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