Medication reference

EMT medications list.

Every drug in the EMT scope of practice with dose, route, indications, contraindications, and the NREMT trap that goes with it.

The EMT drug list at a glance

Drug	Dose	Route	Indications	Contraindications
OxygenO₂	1–6 L/min NC; 10–15 L/min NRB; BVM at 15 L/min	Inhalation	Hypoxia (SpO₂ < 94%), respiratory distress, shock, suspected CO exposure	None absolute in the hypoxic patient
AspirinASA	162–324 mg (two to four 81 mg tablets), chewed	PO (chewed)	Suspected acute coronary syndrome / chest pain of cardiac origin	ASA allergy, active GI bleed, bleeding disorders, recent GI surgery, children with fever
NitroglycerinNitrostat, NTG	0.4 mg SL, may repeat q5 min up to 3 doses	Sublingual tablet or spray	Chest pain of suspected cardiac origin; some systems allow CHF/pulmonary edema	SBP < 100 mmHg, PDE-5 inhibitor (sildenafil/tadalafil) in 24–48 h, head injury, suspected right-sided/inferior MI, HR < 50 or > 100 per protocol
Epinephrine (auto-injector)EpiPen, Auvi-Q	Adult 0.3 mg IM; pediatric 0.15 mg IM. Repeat in 5–15 min if no improvement	IM — lateral thigh (vastus lateralis)	Anaphylaxis; severe allergic reaction with respiratory compromise or hypotension	No true contraindication in anaphylaxis. Use caution in cardiac history/hypertension
AlbuterolProventil, Ventolin	2.5 mg in 3 mL NS nebulized; MDI 2 puffs	Nebulizer / MDI	Bronchospasm — asthma, COPD exacerbation, some allergic reactions	Known hypersensitivity; caution with tachydysrhythmias
Oral glucoseGlutose, Insta-Glucose	15–25 g (one tube) buccal	PO / buccal (between cheek and gum)	Suspected hypoglycemia in a patient who is awake with an intact gag reflex	Unresponsive patient, no gag reflex, unable to swallow, suspected stroke with dysphagia
NaloxoneNarcan	2–4 mg IN (1–2 mg per nostril) or 0.4–2 mg IM; repeat q2–3 min	Intranasal / IM (auto-injector)	Suspected opioid overdose with respiratory depression	Known hypersensitivity
Activated charcoalActidose, InstaChar	Adult 25–50 g; pediatric 12.5–25 g (1 g/kg)	PO	Certain recent ingested poisonings, per medical direction	Altered mental status, inability to swallow, ingestion of acids/alkalis/petroleum products
Aspirin-free analgesia / nitrous oxideNitronox (system dependent)	Self-administered 50:50 nitrous/oxygen blend	Inhalation	Isolated extremity injury pain where allowed by state scope	Altered mental status, suspected pneumothorax, bowel obstruction, chest trauma, pregnancy (per protocol)
Epinephrine 1:1,000 (draw-up, where authorized)Adrenalin	0.3 mg (0.3 mL of 1 mg/mL) IM adult	IM	Anaphylaxis where the state allows EMTs to draw from a vial or use a check-and-inject kit	Same as auto-injector; verify concentration before drawing

Drug-by-drug NREMT traps

Oxygen

Do not withhold oxygen from a hypoxic COPD patient. Titrate to 94–99%, but treat hypoxia first.

Aspirin

Must be chewed, not swallowed whole. Aspirin is given even if the patient already took nitro.

Nitroglycerin

Always ask about erectile-dysfunction and pulmonary-hypertension drugs. Reassess BP between every dose.

Epinephrine (auto-injector)

Hives alone is not anaphylaxis; airway swelling, wheezing, or hypotension is. Delayed epi kills — give it.

Albuterol

Expect tachycardia and tremor — these are side effects, not a reason to stop. Reassess lung sounds after the treatment.

Oral glucose

Never place glucose in the mouth of an altered patient who cannot protect the airway — aspiration risk.

Naloxone

Titrate to adequate respirations, not to full alertness. Ventilate first — BVM before Narcan.

Activated charcoal

Rarely used in modern EMS and always requires medical direction. It does not bind alcohols, iron, or lithium.

Aspirin-free analgesia / nitrous oxide

Patient must hold the mask themselves — that self-limiting feature is the safety mechanism.

Epinephrine 1:1,000 (draw-up, where authorized)

1:1,000 is IM. 1:10,000 is the cardiac-arrest IV concentration and is not in EMT scope.

Administered vs. assisted

The NREMT distinguishes drugs an EMT carries and administers from drugs an EMT only helps a patient take from their own prescription. Commonly assisted medications include:

Prescribed metered-dose inhaler (albuterol, levalbuterol)
Prescribed nitroglycerin
Prescribed epinephrine auto-injector
Small-volume nebulizer, where the state allows

Next level up

AEMT medications list — IV access, D10, glucagon, and more.
Paramedic drug list — the full ALS drug box.
Epinephrine dosing guide
Naloxone dosing guide
Nitroglycerin guide

FAQ

How many medications can an EMT give?

Most states authorize 6 to 8: oxygen, oral glucose, aspirin, nitroglycerin, epinephrine auto-injector, albuterol, naloxone, and sometimes activated charcoal. Some are administered, others are only 'assisted' with the patient's own prescription. Always confirm your state and local protocol.

Can EMTs give albuterol?

In most states an EMT may assist a patient with their own prescribed MDI, and a growing number of states allow EMTs to administer a 2.5 mg nebulized treatment from the service's supply. Check your state scope of practice.

What are the contraindications to nitroglycerin?

Systolic BP under 100 mmHg, a phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor such as sildenafil or tadalafil within 24 to 48 hours, head injury, and suspected right ventricular infarction. Reassess blood pressure before every dose.

What is the pediatric epinephrine auto-injector dose?

0.15 mg IM into the lateral thigh for patients under roughly 30 kg, and 0.3 mg IM for larger children and adults. Follow the weight cutoff in your protocol.

How should I study EMT medications for the NREMT?

Learn each drug as a set: indication, contraindication, dose, route, and the one scenario where giving it would harm the patient. The NREMT tests contraindications and drug interactions far more often than it tests exact doses.

Drill these on real NREMT-style questions

Pharmacology is one of the highest-yield NREMT areas. Run a free practice set and see which drugs you actually know cold.

Start a free practice test

Educational reference only. Medication scope, doses, and routes vary by state and local medical direction — always follow your protocols. NREMT is a registered trademark of the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians, which does not endorse this site.