Drug Calculations Made Easier...?

I stumbled upon a formula for Dopamine and Dobutamine dosage calculations based on a CONSTANT. You know the mcg/kg/min..... ones.... Has anyone heard of these?

I tried it out a few times and BINGO... it worked.

So it is based on Single and Double Dose concentrations.

Dopamine Single Concentration = 13.3
Dopamine Double Concentration = 26.6


Dobutamine Single Concentration = 16.6
Dobutamine Double Concentration = 33.3


Sooooo... what does that all mean?

Well if you use the formula of:

Dose x kg
_________ = you get the amount in ml/hr to set on the pump

constant


Example 1:

Order: Dobutamine 5 mcg/kg/min
Solution: Dobutamine 500/250 ml D5W (HINT: Conc. is considered DOUBLE)
Pt wt is 176 pounds

Step 1 you know is to convert lbs/kg = 80kg


Formula is:
5(80)
----- = 12 ml/hr
33.3

Ok do it your way... what did you get?

Example 2
Order Dopamine 2.5mcg/kg/min
Solution: Dopamine 800mg/500 ml
Pt wt 75kg


What is the concentration? Single? Double?

2.5 x 75
________ = 7ml/hr

26.6


long way 800mg x 1000 = 800,000 mcg / 500ml = 1600mcg/ml
2.5mcg x 75kg x 60min = 11250

Dose
11250
---- = 7 ml/hr
Conc. 1600



Of course follow the rounding rules for your Program/Policy/Pump