Emergency drug doses

Quick reference for resuscitation and emergency drugs. Enter a patient weight to auto-calculate weight-based doses.

Resuscitation

Drug	Indication	Adult dose	Paediatric dose	Route / dilution
0.9% saline bolusIn bleeding trauma give smaller boluses (250-500 mL) targeting a palpable radial pulse until surgical control; blood is the definitive fluid. Ringer's lactate is an acceptable alternative.	Hypovolaemia, haemorrhagic shock (while arranging blood), burns resuscitation	500 mL-1 L rapid IV bolus, reassess after each bolus	10-20 mL/kg rapid IV bolus, reassess	IV/IO
10% dextrosePreferred over 50% dextrose (less vein damage). Check glucose in every unconscious patient.	Hypoglycaemia (glucose < 3.9 mmol/L or clinical suspicion)	100-250 mL IV (10-25 g), recheck glucose after 10 min	2 mL/kg IV, recheck after 10 min	IV
Adrenaline (anaphylaxis)IM route only for anaphylaxis. Never give 1:1000 IV. Repeat every 5 minutes as needed.	Anaphylaxis with airway swelling, wheeze or hypotension	0.5 mg IM (0.5 mL of 1:1000) into anterolateral thigh; repeat every 5 min if no improvement	0.01 mg/kg IM (max 0.5 mg); 6-12 y: 0.3 mg; 6 mo-6 y: 0.15 mg	IM · Use undiluted 1:1000 (1 mg/mL) for IM
Adrenaline (cardiac arrest)Give during CPR without interrupting compressions.	Cardiac arrest (all rhythms)	1 mg IV/IO every 3-5 min during CPR	0.01 mg/kg IV/IO (max 1 mg) every 3-5 min	IV/IO · 1:10,000 (dilute 1 mg to 10 mL with 0.9% saline); flush with 20 mL
HydrocortisoneSecond-line in anaphylaxis; never delays adrenaline.	Anaphylaxis (after adrenaline), severe asthma, adrenal crisis	200 mg IV	4 mg/kg IV (max 200 mg)	IV/IM
Tranexamic acidGive as early as possible; no proven benefit after 3 hours from injury.	Significant traumatic bleeding within 3 h of injury; postpartum haemorrhage	1 g IV over 10 min, then 1 g IV over 8 h	15 mg/kg IV (max 1 g) over 10 min	IV · Dilute in 100 mL 0.9% saline

Toxicology

Drug	Indication	Adult dose	Paediatric dose	Route / dilution
AtropineEndpoint is a dry chest and drying secretions, not pupil size or heart rate. Large total doses may be needed.	Organophosphate poisoning; symptomatic bradycardia	OP poisoning: 1-3 mg IV, double the dose every 5 min until chest clear and secretions dry. Bradycardia: 0.5-1 mg IV	OP poisoning: 0.02-0.05 mg/kg IV, doubling as for adults	IV
NaloxoneShorter half-life than most opioids; observe for re-sedation and repeat as needed.	Opioid overdose with respiratory depression	0.4 mg IV/IM; repeat every 2-3 min as needed (up to 10 mg)	0.1 mg/kg IV/IM (max 2 mg per dose)	IV/IM

Antimicrobials

Drug	Indication	Adult dose	Paediatric dose	Route / dilution
CeftriaxoneDo not mix with calcium-containing fluids in the same line. Give before transfer in open fractures and suspected sepsis.	Severe sepsis, meningitis, open fractures before referral	1-2 g IV once daily (2 g for meningitis)	50-80 mg/kg IV once daily (max 2 g)	IV/IM · IV: dilute 1 g in 10 mL water for injection, give over 5 min
Tetanus toxoidCheck immunisation history; give tetanus immunoglobulin as well for high-risk wounds where available.	Tetanus-prone wounds (open fractures, contaminated wounds, burns)	0.5 mL IM single dose; complete schedule per EPI guidance	0.5 mL IM	IM

Respiratory

Drug	Indication	Adult dose	Paediatric dose	Route / dilution
DexamethasoneOral route works well in croup if the child can swallow.	Croup; airway oedema; severe asthma (alternative)	6-10 mg IV/PO	0.15 mg/kg PO/IV (max 10 mg), single dose for croup	PO/IV/IM
Salbutamol (nebulised)Watch for tremor and tachycardia. Add ipratropium in severe attacks where available.	Acute asthma / wheeze; bronchospasm	5 mg nebulised with oxygen, repeat every 20 min or continuously in severe attacks	2.5 mg (under 5 y) or 5 mg (5 y and over) nebulised, repeat as needed	Nebulised · Dilute to 4-5 mL with 0.9% saline if needed; drive with oxygen 6-8 L/min

Analgesia & sedation

Drug	Indication	Adult dose	Paediatric dose	Route / dilution
DiazepamWatch for respiratory depression; have bag-valve-mask ready. Rectal route useful without IV access.	Active seizure (status epilepticus), severe agitation	10 mg slow IV (5 mg/min); repeat once after 10 min if still fitting	0.3 mg/kg slow IV (max 10 mg) or 0.5 mg/kg rectal	IV/PR
KetaminePreserves airway reflexes and blood pressure; drug of choice in shocked patients. Emergence reactions possible in adults.	Procedural sedation, induction in shocked patients, analgesia	Analgesia: 0.1-0.3 mg/kg slow IV. Sedation/induction: 1-2 mg/kg IV or 4-5 mg/kg IM	Same weight-based dosing as adults	IV/IM
LorazepamLonger anti-seizure action than diazepam. Same airway precautions.	Active seizure (preferred benzodiazepine where available)	4 mg slow IV; repeat once after 10 min if needed	0.1 mg/kg slow IV (max 4 mg)	IV
MorphineTitrate slowly; monitor respiratory rate. Naloxone must be available.	Severe pain (trauma, burns, cardiac chest pain)	0.1 mg/kg IV in 2 mg increments titrated to pain (typical max 10 mg initial)	0.05-0.1 mg/kg IV titrated	IV · Dilute 10 mg to 10 mL with 0.9% saline (1 mg/mL)
OndansetronGive slowly; may prolong QT at high doses.	Nausea and vomiting	4-8 mg slow IV	0.15 mg/kg IV (max 8 mg)	IV/PO
Paracetamol (IV)Reduce dose in weight < 50 kg and liver disease.	Mild-moderate pain, fever	1 g IV over 15 min every 6 h (max 4 g/day)	15 mg/kg IV every 6 h (max 60 mg/kg/day)	IV/PO

Obstetric

Drug	Indication	Adult dose	Paediatric dose	Route / dilution
Magnesium sulphateMonitor knee reflexes, respiratory rate (>=12) and urine output (>=30 mL/h) before each maintenance dose. Antidote: 10% calcium gluconate 10 mL slow IV.	Eclampsia and severe pre-eclampsia (seizure prevention and treatment)	Loading: 4 g IV over 5-15 min PLUS 10 g IM (5 g in each buttock). Maintenance: 5 g IM every 4 h in alternate buttocks	—	IV + IM · IV: dilute 4 g to 20 mL with 0.9% saline, give slowly. IM: 5 g with 1 mL 2% lidocaine per injection
OxytocinFirst-line uterotonic. Keep refrigerated where possible; protect from heat.	Prevention and treatment of postpartum haemorrhage	Prevention: 10 IU IM after delivery. Treatment: 10 IU IM or 20-40 IU in 1 L 0.9% saline IV infusion	—	IM/IV infusion

Others

Drug	Indication	Adult dose	Paediatric dose	Route / dilution
OmeprazoleDoes not replace resuscitation and referral for endoscopy in active bleeding.	Upper GI bleeding (before referral), severe gastritis	40 mg IV once daily; 80 mg IV bolus in active upper GI bleed per local policy	1 mg/kg IV once daily (max 40 mg)	IV/PO

Always double-check doses, dilutions and contraindications against current national guidelines and the product insert. Calculated doses are capped at the stated maximum where one exists.