Epinephrine

Epinephrine should be used early in cardiac arrest with PEA or asystole. The initial dose is 1 mg, followed by the same dose at 3- to 5-minute intervals. This is earlier than in the shockable arrest pathway (where it is administered only after the second defibrillation). The benefits of epinephrine are its alpha-adrenergic and vasoconstrictive effects and its ability to increase coronary and cerebral perfusion while CPR is ongoing.