Dopamine (Intropin)

[swn919]

Hey Guys,

Can yall tell me exactly how to set up a Dopamine (Intropin) IV infusion.... Thanks for yalls help.

[fiznat]

Well there really isnt just ONE way to set it up. As long as you can do the math and know the dose.

As we know, dopamine dosage spans the range of 2 to 20 micrograms per kilogram per minute. The most common way to do this is to make a mixture at the concentration of 1600 micrograms (1.6mg) per ml. A few examples of this concentration:

400mg in a 250 bag

800mg in a 500 bag

1.6 grams in a 1000 bag

etc.

Now just do the math. Pick your dosage range and multiply by the patient's weight, then plug into the formula:

( fluid in bag (in cc) / drug in bag (mg) ) * mg (dosage) * 60gtt = drips per minute

OR just buy one of those ALS pocket guides and they will give you the preferred concentrations and a nifty table that gives you all the drip rates for various weights/dosages.

[akflightmedic]

And lets not forget our 0300 paramedic math calculations....

Take the patients weight in pounds, drop the last number and that is your drip rate which will infuse 5-6mcg/kg/minute every time.

Example: Pt weighs 185 lbs....drop the 5 and start your infusion at 18 gtts a min for a rate of 5mcg/kg/min.

I love shortcuts, are not always best but will save your arse on occassion.

[Ridryder 911]

You need to review local policies, personally I like 800/250 yielding a higher concentration and less fluid in which most of these patients need in cardiogenic shock.. etc. But one must forewarn others the concentration strength.

Here is a nice link a paramedic professor has describing different techniques for dopamine...

http://gaems.net/download/drugcalc.pdf

[sledogg1]

We are 800mg/500 cc bags

Start at 5 ug/kg/min fill your burrol device drip chamber with 20 cc and begin your gtt rate according to your charts. If no B/P changes within 5 mins increase rate 3-5 ug/kg/min until B/P is > 90 mm HG.

Easy way to calculate weight in kg X 5 ug's

------------------------

26

Chris

[sledogg1]

Sorry calculation

weight in kg's times by 5 ug's divide by 26

[AZCEP]

Sorry calculation

weight in kg's times by 5 ug's divide by 26

It's actually 26.67. This is the constant for Dopamine with a 1600 mcg/mL concentration. If your mix is different you will have a different number. If you lop off the 2/3rds of a drip, your drip rate will be off.

The best way, by far, is to use an infusion pump when available.

[sledogg1]

Hum................ok, learn something new everyday.............wish I had a mini infusion pump................that doesn't sound good