As of 2016, medications other than epinephrine (adrenaline), while included in guidelines, have not been shown to improve survival to hospital discharge following out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.
This includes the use of atropine, lidocaine, and amiodarone.
Epinephrine in adults, as of 2019, appears to improve survival but does not appear to improve neurologically normal survival.
It is generally recommended every five minutes.
Vasopressin overall does not improve or worsen outcomes compared to epinephrine.
The combination of epinephrine, vasopressin, and methylprednisolone appears to improve outcomes.
Some of the lack of long-term benefit may be related to delays in epinephrine use.
While evidence does not support its use in children, guidelines state its use is reasonable.
Lidocaine and amiodarone are also deemed reasonable in children with cardiac arrest who have a shockable rhythm.
The general use of sodium bicarbonate or calcium is not recommended.
The use of calcium in children has been associated with poor neurological function as well as decreased survival.
Correct dosing of medications in children is dependent on weight.
To minimize time spent calculating medication doses, the use of a Broselow tape is recommended.

The 2010 guidelines from the American Heart Association no longer contain the recommendation for using atropine in pulseless electrical activity and asystole for want of evidence for its use.
Neither lidocaine nor amiodarone, in those who continue in ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation despite defibrillation, improves survival to hospital discharge but both equally improve survival to hospital admission.

Thrombolytics when used generally may cause harm but may be of benefit in those with a confirmed pulmonary embolism as the cause of arrest.
Evidence for use of naloxone in those with cardiac arrest due to opioids is unclear but it may still be used.
In those with cardiac arrest due to local anesthetic, lipid emulsion may be used.
As of 2016, medications other than epinephrine (adrenaline), while included in guidelines, have not been shown to improve survival to hospital discharge following out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. This includes the use of atropine, lidocaine, and amiodarone. Epinephrine in adults, as of 2019, appears to improve survival but does not appear to improve neurologically normal survival. It is generally recommended every five minutes. Vasopressin overall does not improve or worsen outcomes compared to epinephrine. The combination of epinephrine, vasopressin, and methylprednisolone appears to improve outcomes. Some of the lack of long-term benefit may be related to delays in epinephrine use. While evidence does not support its use in children, guidelines state its use is reasonable. Lidocaine and amiodarone are also deemed reasonable in children with cardiac arrest who have a shockable rhythm. The general use of sodium bicarbonate or calcium is not recommended. The use of calcium in children has been associated with poor neurological function as well as decreased survival. Correct dosing of medications in children is dependent on weight. To minimize time spent calculating medication doses, the use of a Broselow tape is recommended.
The 2010 guidelines from the American Heart Association no longer contain the recommendation for using atropine in pulseless electrical activity and asystole for want of evidence for its use. Neither lidocaine nor amiodarone, in those who continue in ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation despite defibrillation, improves survival to hospital discharge but both equally improve survival to hospital admission.
Thrombolytics when used generally may cause harm but may be of benefit in those with a confirmed pulmonary embolism as the cause of arrest. Evidence for use of naloxone in those with cardiac arrest due to opioids is unclear but it may still be used. In those with cardiac arrest due to local anesthetic, lipid emulsion may be used.
Cardiac arrest