IV DOSAGE CALCULATIONS

A. Medication examples: DIAZEPAM, VERSED, MORPHINE, THEOPHYLLINE in mg/h

To calculate dose if infusion pump is already set and running:

Your patient has a morphine drip running at 5 mL/hr. The concentration of the IV bag is 50 mg/50 mL. How many
mg/hr of morphine is the patient receiving?

Concentration x pump setting = dosage in mg/hr

( 5050 mg
mL ) (
5 mL
1 hr )
=5 mg/hr

To calculate drip rate (mL/hr) if a certain dose is ordered:

Your patient has a morphine drip ordered at 5 mg/hr. The concentration available is 50 mg/50 mL. How many
mL/hr should infuse for this order?

Dosage x concentration = pump setting in mL/hr

( 5hrmg ) ( 5050 mL
mg )
=5 mL/hr
 IV DOSAGE CALCULATIONS

B. Medication examples: ESMOLOL, LIDOCAINE, PROCAINAMIDE, BRETYLLUM in mg/min

To calculate dose if infusion pump is already set and running:

Your patient has a lidocaine drip running at 187.5 mL/hr. The concentration of the IV bag is 2 g/250 mL. How
many mg/min of nitroglycerin is the patient receiving?

Concentration x pump setting x conversion to micrograms x conversion to minutes = dosage in mg/min

( 2502 gmL ) ( 187.5

1 hr
mL
) (
1000 mg
1g ) (
1 hr
60 min )
=25 mg/min

To calculate drip rate (mL/hr) if a certain dose is ordered:

Your patient has a lidocaine drip ordered at 25 mg/min. The concentration available is 2 g/250 mL. How many
mL/hr should infuse for this order?

Use dimensional analysis to solve for mL/hr.

Dosage x conversion to mg x concentration x conversion to minutes = pump setting in mL/hr

( 25minmg ) ( 10001 gmg ) ( 2502 mgmL )( 601 min

hr )
=187.5mL /hr
 IV DOSAGE CALCULATIONS

C. Medication examples: NITROGLYCERIN, NOREPINEPHRINE, ISOPROTERENOL,

EPINEPHRINE in g/min

Your patient has a nitroglycerin drip running at 1.5 mL/hr. The concentration on the IV bag is 50 mg/250 mL.
How many mcg/min of nitroglycerin is the patient receiving?

Concentration x pump setting x conversion to minutes x conversion to mcg = dosage in mcg/min

50 mg 1.5 mL 1 hr 1000 mcg
( 250 mL ) (
1 hr ) (
60 min ) (
1 mg )
=5 mcg/ min

To calculate drip rate (mL/hr) if a certain dose is ordered:

Your patient has a nitroglycerin drip ordered at 5 mcg/min. The concentration available is 50 mg/250 mL. How
many mL/hr should infuse for this order?

Use dimensional analysis to solve for mL/hr.

Dosage x conversion to mg x concentration x conversion to minutes = pump setting in mL/hr

( 5min
mcg
) ( 10001mgmcg ) ( 250 mL
50 mg ) (
60 min
1hr )
=1.5 mL/ hr
 IV DOSAGE CALCULATIONS

D. Medication examples: DOPAMINE, DOBUTAMINE, NITROPRUSSIDE in mcg/kg/min

To calculate dose if infusion pump is already set and running:

Your patient has a nitroprusside drip running at 30 mL/hr. The concentration on the IV bag is 50 mg/250 mL. Your
patient weighs 100 kg. How many mcg/kg/min of nitroprusside is the patient receiving?

Concentration x pump setting x conversion to minutes x conversion to mcg x weight = dosage in mcg/kg/min

( 50 mg
250 mL)(

30 mL
1 hr )(

1 hr
60 min

1000 mcg
)( 1 mg
)(
1( patient )
100 kg )=1 mcg/kg /min

To calculate drip rate (mL/hr) if a certain dose is ordered:

Your patient has a nitroprusside drip ordered at 1 mcg/kg/min. He weighs 100 kg. The concentration available is
50 mg/250 mL. How many mL/hr should infuse for this order?

Patient weight x dosage x conversion to mg x concentration x conversion to minutes = mL/hr

100 kg 1 mcg 1 mg 250 mL 60 min
( )(
1(patient )
)(
kg /min
)(
1000 mcg

50 mg )(

1 hr )
=30 mL /hr