Usual Adult Dose for Congestive Heart Failure

Initial dose: 0.5 to 1 mcg/kg/min IV infusion
Maintenance dose: 2 to 20 mcg/kg/min IV infusion
Maximum dose: 40 mcg/kg/min IV infusion

Comments:

• Rate of administration and duration of therapy should be based on blood pressure, heart rate, frequency of ectopic activity, and urine flow; cardiac output, central venous pressure, and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure should also be considered whenever possible.
• Concentrations up to 5000 mcg/mL have been administered to humans. Determine final volume based on fluid requirements of the patient.
• No controlled-trial experience exists beyond 48 hours of repeated boluses and/or continuous infusions.

Use: Inotropic support when parenteral therapy is needed in the short-term treatment of patients with cardiac decompensation due to depressed contractility resulting from organic heart disease or cardiac surgical procedures.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Congestive Heart Failure

Initial dose: 0.5 to 1 mcg/kg/min IV infusion
Maintenance dose: 2 to 20 mcg/kg/min IV infusion
Maximum dose: 40 mcg/kg/min IV infusion

Comments:

• Certain container systems of this drug may be inappropriate for the dosage requirements of pediatric patients less than 30 kg.
• Rate of administration and duration of therapy should be based on systemic blood pressure, heart rate, frequency of ectopic activity urine flow; cardiac output, central venous pressure, and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure should also be considered whenever possible.
• Concentrations up to 5000 mcg/mL have been administered to humans. Determine final volume based on fluid requirements of the patient.
• No controlled-trial experience exists beyond 48 hours of repeated boluses and/or continuous infusions.

Use: Inotropic support when parenteral therapy is needed in the short-term treatment of patients with cardiac decompensation due to depressed contractility resulting from organic heart disease or cardiac surgical procedures.

Renal Dose Adjustments

Data not available

Liver Dose Adjustments

Data not available

Precautions

Consult WARNINGS section for additional precautions.

Dialysis

Data not available

Other Comments

Administration advice:

• Administer through a suitable IV catheter or needle.
• A calibrated electronic infusion device is recommended for controlling the rate of flow.

Storage requirements: Do not freeze.

Reconstitution/preparation techniques: The manufacturer product information should be consulted.

IV compatibility:

• Do not administer solutions containing dextrose through the same administration set as blood.
• Do not add supplementary medications to this drug; do not administer this drug simultaneously with strong alkaline solutions, solutions containing sodium bicarbonate, or other agents or diluents containing both sodium bisulfite and ethanol.

General: This drug may exhibit a pink color that, if present, will increase with time. This color change indicates slight oxidation but no significant loss of potency.

Monitoring:

• Cardiovascular: ECG and blood pressure should be monitored continuously; pulmonary wedge pressure and cardiac output should be monitored whenever possible.
• Metabolic: Consider monitoring serum potassium.