Symptom relief medications

Symptom relief medications are medications that paramedics in Ontario are certified to administer under a base hospital physician's license. The Ministry of Health and Long Term Care has established a minimum standard of care for the province, however, base hospitals can add medications at their discretion. The number and type of medications beyond the minimum standard also varies with the paramedic scope of practice (Primary, Advanced or Critical Care Paramedics).

Primary Care Paramedic (PCP) base medications are:

Generic Name	Trade Name	Indications
Acetylsalicylic acid	Aspirin	ischemic chest pain, myocardial infarction
Epinephrine		severe asthma exacerbation, and acute anaphylaxis
Glucagon (plus glucose, as indicated)		hypoglycemia
Nitroglycerin		Acute cardiogenic pulmonary edema and ischemic chest pain
Salbutamol	Ventolin	Bronchoconstriction

The paramedic is issued a standing order for each use of the medications listed above which includes indications and contraindications for the drugs. Administration of the drugs however, is based solely on the paramedic's judgment.

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