Effect of ionizing radiation on advanced life support medications
Advanced life support medications stored in emergency department stretcher areas, diagnostic radiology rooms, and radiotherapy suites are exposed to ionizing radiation. We hypothesized that radiation may decrease the potency and thus the shelf life of medications stored in these areas. Atropine, dopamine, epinephrine, and isoproterenol were exposed to a wide range of ionizing radiation. The potency of the four drugs was unaffected by levels of radiation found in ED stretcher areas and high-volume diagnostic radiograph rooms (eg, chest radiograph, computed tomography, fluoroscopy). The potency of atropine may be reduced by gamma radiation in high-use radiotherapy suites. However, dopamine, epinephrine, and isoproterenol were unaffected by high doses of gamma radiation. Atropine, dopamine, epinephrine, and isoproterenol may be safely kept in ED stretcher areas and diagnostic radiology rooms without loss of potency over the shelf life of the drugs.
- Research Organization:
- Cook County Hospital, Chicago, IL
- OSTI ID:
- 6352619
- Journal Information:
- Ann. Emerg. Med.; (United States), Vol. 6
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
TU-E-201-00: Eye Lens Dosimetry for Patients and Staff
TU-E-201-01: Methods for Eye Lens Dosimetry and Studies On Lens Opacities with Interventionists
Related Subjects
ADRENALINE
BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
ATROPINE
DOPAMINE
GAMMA RADIATION
IONIZING RADIATIONS
STABILITY
X RADIATION
ADRENAL HORMONES
ALKALOIDS
AMINES
AROMATICS
AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM AGENTS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
CARDIOTONICS
CARDIOVASCULAR AGENTS
DRUGS
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
HORMONES
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
NEUROREGULATORS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PARASYMPATHOLYTICS
PHENOLS
POLYPHENOLS
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIATIONS
STEROID HORMONES
SYMPATHOMIMETICS
560120* - Radiation Effects on Biochemicals
Cells
& Tissue Culture