Calculate Continuous Infusions

1. mg/min (For example - Lidocaine, Pronestyl)

   Solution cc x 60 min/hr x mg/min Drug mg	= cc/hr

   Drug mg x cc/hr Solution cc x 60 min/hr	= mg/hr

   Rule of Thumb
   Lidocaine, Pronestyl 2 gms/250 cc D5W
   1 mg = 7 cc/hr 2 mg = 15 cc/hr 3 mg = 22 cc/hr 4 mg = 30 cc/hr
2. mcg/min (For example - Nitroglycerin)

   Solution cc x 60 min/hr x mcg/min Drug mcg	= cc/hr

   Drug mcg x cc/hr Solution cc x 60 min/hr	= mcg/hr

   Rule of Thumb
   NTG 100 mg/250 cc
   1 cc/hr = 6.6 mcg/min
   NTG 50 mg/250 cc
   1 cc/hr = 3.3 mcg/min
3. mcg/kg/min (For example - Dopamine, Dobutamine, Nipride, etc.)

1. To calculate cc/hr (gtts/min)

   Solution cc Drug mcg	x 60 min/hr x kg x mcg/kg/min = cc/hr

   Example:	Dopamine 400 mg/250 cc D5W to start at 5 mcg/kg/min. Patient’s weight is 190 lbs.

   250 cc 400,000 mcg	x 60 min x 86.4 x 5 mcg/kg/min = 16.2 cc/hr
2. To calculate mcg/kg/min

   Drug mcg/ x cc/hr Solution cc x 60 min/hr x kg	= mcg/kg/min

   Example:	Nipride 100 mg/250 cc D5W was ordered to decrease your patient’s blood pressure. The patient’s weight is 143 lbs, and the IV pump is set at 25 cc/hr. How many mcg/kg/min of Nipride is the patient receiving?

   100,000 mcg x 25 cc/hr 250 cc x 60 min x 65 kg	=	2,500,000 975,000	= 2.5 mcg/kg/min