Noradrenaline intravenous infusion instructions

For instructions on preparation and administration of a noradrenaline (norepinephrine) intravenous infusion, see Noradrenaline (norepinephrine) intravenous infusion instructions.

Table 1. Noradrenaline (norepinephrine) intravenous infusion instructions

Use noradrenaline (norepinephrine) 0.1% (1:1000) solution that contains 1 mg/mL.

For adults

1. Prepare noradrenaline infusion

  • Draw up 6 mL of noradrenaline (norepinephrine) 0.1% (1:1000) solution. This contains 6 mg of noradrenaline.
  • Add to 94 mL of glucose 5% [NB1].

The resulting solution contains noradrenaline 60 micrograms/mL, so that an infusion of 1 mL/hour delivers 1 microgram/minute [NB2].

2. Infuse at 3 to 50 mL/hour to deliver 3 to 50 micrograms/minute

Start the infusion at the lower end of the rate range and increase approximately every 3 minutes until the desired effects on blood pressure are achieved. For very haemodynamically unstable patients, consider starting at a higher rate (eg 20 mL/hour [20 micrograms/minute]).

For children

1. Prepare noradrenaline infusion

  • Draw up 0.15 mL/kg of noradrenaline (norepinephrine) 0.1% (1:1000) solution. This contains 0.15 mg/kg of noradrenaline.
  • Add to 50 mL (minus the calculated volume of noradrenaline) of sodium chloride 0.9% [NB3].

The resulting noradrenaline solution infused at 1 mL/hour delivers 0.05 micrograms/kg/minute [NB2].

2. Infuse at 1 to 20 mL/hour to deliver 0.05 to 1 microgram/kg/minute

Start the infusion at the lower end of the rate range and increase approximately every 3 minutes until the desired effects on blood pressure are achieved.

Note:

NB1: To obtain 94 mL of glucose 5%, remove 6 mL of fluid from a 100 mL bag.

NB2: Before starting the infusion, prime the giving set to eliminate dead-space volume.

NB3: Take out the calculated volume of noradrenaline (norepinephrine) from a 50 mL bag of sodium chloride 0.9% before adding noradrenaline to the bag.