Description

The Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) has listed a number of medications that are potentially high risk.


 

Classes or Categories of Drugs

Examples

adrenergic agonists, IV

epinephrine

adrenergic antagonists, IV

propranolol

agents for moderate sedation, IV

 

agents for moderate sedation, oral for children

chloral hydrate

anesthetic agents for general anesthesia

propofol

anticoagulants

warfarin (Coumadin), low molecular weight hepariun, unfractionated heparin

cardioplegic solutions

 

chemotherapeutic agent, oral or parenteral

 

concentrated electrolyte solutions, IV

hypertonic sodium chloride (> 0.9%), concentrated potassium chloride, magnesium sulfate, potassium phosphate

dialysis solutions

peritoneal or hemodialysis

drugs for intrathecal or epidural injection

 

glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors

eptifibatide

hypoglycemic agents, injectable

insulin

hypoglycemic agents, oral

 

inotropic agents

digoxin, milrinone

liposomal drug formulations

amphotericin B

neuromuscular blocking agents

succinylcholine

opiates or narcotics, oral or IV

 

radiocontrast agents, IV

 

a thrombolytic or fibrinoytic agent, IV

tenecteplase

total parenteral nutrition (TPN) solutions

 

 

Specific drugs that may be high risk:

(1) amiodarone, IV

(2) hypertonic (>= 20%) dextrose, IV

(3) lidocaine, IV

(4) nesiritide

(5) nitroprusside sodium, IV

(6) colchicine

(7) methotrexate, oral


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