hemodynamic instability, STEMI (if no PCI available)Digoxin Immune Fab
Digoxin toxicity with hemodynamic instability, arrhythmias, or hyperkalemiaN-Acetylcysteine (NAC)
Acetaminophen overdose, Acute liver failure from acetaminophenGabapentin
Neuropathic pain, Postherpetic neuralgia, Adjunct analgesiaAtenolol
Hypertension, Rate control, Post-MICiprofloxacin
Urinary tract infections, Intra-abdominal infections (with metronidazole), PyelonephritisTrimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole
Uncomplicated UTI, MRSA skin infections, PCP prophylaxis/treatmentAspirin
Acute coronary syndrome (ACS), Ischemic stroke (antiplatelet), Pericarditis, Fever/analgesia (non-ED use)Furosemide
Acute decompensated heart failure, Volume overload, Pulmonary edema, Edema from cirrhosis or nephrotic syndromeSpironolactone
HFrEF (GDMT component), Cirrhotic ascites, Resistant hypertension, Primary aldosteronismCeftriaxone
Community-acquired pneumonia, Meningitis, UTI/pyelonephritis, Gonorrhea, Spontaneous bacterial peritonitisMetformin
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (first-line), Prediabetes (off-label), PCOS (off-label)Sertraline
Major depressive disorder, Generalized anxiety disorder, PTSD, Panic disorder, OCD, Social anxiety disorderEscitalopram
Major depressive disorder, Generalized anxiety disorderOlanzapine
Acute agitation, Schizophrenia, Bipolar disorder (acute mania), Chemotherapy-induced nauseaHaloperidol
Acute agitation, Psychosis, Delirium, Intractable nausea/vomitingBuprenorphine/Naloxone
Opioid use disorder (OUD), Opioid withdrawal management, ED-initiated buprenorphine for OUDOxytocin
Labor induction, Labor augmentation, Postpartum hemorrhage (uterine atony)Misoprostol (OB)
Cervical ripening before induction, Postpartum hemorrhage, Early pregnancy failure managementMagnesium Sulfate (OB)
Eclampsia seizure prophylaxis, Eclampsia treatment, Fetal neuroprotection (<32 weeks), Tocolysis (off-label, short-term)Nimodipine
Prevention of vasospasm after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhageSumatriptan
Acute migraine, Cluster headacheLevothyroxine
Hypothyroidism, TSH suppression after thyroid cancerAmlodipine
Hypertension, Chronic stable angina, Vasospastic (Prinzmetal) anginaLisinopril
Hypertension, Heart failure (HFrEF), Diabetic nephropathy, Post-MIAtorvastatin
ASCVD risk reduction, Hyperlipidemia, Post-ACS, Stroke preventionProchlorperazine
Acute migraine (ED treatment), Nausea and vomiting, Vertigo-associated nauseaCefazolin
Surgical site infection prophylaxis (first-line), Skin and soft tissue infections, CellulitisOmeprazole
GERD, Peptic ulcer disease, H. pylori eradication (triple therapy), Stress ulcer prophylaxis, Zollinger-Ellison syndrome
Cardiac arrest, Anaphylaxis, Septic shock (vasopressor)Norepinephrine
Septic shock (first-line vasopressor), Distributive shock, Neurogenic shockDopamine
Symptomatic bradycardia, Cardiogenic shock, Septic shock (second-line)Atropine
Symptomatic bradycardia, Organophosphate poisoning, RSI premedication (pediatric)Vasopressin
Septic shock (adjunct to norepinephrine), Cardiac arrest (alternative to epinephrine), Variceal hemorrhageKetamine
RSI induction, Procedural sedation, Acute pain management, Status epilepticusEtomidate
RSI induction, Procedural sedationSuccinylcholine
RSI paralytic (depolarizing)Rocuronium
RSI paralytic (non-depolarizing), Alternative to succinylcholineMidazolam
Procedural sedation, Seizures, Anxiolysis, RSI premedicationFentanyl
Acute pain management, Procedural sedation adjunct, RSI premedication, Post-intubation sedationMorphine
Moderate-severe pain, Acute pulmonary edema, ACS pain managementKetorolac
Moderate pain (renal colic, headache, MSK), Opioid-sparing analgesiaLorazepam
Status epilepticus, Acute agitation, Alcohol withdrawal, AnxiolysisAmiodarone
Refractory VF/pulseless VT, Stable wide-complex tachycardia, Rate control in atrial fibrillationAdenosine
SVT (supraventricular tachycardia), Diagnostic aid for wide-complex tachycardiaMetoprolol
Rate control (atrial fibrillation/flutter), Hypertensive emergency (adjunct), ACSDiltiazem
Rate control (atrial fibrillation/flutter), SVT (second-line)Vancomycin
MRSA coverage, Severe skin/soft tissue infections, Endocarditis, Meningitis (empiric)Piperacillin-Tazobactam
Empiric broad-spectrum coverage, Sepsis, Intra-abdominal infections, Hospital-acquired pneumoniaPropofol
RSI induction, Procedural sedation, Post-intubation sedationLevetiracetam
Status epilepticus (second-line after benzodiazepines), Seizure prophylaxisFosphenytoin
Status epilepticus, Seizure prophylaxisValproic Acid
Status epilepticus, Seizure prophylaxis, Broad-spectrum antiepilepticPhenobarbital
Status epilepticus (third-line), Refractory seizures, Alcohol withdrawal seizuresLacosamide
Status epilepticus (alternative second-line), Focal seizuresPyridoxine (Vitamin B6)
INH (isoniazid) toxicity seizures, Pyridoxine-dependent seizuresSugammadex
Reversal of rocuronium/vecuronium neuromuscular blockadeFlumazenil
Benzodiazepine overdose reversal, Reversal of procedural sedation benzodiazepinesNaloxone
Opioid overdose reversal, Respiratory depression from opioidsProthrombin Complex Concentrate (4-factor)
Warfarin reversal for major bleeding, Urgent surgery in warfarin patients, Factor Xa inhibitor reversal (off-label)Idarucizumab
Dabigatran reversal for life-threatening bleeding or emergency surgeryAndexanet Alfa
Reversal of rivaroxaban or apixaban for life-threatening bleedingVitamin K (Phytonadione)
Warfarin reversal, Vitamin K deficiency coagulopathy, Rodenticide (superwarfarin) poisoningTranexamic Acid (TXA)
Trauma hemorrhage, Postpartum hemorrhage, GI bleeding (controversial), EpistaxisNitroglycerin
Acute coronary syndrome, Hypertensive emergency with pulmonary edema, Acute decompensated heart failureNicardipine
Hypertensive emergency, ICH blood pressure management, Acute ischemic stroke BP controlLabetalol
Hypertensive emergency, Aortic dissection, Preeclampsia/eclampsiaMagnesium Sulfate
Eclampsia/preeclampsia seizure prophylaxis, Torsades de Pointes, Severe asthma, HypomagnesemiaCalcium Gluconate
Hyperkalemia (cardiac membrane stabilization), Calcium channel blocker overdose, Hydrofluoric acid burns, Magnesium toxicityHeparin (Unfractionated)
Acute PE/DVT treatment, ACS adjunct, Atrial fibrillationEnoxaparin
DVT/PE treatment, ACS adjunct, VTE prophylaxisProcainamide
Stable wide-complex tachycardia, WPW with atrial fibrillation, Refractory VF/VT (alternative)Alteplase (tPA)
Acute ischemic stroke, Massive PE with hemodynamic instability, STEMI (if no PCI available)Digoxin Immune Fab
Digoxin toxicity with hemodynamic instability, arrhythmias, or hyperkalemiaN-Acetylcysteine (NAC)
Acetaminophen overdose, Acute liver failure from acetaminophenGabapentin
Neuropathic pain, Postherpetic neuralgia, Adjunct analgesiaAtenolol
Hypertension, Rate control, Post-MICiprofloxacin
Urinary tract infections, Intra-abdominal infections (with metronidazole), PyelonephritisTrimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole
Uncomplicated UTI, MRSA skin infections, PCP prophylaxis/treatmentAspirin
Acute coronary syndrome (ACS), Ischemic stroke (antiplatelet), Pericarditis, Fever/analgesia (non-ED use)Furosemide
Acute decompensated heart failure, Volume overload, Pulmonary edema, Edema from cirrhosis or nephrotic syndromeSpironolactone
HFrEF (GDMT component), Cirrhotic ascites, Resistant hypertension, Primary aldosteronismCeftriaxone
Community-acquired pneumonia, Meningitis, UTI/pyelonephritis, Gonorrhea, Spontaneous bacterial peritonitisMetformin
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (first-line), Prediabetes (off-label), PCOS (off-label)Sertraline
Major depressive disorder, Generalized anxiety disorder, PTSD, Panic disorder, OCD, Social anxiety disorderEscitalopram
Major depressive disorder, Generalized anxiety disorderOlanzapine
Acute agitation, Schizophrenia, Bipolar disorder (acute mania), Chemotherapy-induced nauseaHaloperidol
Acute agitation, Psychosis, Delirium, Intractable nausea/vomitingBuprenorphine/Naloxone
Opioid use disorder (OUD), Opioid withdrawal management, ED-initiated buprenorphine for OUDOxytocin
Labor induction, Labor augmentation, Postpartum hemorrhage (uterine atony)Misoprostol (OB)
Cervical ripening before induction, Postpartum hemorrhage, Early pregnancy failure managementMagnesium Sulfate (OB)
Eclampsia seizure prophylaxis, Eclampsia treatment, Fetal neuroprotection (<32 weeks), Tocolysis (off-label, short-term)Nimodipine
Prevention of vasospasm after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhageSumatriptan
Acute migraine, Cluster headacheLevothyroxine
Hypothyroidism, TSH suppression after thyroid cancerAmlodipine
Hypertension, Chronic stable angina, Vasospastic (Prinzmetal) anginaLisinopril
Hypertension, Heart failure (HFrEF), Diabetic nephropathy, Post-MIAtorvastatin
ASCVD risk reduction, Hyperlipidemia, Post-ACS, Stroke preventionProchlorperazine
Acute migraine (ED treatment), Nausea and vomiting, Vertigo-associated nauseaCefazolin
Surgical site infection prophylaxis (first-line), Skin and soft tissue infections, CellulitisOmeprazole
GERD, Peptic ulcer disease, H. pylori eradication (triple therapy), Stress ulcer prophylaxis, Zollinger-Ellison syndrome