Drug Calculations

Calculating mcg per kg per minute of a medication.

Formula:   mcg x kg x 60 divided by mcg/cc

Example:  Dopamine ordered at 10mcg per kg per minute on a patient weighing 120lbs.                                                                120 divided 2.2= 54 kg.  Dopamine comes premixed at 1600 mcg/cc

10 mcg x 54 kg x 60 minutes = 32400 divided 1600 mcg/cc = 20.25 cc/hr   Answer 20.25cc/hr

Calculating Drips:     mg per min

2 grams of a medication in 500cc's of fluid

Each mg/min = 15cc's/hr

Example:  Start a Lidocaine drip on a patient at 3mg/min, Lidocaine comes premixed 2 grams in 500cc of D5W.   Answer = 45cc/hr

Suggest a Formula below