Always confirm current dose recommendations in a reputable formulary or other publication. Do your own math calculations and ensure the stock solutions are the same concentrations as the examples below, or that you are making the correct adjustments.
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| Drug | Stock solution or Reconstitution instructions | Administration |
| Dobutamine | Stock solution 12.5mg/mL 2cc of 12.5mg/mL dobutamine added to 58cc 0.9% NaCl (417mcg/mL) Stable 1-2 weeks, cover/protect from light | 2.5-20mcg/kg/min Start at 2.5mcg/kg/min using syringe pump |
| Dopamine | Stock solution varies, this is for the 40mg/mL stock – Always confirm!! 1cc of 40mg/mL dopamine added to 59cc 0.9% NaCl (667mcg/mL) Stable 1-2 weeks, cover/protect from light | 5-20mcg/kg/min Start at 5mcg/kg/min using syringe pump Solution turns pink as it denatures |
| Epinephrine | Stock solution 1mg/mL in multi-use vial Dose <0.5mcg/kg/min: (8mcg/mL solution) 4mg (4mL) in 500cc D5W or 0.9% NaCl w/ 5% dextrose Dose 0.5mcg/kg/min or higher (40mcg/mL solution) 4mg (4mL) into 100cc D5W or NaCl w/ 5% dextrose Stable 24h, cover/protect from light | 0.05-1mcg/kg/min Use syringe pump, program concentration and dose Anaphylaxis or peri-arrest crisis: 1cc epinephrine in 1L of 0.9% NaCl Start @3cc/kg/h; titrate rapidly to effect May go higher but side effects greatly increase, treat underlying cause if possible before increasing |
| Norepinephrine | Stock solution 1mg/mL in 4mL single-use vial Dose <0.5mcg/kg/min: (8mcg/mL solution) 4mg (4mL) in 500cc D5W or 0.9% NaCl w/ 5% dextrose Dose 0.5mcg/kg/min or higher: (40mcg/mL solution) 4mg (4mL) into 100cc D5W or NaCl w/ 5% dextrose Stable 24h, cover/protect from light | 0.05-2mcg/kg/min Draw into syringe and deliver using syringe pump for appropriate level of accuracy Crisis resuscitation: 4mg (4mL) NE in 250cc 0.9% NaCl Start at 0.5cc/kg/h |
| Vasopressin | Stock solution 20U/mL in 1mL or 10mL vials Dose <3mU/kg/min (5mU/mL) 0.25mL vasopressin (5U) into 1L 0.9%NaCl or D5W Dose 3mU/kg/min or higher (10mU/mL) 0.5mL vasopressin (5U) into 1L 0.9%NaCl or D5W Stable 18h at room temperature or 24h in refrigerator Vial is stable 30d in refrigerator after first puncture | 0.5-5mU/kg/min (start at 0.5mU/kg/min) Draw into syringe and deliver using syringe pump for appropriate level of accuracy Pay careful attention to concentration: stock solution is in pressor units, dose is in milliunits. |
