High Alert Medications
High alert medications are those medications that have a high risk of causing injury or death when improperly handled or administered. Exercise extreme caution when administering these medications:
Top High Alert Drugs |
nAdrenergic agonists (e.g., Epinephrine, isoproterenol, Norepinephrine) ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
n Cardioplegic solutions |
n Chemotherapeutic agents |
n Chloral hydrate (in pediatric patients) |
n Colchicine injection ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
n High concentration dextrose([1]10%dextrose) ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
n Hypoglycemic agents (oral) |
n Hypertonic sodium chloride injection ([1] 0.9% concentration) |
n Insulin |
n IV adrenergic antagonists (propranolol, esmolol, metoprolol) |
n IV calcium; IV magnesium sulfate |
n IV digoxin |
n IV potassium (phosphate and chloride) |
n Lidocaine/ benzocaine other topical anesthetics |
n Midazolam |
n Neuromuscular blocking agents |
n Opiates (opioids) |
n Thrombolytics, heparin, warfarin |