Common NICU Medications

 
Maximum Concentrations of Neonatal Infusions
Drug Peripheral IV UAC/UVC Central Line (Broviac/PCVC)
Amphotericin B 0.1 mg/ml 0.2 mg/ml 0.2 mg/ml
Dextrose 12.5% 18% 30%
Potassium Chloride 0.1 mEq/mL 0.2 mEq/mL 0.25 mEq/mL
Sodium Chloride 0.5 mEq/mL (3%) 1 mEq/mL (6%) 2 mEq/mL (12%)

Drips

Drug Recommended Dose
Dopamine 1 to 20 mcg/kg/min
Dobutamine 5 to 20 mcg/kg/min
Amrinone (in 1/2 NS or NS ONLY) 75 mcg/kg bolus, then 3 to 10 mcg/kg/min
 
 
For the above drugs, use the following formula:
6 * kg * 20 = # mg per 100 mL diluent, such that 1 cc/hour = 20 mcg/kg/min
Example for 1.2 kg patient 

Dobutamine, 144 mg in 100 mL 1/2 NS 
Infuse at 0.25 mL/hour (equals 5 mcg/kg/hour)
 
Drug Recommended Dose
Epinephrine 0.1-1 mcg/kg/min
Norepinephrine 0.05-2 mcg/kg/min
Isoproterenol 0.05-2 mcg/kg/min
 
 
For the above low-dosage drugs, use the following formula:
0.6 * kg = # mg per 100 mL diluent, such that 1 cc/hour = 0.1 mcg/kg/min
Example for 1.2 kg patient 

Epinephrine 0.72 mg in 100 mL 1/2 NS 
Infuse at 0.5 mL/hour (equals 0.05 mcg/kg/min)
 
Drug Recommended Dose
Dopamine 1 to 20 mcg/kg/min
Dobutamine 5 to 20 mcg/kg/min
Amrinone (in 1/2 NS or NS ONLY) 75 mcg/kg bolus, then 3 to 10 mcg/kg/min
 
 
For the above drugs, use the following formula:
6 * kg * 20 = # mg per 100 mL diluent, such that 1 cc/hour = 20 mcg/kg/min
Example for 1.2 kg patient 

Dobutamine, 144 mg in 100 mL 1/2 NS 
Infuse at 0.25 mL/hour (equals 5 mcg/kg/hour)
 
 
Drug Dose
Alprostadil (Prostaglandins) 0.05 - 0.4 mcg/kg/min
 
Drug is provided in 500 mcg/1 mL ampules
Example for 1.2 kg patient 

Alprostadil, 500 mcg ni 100 mL diluent 
Infuse at 1.44 mL/hour (equals 0.1 mcg/kg/min)
 
 
Drug  Dose Standard Dilution
Fentanyl 0.5 - 5 mcg/kg/hour 10 mcg/mL
Furosemide 0.05 - 0.2 mcg/kg/hour 1 mg/mL
Midazolam 0.05 - 0.2 mg/kg/hour 1 mg/mL
Morphine 0.01 - 0.025 mg/kg/hour 1 mg/mL
Pancuronium 0.05 - 0.1 mg/kg/hour 1 mg/mL
Propofol (Diprivan) 100 - 300 mcg/kg/hour 10 mg/mL
Sodium Bicarbonate dose depends on base deficit 0.5 mEq/mL (4.2% solution)
Terbutaline 0.5 - 6 mcg/kg/min 1 mg/mL
 
Neonatology
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Please direct all comments to: addy
Last modification: December 4, 1998