. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2013 Apr 1.

Published in final edited form as: Adv Neonatal Care. 2012 Apr;12(2):107–111. doi: 10.1097/ANC.0b013e31824c1583

Table 1.

Medications for Premedication for Nonemergent Intubation

Medication^a	Dosage Range^b,^c	Onset of Action^a,^c	Duration of Action^a,^c	Common Adverse Effects^a
Atropine^*	10–20 mcg/kg	1–2 minutes	30–120 minutes	Tachycardia, dry hot skin

Glycopyrrolate	5 mcg/kg	1–10 minutes	360 minutes	Tachycardia, arrhythmias, bronchospasm

Fentanyl^*	1.5–4 mcg/kg	Almost immediate	30–60 minutes	Apnea, hypotension, CNS depression, chest wall rigidity

Remifentanil	1–3 mcg/kg	Almost immediate	3–10 minutes	Apnea, hypotension, CNS depression, chest wall rigidity
Morphine	100–300 mcg/kg	5–15 minutes	180–300 minutes	Apnea, hypotension, CNS depression
Midazolam	200 mcg/kg	1–5 minutes	20–30 minutes	Apnea, hypotension, CNS depression
Thiopental	2–6 mg/kg	30–60 seconds	5–30 minutes	Histamine release, apnea, hypotension, bronchospasm
Propofol	1–2.5 mg/kg	< 30 seconds	3–10 minutes	Histamine release, apnea, hypotension, bronchospasm, bradycardia; pain at injection site

Vecuronium^*	100 mg/kg^a	2–3 minutes	30–40 minutes	Mild histamine release, hypertension/hypotension, tachycardia, arrhythmias, bronchospasm
Rocuronium^*	500 mcg/kg	1–2 minutes	20–30 minutes	Mild histamine release, hypertension/hypotension, tachycardia, arrhythmias, bronchospasm

Pancuronium	50–100 mcg/kg^a	1–3 minutes	40–60 minutes	Mild histamine release, hypertension, tachycardia, bronchospasm, excessive salivation
Succinylcholine	1–2 mg/kg	30–60 seconds	4–6 minutes	Hypertension/hypotension, tachycardia, arrhythmias, bronchospasm, hyperkalemia, myoglobinemia, malignant hypertension

Based on information provided by AAP recommendations for premedication for nonemergent intubation¹⁰

Range of doses utilized in the clinical trials reviewed

All dosages and pharmacokinetics based on intravenous (IV) administration

Preferred medication by the AAP¹⁰