Dug shortages

[FFD#60]

We all know that Bretylium is on it's way out due to "shortage". However, as an ACLS and PALS instructor I'm a little worried about the lack of training that is taking place dealing with amiodarone. I know of quite a few of fire depts and private services already going to mag sulfate instead of training on amiodarone. Has anyone else had this problem?!


Also, we are now having problems getting D25.

Just curious if this a national problem or just local.

[This message has been edited by FFD#60 (edited July 01, 2000).]

[Trauma_Dog]

No, most of the services around here have already been using both in there v-fib protocol.

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Kent Simon
Paramedic Incharge
MCHD EMS,
Montgomery Co.,TX

[Lt.2]

We lost Bretylium also. We now have Epi, Lidocaine, and Mag. Sulfate. Nobody around us is using Amiodarone. I recertified in A.C.L.S. this spring and got a handout on it and that was it.

[Boothby]

Amiodarone is comming. I taught ACLS last month and our coordinator told all the instructors that we would be having an instructor update in the fall due to major changes comming in ACLS. What he told us is that Amiodarone will be replacing Lidocane in at least the V-fib algorithm. Now I haven't seen anything in writing from the AHA about this, but our guy is reliable, and if he is planning on doing an update in the fall, then chances are good that this is stait information.

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Larry Boothby
Firefighter/Paramedic
Truck 3 A-shift
Local 1784
Memphis.

[Medic445]

Amiodarone is coming with the stopping of production of Bretylium. At the JEMS conference in Orlando a few months ago, one of the speakers was on the national ACLS faclty for the AHA. Amiodarone will most likely replace Bretylium in the V-Fib/Pulseless V-Tach algorhythm. The use of Procainamide will also be changing as well as the use of Adenosine. More info should be out soon as the AHA has instructor rollouts with the info.

[GunghoEMTP]

We too have been unable to get bretylium for about a year now, and have heard the same thing that cordarone will soon be replacing it in the V-Fib algorithm. Have heard some positive things about it and am looking forward to trying it prehospital.

[FIREMEDIC BILL]

My department has been carring cordarone for six months, additionally we took off bretylium. I have administered cordarone twice in a cardiac arrest/ v-fib, converting one of these two patients successfully. We still also administer lidocaine for vfib, however cordarone is 1st line Rx after Epi for vfib or pulseless vtach.

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FIREMEDIC BILL JENNINGS
GWINNETT FIRE/GRAYSON GA.
STATION 8-B SHIFT
ENGINE AND MED 8

[MedicResQ]

We went with out Bretylium for about 45 days and D25 also. I took notice that all of these that we are getting now have safety lure locks I don’t know if that had anything to do with the supply problem also if it makes a different were in North Carolina and our meds are from Baxter