Australian Medications Trivia Quiz

Answer: Paracetamol

Yes, acetaminophen is paracetamol. Handy to know if you are travelling between two countries and you have a headache. Paracetamol (on its own) can be purchased in Australia from supermarkets, service (gas) stations, and even my local video store. In combination with other stronger pain-killing agents it may only be available from the local chemist (drugstore).

Answer: Poisons Schedule

ALL drugs are poisons, and in Australia are classified according to a Poisons Schedule. The rules for where certain drugs can be sold vary from state to state, and in some states the pharmacist needs to record to whom the drugs were sold.
In New South Wales, S2 drugs can only be sold in a pharmacy, S4 drugs can only be sold by having a prescription. Some of the "milder" narcotic painkillers are S4, whilst stronger narcotics (morphine for example) are S8 drugs. These drugs also require a prescription, however there are more rules regarding supply on them.

Answer: Heart conditions

Antiarrhythmic agents help to control conditions such as atrial or ventricular fibrillation. Many of the drugs used have applications for other conditions as well.

Answer: Rye

The ingestion of rye occasionally caused severe side effects, the worst of which was gangrenous limbs. Ergotamine causes vasoconstriction, beneficial in those who suffer with migraines caused by dilation of the blood vessels in the brain.

Answer: Naloxone

Naloxone is referred to by some paramedics as "Vitamin Heeeeyyyy" after the response you get by the person to whom it is administered! Parvolex is for paracetamol overdose, and amyl nitrate is for cyanide poisoning. Antabuse is often given to alcoholics to assist them in giving up alcohol.

Answer: Lasix

Lasix, also known as furosemide or frusemide, is often used by paramedics to treat pulmonary oedema in the field. Furosemide is the internationally accepted spelling of frusemide, but it has been known here as frusemide for a number of years. Many of our international colleagues also give furosemide to treat pulmonary oedema in the field. Before I start a riot - Oedema and Edema are the same word - Oedema is the accepted spelling in Australia and England, and furosemide is the internationally accepted spelling of the drug that is known here as frusemide.

Answer: Antenex

Antenex is a name under which diazepam (often commonly known as Valium) is sold in Australia. All of the other drugs listed are anti-convulsants too. Epilim is sodium valproate, Tegretol is carbamazepine, and Neurontin is gabapentin.

Answer: Kapanol

For those of you familiar with Australian drugs, you might have noticed that all the other names are Opiods, not Opiates like Morphine. Sublimaze is fentanyl citrate, Fortral is pentazocine, and Temgesic is buprenorphine.

Answer: Mersyndol

Mersyndol contains paracetamol, codeine and doxylamine succinate, and is only available from a pharmacy. Restavit is doxylamine succinate only, and is an over-the-counter remedy for insomnia. Painaway is a remedy for menstrual pain from an episode of "The Young Ones".

Answer: Cocaine

Cocaine can be applied topically to produce local anaesthesia. Cocaine abuse by "snorting" or nasal inhalation can lead to permanent stuffiness of the nose, and deterioration of the nasal septum.