Disclaimer: This guideline has been developed within the context of Alfred Health service delivery. Alfred Health shall not be responsible for the use of any information contained in this
document by another organisation outside of Alfred Health.
STANDARDISED DRUG INFUSIONS - * Refer to individual guidelines on DrugNet for full information
Drugs
(Presentation)
Clinical
Areas
Loading
Dose
6 mg in 100 mL
Syringe
(Volume)
Use “volume”
only as a guide
– always check
calculation.
Adrenaline
IV bag
Drug
Dose
Solution
Sodium Chloride 0.9%/Glucose
5% unless otherwise stated
Volume
to
remove
from IV
bag*
Infusion
Pump
Final
Concentration
1 mL/hr =
Usual Dose
Range
(Infusion rate)
Comments
Unless stated, drugs can
be infused either via a
peripheral or central line
Start on lowest dose
and titrate to effect
Critical Care
areas
-
6 mg
(6 mL)
100 mL
-
-
ALARIS
60 mcg/ mL
1 mcg/min
1-20 mcg/min
(1-20 mL/hr)
Administered via
central access only.
Post op
cardiothoracic
pts in ICU
-
3 mg
(3 mL)
-
Total volume
of 50 mL
-
Syringe
driver
60 mcg/ mL
1 mcg/min
1-20 mcg/min
(1-20 mL/hr)
Administered via
central access only.
Critical Care
Areas & 5EA
For theophylline
naïve pts 5
mg/kg
(rate < 20 to 25
mg/min)
1g
(40 mL)
500 mL
-
-
ALARIS
2 mg/ mL
2 mg/hr
20-60 mg/hr
(10-30 mL/hr)
Adjust dose
according to levels
ICU & fluid
restricted
patients in 3C
3-7 mg/kg/over
20min
900 mg
(18 mL)
Total volume
of 90 mL
-
28 mL
ALARIS
10 mg/ mL
10 mg/hr
10-50 mg/hr
(1-5 mL/hr)
Administered via
central access only
Refer to rate
conversion Table on
page 13
-
-
ALARIS
2 mg/ mL
2 mg/hr
10-50 mg/hr
(5-25 mL/hr)
IV infusion should be
changed to oral within
24 hrs, if possible.
Refer to DrugNet rate
conversion table
Amiodarone
Maintenance
Infusion Table
(1 mg in 1 mL)
Adrenaline
3 mg in 50 mL
(1 mg in 1 mL)
Aminophylline
(250 mg in 10 mL)
Amiodarone
900 mg in 90 mL
Glucose 5%
(150 mg in 3 mL)
Amiodarone
1g in 500 mL
(150 mg in 3 mL)
Restricted to
critical care
& cardiac
specialist
areas.
3-7 mg/kg/over
20min
1g
(20 mL)
500 mL
Glucose 5%
Critical Care Areas = Intensive Care Unit, Emergency Department, Coronary Care, Operating Theatre & Recovery
*Volume removed from IV bag only when volume of drug is 10% of IV bag
Refer to individual drug infusion guidelines on Drugnet for more detailed information
Page 1 of 15
Target:
All Medical, Nursing and Pharmacy Staff
Maintained by: Drug Information Centre (DIC)
Contact:
phone 62002, email d.information@alfred.org.au.
Developed:
1/1/04
Last amended: 08/04/2011
Review Due: Constantly
Last Review by: Drug Information
being updated
Service 26/11/2009
Endorsed by: DTC April 2004
Disclaimer: This guideline has been developed within the context of Alfred Health service delivery. Alfred Health shall not be responsible for the use of any information contained in this
document by another organisation outside of Alfred Health.
STANDARDISED DRUG INFUSIONS - * Refer to individual guidelines on DrugNet for full information
Drugs
(Presentation)
Clinical
Areas
Loading
Dose
Syringe
(Volume)
Use “volume”
only as a guide
– always check
calculation.
Cisatracurium
IV bag
Drug
Dose
Solution
Sodium Chloride 0.9%/Glucose
5% unless otherwise stated
Volume
to
remove
from IV
bag*
Infusion
Pump
Final
Concentration
1 mL/hr =
Usual Dose
Range
(Infusion rate)
Comments
Unless stated, drugs can
be infused either via a
peripheral or central line
Start on lowest dose
and titrate to effect
ICU
0.15
mg/kg over
30sec
50 mg
(25 mL)
-
Total volume
of 50 mL
-
Syringe
driver
1 mg/ mL
1 mg/hr
1-20 mg/hr
(1-20 mL/hr)
Critical Care
Areas, 3CTC
-
500 mg
(40 mL)
In a total
volume of
83 mL
-
57 mL
ALARIS
6 mg/ mL
100
mcg/min
100-1500
mcg/min
(1-15 mL/hr)
(10 mg in 5 mL)
Dobutamine
(Acute)
(250 mg in 20 mL
or 250 mg as
powder – To
reconstitute: add 20
mL WFI or 5%
glucose* ONLY
Dopamine
(exceptionally up
to 3000 mcg/min
(30 mL/hr)
-
-
600 mg
(15 mL)
100 mL
-
15 mL
ALARIS
(200 mg in 5 mL)
6 mg/ mL
100
mcg/min
100-3000
mcg/min
(1-30 mL/hr)
(5 mcg/kg/min is
the max. dose for
ward patients)
Critical Care Areas = Intensive Care Unit, Emergency Department, Coronary Care, Operating Theatre & Recovery
*Volume removed from IV bag only when volume of drug is 10% of IV bag
Refer to individual drug infusion guidelines on Drugnet for more detailed information
Page 2 of 15
Target:
All Medical, Nursing and Pharmacy Staff
Maintained by: Drug Information Centre (DIC)
Contact:
phone 62002, email d.information@alfred.org.au.
Developed:
1/1/04
Last amended: 08/04/2011
Review Due: Constantly
Last Review by: Drug Information
being updated
Service 26/11/2009
Endorsed by: DTC April 2004
A central venous line is
recommended.
Administer using large
vein ONLY in an
emergency and if
central access planned.
*To ensure correct
final concentration, do
not remove glucose for
reconstitution from the
100 mL glucose bag
A central venous line is
preferable.
Administer using large
vein
Notify ICU/parent unit
if dopamine is being
commenced for
hypotension, or BP
by 20 mmHg or rate
exceeds 5 mcg/kg/min.
Disclaimer: This guideline has been developed within the context of Alfred Health service delivery. Alfred Health shall not be responsible for the use of any information contained in this
document by another organisation outside of Alfred Health.
STANDARDISED DRUG INFUSIONS - * Refer to individual guidelines on DrugNet for full information
Drugs
(Presentation)
Clinical
Areas
Loading
Dose
Syringe
(Volume)
Use “volume”
only as a guide
– always check
calculation.
Fentanyl
IV bag
Drug
Dose
Solution
Sodium Chloride 0.9%/Glucose
5% unless otherwise stated
Volume
to
remove
from IV
bag*
Infusion
Pump
Final
Concentration
1 mL/hr =
Usual Dose
Range
(Infusion rate)
General wards
under Acute
Pain Services
1-3
mcg/kg
500 mcg
(10 mL)
-
Total Volume
of 50 mL
-
PCA in
wards
10 mcg/ mL
10 mcg/hr
10-150 mcg/hr
(1-15 mL/hr)
Fentanyl PCA may be
prescribed and run on
the wards only after
consultation with Acute
pain services
ICU
1-3
mcg/kg
1000 mcg
(20 mL)
100 mL
-
20 mL
ALARIS
in ICU
10 mcg/ mL
10 mcg/hr
10-150 mcg/hr
(1-15 mL/hr)
Fentanyl PCA may be
prescribed and run on
the wards only after
consultation with Acute
pain services
ICU, ED
0.1-0.3 mg
incr., max.2.0
mg
5 mg
(50 mL)
-
50 mL
(Undiluted)
-
ALARIS
syringe
0.1 mg/ mL
0.1 mg/hr
0.1-0.5 mg/hr
(1-5 mL/hr)
Critical Care
Areas
-
500 mg
(50 mL)
-
50 mL
(Undiluted)
-
ALARIS
syringe
10 mg/ mL
10 mg/hr
10-100 mg/hr
(1-10 mL/hr)
-
30 mg
(6 mL)
-
Total volume
of 50 mL
-
syringe
driver
600 mcg/
mL
10 mcg/min
5-200 mcg/min
(0.5-20 mL/hr)
Administer via central
access only.
In extreme cases can
use up to 400 mcg/min
-
150 mg
(30 mL)
500 mL
-
30 mL
ALARIS
300 mcg/
mL
5 mcg/min
5-200 mcg/min
Administer using a
large vein
(100 mcg in 2 mL;
500 mcg in 10 mL)
Flumazenil
Unless stated, drugs can
be infused either via a
peripheral or central line
Start on lowest dose
and titrate to effect
(100 mcg in 2 mL;
500 mcg in 10 mL)
Fentanyl
Comments
(500 mcg in 5 mL)
Frusemide
(250 mg in 25 mL)
Glyceryl
Trinitrate
(GTN)
30 mg in 50 mL
Glyceryl
Trinitrate
(GTN)
150 mg in 500 mL
Critical Care Areas = Intensive Care Unit, Emergency Department, Coronary Care, Operating Theatre & Recovery
*Volume removed from IV bag only when volume of drug is 10% of IV bag
Refer to individual drug infusion guidelines on Drugnet for more detailed information
Page 3 of 15
Target:
All Medical, Nursing and Pharmacy Staff
Maintained by: Drug Information Centre (DIC)
Contact:
phone 62002, email d.information@alfred.org.au.
Developed:
1/1/04
Last amended: 08/04/2011
Review Due: Constantly
Last Review by: Drug Information
being updated
Service 26/11/2009
Endorsed by: DTC April 2004
(1 – 40 mL/hr)
Disclaimer: This guideline has been developed within the context of Alfred Health service delivery. Alfred Health shall not be responsible for the use of any information contained in this
document by another organisation outside of Alfred Health.
STANDARDISED DRUG INFUSIONS - * Refer to individual guidelines on DrugNet for full information
Drugs
(Presentation)
Clinical
Areas
Loading
Dose
IV bag
Drug
Dose
Syringe
(Volume)
Use “volume”
only as a guide
– always check
calculation.
Refer to The
Anticoagulant
Guidelines
Heparin
Solution
Sodium Chloride 0.9%/Glucose
5% unless otherwise stated
25,000 unit
250 mL
-
Volume
to
remove
from IV
bag*
Infusion
Pump
-
ALARIS
Final
Concentration
1 mL/hr =
Usual Dose
Range
(Infusion rate)
Comments
Unless stated, drugs can
be infused either via a
peripheral or central line
Start on lowest dose
and titrate to effect
100 units/
mL
100 units/hr
500–1500
units/hr
(5 – 15 mL/hr)
0.9%
Sodium
Chloride
Premixed
Refer to Anticoagulant
Guidelines (page 11)
for loading dose,
starting rate, dose
adjustments,
frequency of APTTs.
(pre-mix)
Hydrocortisone
100 mg over 30
seconds
100 mg
(5 mL)
100 mL
-
-
ALARIS
1 mg/ mL
1 mg/hr
2-10 mg/hr
(2-10 mL/hr)
-
50 unit
(0.5 mL)
-
Total volume
of 50 mL
-
ALARIS
syringe
1 unit/ mL
1 unit/hr
1-20 units/hr
(1-20 mL/hr)
Refer to relevant
Intravenous Actrapid
Infusion Guidelines.
A central line is
preferable
Or administer using a
large vein
(100 mg in powder;
add 5 mL of Water
for Injection)
Insulin
-
(Neutral Clear)
Actrapid®
0.9% Sodium
Chloride
(100 units/ mL)
Isoprenaline
-
6 mg
(30 mL)
100 mL
-
30 mL
ALARIS
60 mcg/ mL
1 mcg/min
1-20 mcg/min
(1-20 mL/hr)
-
200 mg
(2 mL)
-
Total Volume
of 50 mL
-
PCA
(wards) or
ALARIS
(ICU)
4 mg/ mL
4 mg/hr
7-20 mg/hr
(1.75 - 5 mL/hr)
(1 mg in 5 mL)
Ketamine
200 mg in 50 mL
(200 mg in 2 mL)
ICU or
General
Wardsfollowing
consultation
with Acute
Pain Service
Critical Care Areas = Intensive Care Unit, Emergency Department, Coronary Care, Operating Theatre & Recovery
*Volume removed from IV bag only when volume of drug is 10% of IV bag
Refer to individual drug infusion guidelines on Drugnet for more detailed information
Page 4 of 15
Target:
All Medical, Nursing and Pharmacy Staff
Maintained by: Drug Information Centre (DIC)
Contact:
phone 62002, email d.information@alfred.org.au.
Developed:
1/1/04
Last amended: 08/04/2011
Review Due: Constantly
Last Review by: Drug Information
being updated
Service 26/11/2009
Endorsed by: DTC April 2004
Ketamine infusions
may be prescribed and
run on the wards after
consultation with
Acute Pain Service
Disclaimer: This guideline has been developed within the context of Alfred Health service delivery. Alfred Health shall not be responsible for the use of any information contained in this
document by another organisation outside of Alfred Health.
STANDARDISED DRUG INFUSIONS - * Refer to individual guidelines on DrugNet for full information
Drugs
(Presentation)
Clinical
Areas
Loading
Dose
Syringe
(Volume)
Use “volume”
only as a guide
– always check
calculation.
Lignocaine
IV bag
Drug
Dose
ED, ICU,
Cardiology &
3CTC wards
Solution
Sodium Chloride 0.9%/Glucose
5% unless otherwise stated
Volume
to
remove
from IV
bag*
Infusion
Pump
Final
Concentration
1 mL/hr =
Usual Dose
Range
(Infusion rate)
Comments
Unless stated, drugs can
be infused either via a
peripheral or central line
Start on lowest dose
and titrate to effect
1-1.5 mg/kg
(usually 75-100
mg)
1200 mg
(12 mL)
100 mL
-
12 mL
ALARIS
12 mg/ mL
0.2 mg/min
4 mg/min (20 mL/hr)
for 1 hr, then
3 mg/min (15 mL/hr)
for 1hr, then
Continue at 2 mg/min
(10 mL/hr)
-
2400 mg
(24 mL)
500 mL
-
-
ALARIS
4.8 mg/ mL
0.08 mg/min
2 mg/min (25
mL/hr) is usual
dose.
For treatment of
CARDIAC
ARRHYTHMIAS
Review infusion rate
at 24 hours to avoid
lignocaine toxicity.
(500 mg in 5 mL)
Lignocaine
 See guideline for
monitoring
considerations.
For treatment of
MIGRAINE/
REBOUND/
HEADACHE
/NEUROPATHIC
PAIN
(500 mg in 5 mL)
Midazolam
(50 mg in 10 mL)
Milrinone
(Acute)
Usually
administered
in Critical
Care areas
1-10 mg
100 mg
(20 mL)
100 mL
-
20 mL
ALARIS
1 mg/ mL
1 mg/hr
1-10 mg/hr
(1-10 mL/hr)
Notify ICU when
commencing
continuous midazolam
infusion on ward
patients.
Critical Care
areas
50 mcg/kg over
10-20min
30 mg
(30 mL)
100 mL
-
30 mL
ALARIS
300 mcg/
mL
5 mcg/min
5-50 mcg/min
(1-10 mL/hr)
See Milrinone
protocol on DrugNet
for usual infusion
rates for other areas
(10 mg in 10 mL)
Critical Care Areas = Intensive Care Unit, Emergency Department, Coronary Care, Operating Theatre & Recovery
*Volume removed from IV bag only when volume of drug is 10% of IV bag
Refer to individual drug infusion guidelines on Drugnet for more detailed information
Page 5 of 15
Target:
All Medical, Nursing and Pharmacy Staff
Maintained by: Drug Information Centre (DIC)
Contact:
phone 62002, email d.information@alfred.org.au.
Developed:
1/1/04
Last amended: 08/04/2011
Review Due: Constantly
Last Review by: Drug Information
being updated
Service 26/11/2009
Endorsed by: DTC April 2004
Disclaimer: This guideline has been developed within the context of Alfred Health service delivery. Alfred Health shall not be responsible for the use of any information contained in this
document by another organisation outside of Alfred Health.
STANDARDISED DRUG INFUSIONS - * Refer to individual guidelines on DrugNet for full information
Drugs
(Presentation)
Clinical
Areas
Loading
Dose
50 mg in 50 mL
pre-made syringe
Morphine
General Wards
following
consultation
with Acute
Pain Service
ICU
ONLY
2.5-20 mg
Volume
to
remove
from IV
bag*
Infusion
Pump
-
PCA
1 mg/ mL
1 mg/hr
PCA only
-
-
ALARIS
1 mg/ mL
1 mg/hr
1-20 mg/hr
(1-20 mL/hr)
Total volume of
-
ALARIS
Syringe
0.1 mg/ mL
0.1 mg/hr
0.1-0.4 mg/hr
(1-4 mL/hr)
-
Syringe
driver
0.2 mg/ mL
0.2 mg/hr
0.5-2 mg/hr
(2.5-10 mL/hr)
Solution
Sodium Chloride 0.9%/Glucose
5% unless otherwise stated
50 mg
Total volume of
-
Final
Concentration
1 mL/hr =
Usual Dose
Range
(Infusion rate)
2.5-20 mg
120 mg
(1.5 mL)
Total volume
of
120 mL
ICU *
0.2 mg incr.,
max 1.2 mg
2.4 mg
(6 mL)
-
-
10 mg
(50 mL)
-
24 mL
-
50 mL
(Undiluted)
Usual dose 30
mcg/kg/hr
(10 mg in 50 mL)
Critical Care Areas = Intensive Care Unit, Emergency Department, Coronary Care, Operating Theatre & Recovery
*Volume removed from IV bag only when volume of drug is 10% of IV bag
Refer to individual drug infusion guidelines on Drugnet for more detailed information
Page 6 of 15
Unless stated, drugs can
be infused either via a
peripheral or central line
Morphine PCA may be
prescribed and run on the
wards only after
consultation with Acute
Pain Services
Add 18.5 mL
sodium
chloride
0.9% or
glucose 5%
to the 100
mL bags
(0.4 mg/ mL)
Nimodipine
Comments
Start on lowest dose
and titrate to effect
50 mL
(120 mg in 1.5 mL)
Naloxone
Syringe
(Volume)
Use “volume”
only as a guide
– always check
calculation.
Morphine
IV bag
Drug
Dose
Target:
All Medical, Nursing and Pharmacy Staff
Maintained by: Drug Information Centre (DIC)
Contact:
phone 62002, email d.information@alfred.org.au.
Developed:
1/1/04
Last amended: 08/04/2011
Review Due: Constantly
Last Review by: Drug Information
being updated
Service 26/11/2009
Endorsed by: DTC April 2004
*Outside ICU if
patient known by ICU
& Acute pain services
+ continuous
monitoring of SaO2,
RR & Sedation score
ONLY give IV when
oral/enteral not
possible.
Administer through a
central venous
catheter by continuous
infusion.
Disclaimer: This guideline has been developed within the context of Alfred Health service delivery. Alfred Health shall not be responsible for the use of any information contained in this
document by another organisation outside of Alfred Health.
STANDARDISED DRUG INFUSIONS - * Refer to individual guidelines on DrugNet for full information
Drugs
(Presentation)
Clinical
Areas
Loading
Dose
Syringe
(Volume)
Use “volume”
only as a guide
– always check
calculation.
Noradrenaline
IV bag
Drug
Dose
Critical Care
Areas & 3CTC
-
Solution
Sodium Chloride 0.9%/Glucose
5% unless otherwise stated
6 mg
(6 mL)
100 mL
-
Volume
to
remove
from IV
bag*
Infusion
Pump
-
ALARIS
Final
Concentration
1 mL/hr =
(Infusion rate)
60 mcg/ mL
1 mcg/min
-
3 mg
(3 mL)
Total Volume
of 50 mL
-
-
Syringe
driver
60 mcg/ mL
1 mcg/min
1-20 mcg/min
(1-20 mL/hr)
(in extreme cases up
to 100 mcg/min
= 100 mL/hr)
Glucose 5%
(2 mg in 2 mL)
Octreotide
1-20 mcg/min
(1-20 mL/hr)
(in extreme cases up
to 100 mcg/min
= 100 mL/hr)
(2 mg in 2 mL)
Post-op
cardiothoracic
Pts in theatre
Comments
Unless stated, drugs can
be infused either via a
peripheral or central line
Start on lowest dose
and titrate to effect
Glucose 5%
Noradrenaline
Usual Dose
Range
-
50 mcg
500 mcg
100 mL
-
-
ALARIS
5 mcg/ mL
5 mcg/hr
25-50 mcg/hr
(5-10 mL/hr)
ICU and
General Wards
following
consultation
with Acute
Pain Services
2.5-20 mg
50 mg
-
Total volume of
-
ALARIS
syringe in
ICU/ PCA
wards
1 mg/ mL
1 mg/hr
PCA
Administered via
central access only.
Administer using
large vein ONLY in
an emergency and
if central access
planned
Recommended max.
dose for 3CTC is 5
mcg/min = 5 mL/hr
Administered via
central access only.
Administer using
large vein ONLY
in an emergency
and if central
access planned
(50 mcg in 1 mL;
100 mcg in 1 mL;
500 mcg in 1 mL)
Oxycodone
50 mg in 50 mL
(10 mg in 1 mL)
50 mL
Critical Care Areas = Intensive Care Unit, Emergency Department, Coronary Care, Operating Theatre & Recovery
*Volume removed from IV bag only when volume of drug is 10% of IV bag
Refer to individual drug infusion guidelines on Drugnet for more detailed information
Page 7 of 15
Target:
All Medical, Nursing and Pharmacy Staff
Maintained by: Drug Information Centre (DIC)
Contact:
phone 62002, email d.information@alfred.org.au.
Developed:
1/1/04
Last amended: 08/04/2011
Review Due: Constantly
Last Review by: Drug Information
being updated
Service 26/11/2009
Endorsed by: DTC April 2004
Oxycodone PCA
may be prescribed
and run on the
wards only after
consultation with
Acute Pain
Services
Liase with
Pallcare/Med onc
for use via a
syringe driver
Disclaimer: This guideline has been developed within the context of Alfred Health service delivery. Alfred Health shall not be responsible for the use of any information contained in this
document by another organisation outside of Alfred Health.
STANDARDISED DRUG INFUSIONS - * Refer to individual guidelines on DrugNet for full information
Drugs
(Presentation)
Clinical
Areas
Loading
Dose
Syringe
(Volume)
Use “volume”
only as a guide
– always check
calculation.
Potassium
IV bag
Drug
Dose
Solution
Sodium Chloride 0.9%/Glucose
5% unless otherwise stated
Volume
to
remove
from IV
bag*
Infusion
Pump
Final
Concentration
1 mL/hr =
(Infusion rate)
(200 mg in 20 mL
amp; 500 mg in 50
mL vial)
Protamine
-
10mmol
100 mL
-
-
ALARIS
0.1mmol/ mL
0.1mmol/hr
Infuse over at
least one hour
10mmol/hr
(100 mL/hr)
Premixed 30mmol
KCL in 1L bags
available.
Also refer to IV
Potassium Guideline
ICU
ONLY
-
50mmol
(50 mL)
-
50 mL
(Undiluted)
-
Syringe
driver
1mmol/ mL
1mmol/hr
2.5-30mmol/hr
(2.5-30 mL/hr)
Administered via
central access only
ICU, ED, OR
& Recovery
Room –
SEDATION
indication
Only
0.5 - 2.5 mg/kg
ICU, ED, OR
& Recovery
Room
25-50 mg
ICU, ED & 5E
250 mcg (slow)
500 mg
(50 mL)
-
-
ALARIS
10 mg/ mL
10 mg/hr
20-200 mg/hr
(2-20 mL/hr)
Max: 3 mg/kg/hr
-
10 mL
ALARIS
1 mg/ mL
1 mg/hr
1-10 mg/hr
(1-10 mL/hr)
-
-
ALARIS
60 mcg/ mL
1 mcg/min
2-20 mcg/min
(2-20 mL/hr)
50 mL
VIAL
undiluted
(If infusing
from original
vial change
infusion and IV
lines every 12
hrs). See also
comments
100 mg
(10 mL)
100 mL
(50 mg in 5 mL)
Salbutamol
6 mg
(7 mL)
5 mg in 5 mL +
2x500 mcg in 1
mL
(5 mg in 5 mL;
500 mcg in 1 mL)
100 mL
Critical Care Areas = Intensive Care Unit, Emergency Department, Coronary Care, Operating Theatre & Recovery
*Volume removed from IV bag only when volume of drug is 10% of IV bag
Refer to individual drug infusion guidelines on Drugnet for more detailed information
Page 8 of 15
Unless stated, drugs can
be infused either via a
peripheral or central line
-
(10mmol in 10 mL)
Propofol
Comments
Start on lowest dose
and titrate to effect
Premixed
Potassium
Usual Dose
Range
Target:
All Medical, Nursing and Pharmacy Staff
Maintained by: Drug Information Centre (DIC)
Contact:
phone 62002, email d.information@alfred.org.au.
Developed:
1/1/04
Last amended: 08/04/2011
Review Due: Constantly
Last Review by: Drug Information
being updated
Service 26/11/2009
Endorsed by: DTC April 2004
Also refer to IV
Potassium Guideline
See Propofol Infusion
Guideline for details
Maximum dose for
sedation is 3 mg/kg/hr
to minimise risk of
propofol infusion
syndrome
If transferring
propofol to a syringe
– the infusion and IV
lines MUST be
changed every 6 hrs
Disclaimer: This guideline has been developed within the context of Alfred Health service delivery. Alfred Health shall not be responsible for the use of any information contained in this
document by another organisation outside of Alfred Health.
STANDARDISED DRUG INFUSIONS - * Refer to individual guidelines on DrugNet for full information
Drugs
(Presentation)
Clinical
Areas
Loading
Dose
Syringe
(Volume)
Use “volume”
only as a guide
– always check
calculation.
Sodium
Nitroprusside
IV bag
Drug
Dose
Critical Care
areas
-
50 mg
(2 mL)
Solution
Sodium Chloride 0.9%/Glucose
5% unless otherwise stated
Total volume
83 mL
Glucose 5%
-
Volume
to
remove
from IV
bag*
Remove
19 mL
from 100
mL bag
Infusion
Pump
Final
Concentration
1 mL/hr =
Usual Dose
Range
(Infusion rate)
For pts in
critical care
areas & 3CTC
-
ICU
ONLY
1-5 mg/kg
30 mg
(1.2 mL)
-
Total volume of
-
50 mL
1g
(20 mL)
100 mL
Glucose 5%
ALARIS
600 mcg/
mL
10 mcg/min
20-400 mcg/min
(2-40 mL/hr)
A central line is
preferable.
Administer using a
large vein.
Monitor Se
thiocyanate levels if
admin > 48 hrs.
Protect infusion from
light
-
Syringe
driver
600 mcg/
mL
10 mcg/min
20-400 mcg/min
(2-40 mL/hr)
A central line is
preferable.
Administer using a
large vein.
Monitor Se
thiocyanate levels if
admin > 48 hrs.
Protect infusion from
light
20 mL
ALARIS
10 mg/ mL
10 mg/hr
50-300 mg/hr
(5-30 mL/hr)
Avoid extravasation
or intra-arterial
administration
(50 mg in 2 mL vial)
Thiopentone
-
(500 mg powder;
add 10 mL of Water
for Injection)
Critical Care Areas = Intensive Care Unit, Emergency Department, Coronary Care, Operating Theatre & Recovery
*Volume removed from IV bag only when volume of drug is 10% of IV bag
Refer to individual drug infusion guidelines on Drugnet for more detailed information
Page 9 of 15
Target:
All Medical, Nursing and Pharmacy Staff
Maintained by: Drug Information Centre (DIC)
Contact:
phone 62002, email d.information@alfred.org.au.
Unless stated, drugs can
be infused either via a
peripheral or central line
Start on lowest dose
and titrate to effect
(50 mg in 2 mL vial)
Sodium
Nitroprusside
Comments
Developed:
1/1/04
Last amended: 08/04/2011
Review Due: Constantly
Last Review by: Drug Information
being updated
Service 26/11/2009
Endorsed by: DTC April 2004
Disclaimer: This guideline has been developed within the context of Alfred Health service delivery. Alfred Health shall not be responsible for the use of any information contained in this
document by another organisation outside of Alfred Health.
STANDARDISED DRUG INFUSIONS - * Refer to individual guidelines on DrugNet for full information
Drugs
(Presentation)
Clinical
Areas
Loading
Dose
Syringe
(Volume)
Use “volume”
only as a guide
– always check
calculation.
Tramadol
IV bag
Drug
Dose
-
-
Solution
Sodium Chloride 0.9%/Glucose
5% unless otherwise stated
500 mg
(10 mL)
-
40units
(2 mL)
-
Total volume of
Volume
to
remove
from IV
bag*
Infusion
Pump
Final
Concentration
1 mL/hr =
Usual Dose
Range
(Infusion rate)
ICU
ONLY
-
-
PCA
10 mg/ mL
10 mg/hr
4-24 mg/hr
(0.4-2.4 mL/hr)
Restricted to use
under Acute Pain
Services or ICU
Consultant /Registrar
only
-
ALARIS
Syringe
1unit/ mL
1unit/hr
0.6-2 units/hr
(0.6-2 mL/hr)
Administered via
central access only.
For septic shock and
vasoditatory shock
associated with SIRS
50 mL
Total volume of
40 mL
Max dose for all
patients is 2 units/hr
(=0.033 units/min)
(20units in 1 mL)
Verapamil
Critical Care
areas
ONLY
2-10 mg over
10 minutes (in 1
mg increments)
25 mg
(10 mL)
-
Total volume of
25 mL
-
ALARIS
syringe
(5 mg in 2 mL)
Critical Care Areas = Intensive Care Unit, Emergency Department, Coronary Care, Operating Theatre & Recovery
*Volume removed from IV bag only when volume of drug is 10% of IV bag
Refer to individual drug infusion guidelines on Drugnet for more detailed information
Page 10 of 15
Target:
All Medical, Nursing and Pharmacy Staff
Maintained by: Drug Information Centre (DIC)
Contact:
phone 62002, email d.information@alfred.org.au.
Unless stated, drugs can
be infused either via a
peripheral or central line
Start on lowest dose
and titrate to effect
(100 mg in 2 mL)
Vasopressin
Comments
Developed:
1/1/04
Last amended: 08/04/2011
Review Due: Constantly
Last Review by: Drug Information
being updated
Service 26/11/2009
Endorsed by: DTC April 2004
1 mg/ mL
1 mg/hr
1-10 mg/hr
(1-10 mL/hr)
(up to a maximum
of 100 mg daily)
Disclaimer: This guideline has been developed within the context of Alfred Health service delivery. Alfred Health shall not be responsible for the use of any information contained in this
document by another organisation outside of Alfred Health.
STANDARDISED DRUG INFUSIONS - * Refer to individual guidelines on DrugNet for full information
Regional
Analgesia
Loading
Dose
Drug
Dose
IV bag
Syringe
-
Volume
to
remove
from IV
bag*
-
-
-
(Presentation)
Ropivacaine
As per Acute
Pain
Services
400 mg
As per Acute
Pain
Services
400 mg &
400 mcg
Final
Conc
1 mL/hr =
Usual Dose
Range#
200 mL
Comments
(Infusion
rate)
Gemstar
pump
2 mg/ mL
2 mg/hr
10-30 mg/hr
(5-15 mL/hr)
Gemstar
pump
2 mg/ mL &
2 mcg/ mL
2 mg/hr & 2
mcg/hr
10-30 mg/hr &
10-30 mcg/hr
(5-15 mL/hr)
Sodium
Chloride
0.9%
Premixed
Ropivacaine &
Fentanyl
200 mL
Infusion
Pump
Sodium
Chloride
0.9%
Use Yellow
Gemstar pumps (not
blue) that are preprogrammed to
have: Maximum
bolus size of 20
mL, and maximum
rate of 20 mL/hr.
Use only yellow
colour coded giving
sets specific for
epidural use.
Premixed
Updated April 2011:
Other Regional Analgesia prescribed as per Acute Pain Services: (contact Acute Pain Services for more information)
Levobupivacaine and Fentanyl
Ropivacaine/Morphine/Adrenaline
Bupivacaine 0.125%
# It is recommended to commence the drug infusion at the lowest usual dose range quoted, and titrate according to patient response (consult Acute Pain Services).
Critical Care Areas = Intensive Care Unit, Emergency Department, Coronary Care, Operating Theatre & Recovery
*Volume removed from IV bag only when volume of drug is 10% of IV bag
Refer to individual drug infusion guidelines on Drugnet for more detailed information
Page 11 of 15
Target:
All Medical, Nursing and Pharmacy Staff
Maintained by: Drug Information Centre (DIC)
Contact:
phone 62002, email d.information@alfred.org.au.
Developed:
1/1/04
Last amended: 08/04/2011
Review Due: Constantly
Last Review by: Drug Information
being updated
Service 26/11/2009
Endorsed by: DTC April 2004
Disclaimer: This guideline has been developed within the context of Alfred Health service delivery. Alfred Health shall not be responsible for the use of any information contained in this
document by another organisation outside of Alfred Health.
STANDARDISED DRUG INFUSIONS - * Refer to individual guidelines on DrugNet for full information
Thrombolytics & GP IIb/IIIa Receptor Inhibitors
THROMBOLYTICS
DRUG
RETEPLASE /
RAPILYSIN®
(RPA)
STEP ONE


(10 units and 10 mL
solvent)
STREPTOKINASE
(SK)
A bolus of 5,000 units of heparin prior
to RPA
Flush line with 0.9% Sodium Chloride
or 5% Glucose
STEP TWO
 1st administer 10 units RPA bolus (over not
more than 2mins)
 30 mins later administer another 10 units RPA
bolus
 Flush line with 0.9% Sodium Chloride or 5%
Glucose
1,500,000 units in 100 mL Sodium Chloride 0.9% over 1 hour for AMI.
GP IIb/IIIa Receptor Inhibitors
ABCIXIMAB
(ReoPro®)
Refer to protocol on DrugNet
EPTIFIBATIDE
(Integrilin®)
Refer to protocol on DrugNet
Refer to protocol on DrugNet
TIROFIBAN
(Aggrastat®)
Critical Care Areas = Intensive Care Unit, Emergency Department, Coronary Care, Operating Theatre & Recovery
*Volume removed from IV bag only when volume of drug is 10% of IV bag
Refer to individual drug infusion guidelines on Drugnet for more detailed information
Page 12 of 15
Target:
All Medical, Nursing and Pharmacy Staff
Maintained by: Drug Information Centre (DIC)
Contact:
phone 62002, email d.information@alfred.org.au.
Developed:
1/1/04
Last amended: 08/04/2011
Review Due: Constantly
Last Review by: Drug Information
being updated
Service 26/11/2009
Endorsed by: DTC April 2004
STEP THREE
 Commence Heparin infusion at 1000 units/hr.
 Perform 1st APTT at 12hr after commencement of
Heparin infusion.
Disclaimer: This guideline has been developed within the context of Alfred Health service delivery. Alfred Health shall not be responsible for the use of any information contained in this
document by another organisation outside of Alfred Health.
STANDARDISED DRUG INFUSIONS - * Refer to individual guidelines on DrugNet for full information
RATE CONVERSION TABLES: please use to verify calculations
GLYCERYL TRINITRATE
GLYCERYL TRINITRATE
(Central Access only – 600 mcg/ mL)
10 mcg/min = 1 mL/hr
Please check correct concentration
(3CTC, ED)
(peripheral access – 300 mcg/ mL)
5 mcg/min = 1 mL/hr
Please check correct concentration
30 mg in 50 mL OR
50 mg in 83 mL
Dose
Infusion Rate
Dose
10 mcg/min
1 mL/hr
20 mcg/min
2 mL/hr
5 mcg/min
30 mcg/min
3 mL/hr
10 mcg/min
40 mcg/min
4 mL/hr
15 mcg/min
50 mcg/min
5 mL/hr
20 mcg/min
60 mcg/min
6 mL/hr
25 mcg/min
70 mcg/min
7 mL/hr
30 mcg/min
80 mcg/min
8 mL/hr
35 mcg/min
90 mcg/min
9 mL/hr
40 mcg/min
100 mcg/min
10 mL/hr
45 mcg/min
120 mcg/min
12 mL/hr
50 mcg/min
140 mcg/min
14 mL/hr
60 mcg/min
160 mcg/min
16 mL/hr
70 mcg/min
180 mcg/min
18 mL/hr
80 mcg/min
200 mcg/min
20 mL/hr
90 mcg/min
220 mcg/min
22 mL/hr
100 mcg/min
240 mcg/min
24 mL/hr
110 mcg/min
260 mcg/min
26 mL/hr
120 mcg/min
280 mcg/min
28 mL/hr
130 mcg/min
300 mcg/min
30 mL/hr
140 mcg/min
Critical Care Areas = Intensive
Care
Unit,
Emergency
Department,
Coronary
Care,
Operating
Theatre
&
Recovery
320 mcg/min
32 mL/hr
150 mcg/min
*Volume removed from IV bag only when volume of drug is 10% of IV bag
mcg/min
34 mL/hr
Refer to individual drug340
infusion
guidelines on Drugnet for more detailed
information
Target:
All Medical, Nursing and Pharmacy Staff
Developed:
1/1/04
Last amended: 08/04/2011
360 mcg/min
36 mL/hr
Maintained by: Drug Information Centre (DIC)
Review Due: Constantly
Last Review by: Drug Information
Page 13 of 15
being updated
Service 26/11/2009
380 mcg/min
38
mL/hr
Contact:
phone 62002, email d.information@alfred.org.au.
Endorsed by: DTC April 2004
150 mg in 500 mLs
Infusion Rate
1 mL/hr
2 mL/hr
3 mL/hr
4 mL/hr
5 mL/hr
6 mL/hr
7 mL/hr
8 mL/hr
9 mL/hr
10 mL/hr
12 mL/hr
14 mL/hr
16 mL/hr
18 mL/hr
20 mL/hr
22 mL/hr
24 mL/hr
26 mL/hr
28 mL/hr
30 mL/hr
Disclaimer: This guideline has been developed within the context of Alfred Health service delivery. Alfred Health shall not be responsible for the use of any information contained in
this document by another organisation outside of Alfred Health.
STANDARDISED DRUG INFUSIONS - * Refer to individual guidelines on DrugNet for full information
RATE CONVERSION TABLES : please use to verify calculations
AMIODARONE
AMIODARONE
(critical care & cardiac specialist
areas)
(ICU & Fluid restricted pts
in 3CTC only)
2 mg/ mL = 1 mL/hr
Please check correct concentration
1g in 500 mL Glucose 5%
10 mg/ mL = 1 mL/hr
Please check correct concentration
900 mg made up to 90 mL with Glucose 5%
Dose
10 mg/hr
20 mg/hr
30 mg/hr
40 mg/hr
50 mg/hr

Infusion Rate
1 mL/hr
2 mL/hr
3 mL/hr
4 mL/hr
5 mL/hr
Please refer to the Amiodarone Maintenance
Infusion Table (available as a link within the
amiodarone guideline on DrugNet)
Critical Care Areas = Intensive Care Unit, Emergency Department, Coronary Care, Operating Theatre & Recovery
*Volume removed from IV bag only when volume of drug is 10% of IV bag
Refer to individual drug infusion guidelines on Drugnet for more detailed information
Page 14 of 15
Target:
All Medical, Nursing and Pharmacy Staff
Maintained by: Drug Information Centre (DIC)
Contact:
phone 62002, email d.information@alfred.org.au.
Developed:
1/1/04
Last amended: 08/04/2011
Review Due: Constantly
Last Review by: Drug Information
being updated
Service 26/11/2009
Endorsed by: DTC April 2004
Disclaimer: This guideline has been developed within the context of Alfred Health service delivery. Alfred Health shall not be
responsible for the use of any information contained in this document by another organisation outside of Alfred Health.
STANDARDISED DRUG INFUSIONS - * Refer to individual guidelines
on DrugNet for full information
MEDICATION CALCULATIONS FORMULA
FORMULA FOR CALCULATIONS RELATED TO :



DILUTION OF SOLUTIONS
ADMINISTRATION OF DRUGS
INTRAVENOUS INFUSION RATES
Dilution of solutions:
FORMULA: Volume of stock
strength required
=
strength required x Total volume
stock strength
required
Diluent required
=
total volume - volume of stock strength
Administration of drugs:
FORMULA: Drugs to give
(Mass/volume)
=
Drug required x Total mass/volume
Drug available
Intravenous infusion rates:
Standard giving set:
20 drops
=
1 mL
Microdrip set:
60 microdrips =
1 mL
FORMULA: Rate
=
Volume
Time
Time
=
Volume
Rate
Volume
=
To calculate drops per minute =
Time x Rate
drops/ mL
60
x
volume
time
Critical Care Areas = Intensive Care Unit, Emergency Department, Coronary Care, Operating Theatre & Recovery
*Volume removed from IV bag only when volume of drug is 10% of IV bag
Refer to individual drug infusion guidelines on Drugnet for more detailed information
Page 15 of 15
Target:
All Medical, Nursing and Pharmacy Staff
Maintained by: Drug Information Centre (DIC)
Contact:
phone 62002, email d.information@alfred.org.au.
Developed:
1/1/04
Last amended: 08/04/2011
Review Due: Constantly
Last Review by: Drug Information
being updated
Service 26/11/2009
Endorsed by: DTC April 2004
Disclaimer: This guideline has been developed within the context of Alfred Health service delivery. Alfred Health shall not be
responsible for the use of any information contained in this document by another organisation outside of Alfred Health.
STANDARDISED DRUG INFUSIONS - * Refer to individual guidelines
on DrugNet for full information
Intravenous drug doses:
If patient dose known, then drip rate calculated:
Patient dose ( mcg/kg/min)
drugs mass ( mg)
x
60 (to hour)
1
x
volume ( mL) x
1000 (to mcg)
weight (kg)
1
= drip rate in mL/hour
If drip rate known, then dose calculated:
drug mass ( mg) x
volume ( mL)
1000 (to mcg) x
1
drip rate ( mL)
60 (to minutes)
x
1___
weight (kg)
= patient dose in micrograms/kg/min
NB:
Always consider the requirements, as only part of the formula may be required.
Critical Care Areas = Intensive Care Unit, Emergency Department, Coronary Care, Operating Theatre & Recovery
*Volume removed from IV bag only when volume of drug is 10% of IV bag
Refer to individual drug infusion guidelines on Drugnet for more detailed information
Page 16 of 15
Target:
All Medical, Nursing and Pharmacy Staff
Maintained by: Drug Information Centre (DIC)
Contact:
phone 62002, email d.information@alfred.org.au.
Developed:
1/1/04
Last amended: 08/04/2011
Review Due: Constantly
Last Review by: Drug Information
being updated
Service 26/11/2009
Endorsed by: DTC April 2004