Isoprenaline intravenous infusion instructions

For instructions on preparation and administration of an isoprenaline intravenous infusion, see Isoprenaline intravenous infusion instructions.

Table 1. Isoprenaline intravenous infusion instructions

Use isoprenaline 200 micrograms/mL solution that is available as a 1 mL or 5 mL ampoule.

For adults

1. Prepare isoprenaline infusion

  • Draw up 30 mL of isoprenaline 200 micrograms/mL solution. This contains 6 mg of isoprenaline.
  • Add to 70 mL of glucose 5% [NB1].

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

2. Infuse at 3 to 30 mL/hour to deliver 3 to 30 micrograms/minute

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

For children

1. Prepare isoprenaline infusion

  • Draw up 0.75 mL/kg of isoprenaline 200 micrograms/mL solution. This contains 0.15 mg/kg of isoprenaline.
  • Add to 50 mL (minus the calculated volume of isoprenaline) of sodium chloride 0.9% [NB3].

The resulting isoprenaline 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 heart rate are achieved.

Note:

NB1: To obtain 70 mL of glucose 5%, remove 30 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 isoprenaline from a 50 mL bag of sodium chloride 0.9% before adding isoprenaline to the bag.