TABLE 19-6.

Inotrope and Pressor Medications Used in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit^*

DRUG	DOSE	ROUTE	COMMENT
Dopamine	3–20 μg/kg/min	IV-CRI†	Follow the rule of 6: 6 × mass of foal (kg) = number of milligrams to add to 100 ml saline (1 ml/hr = 1 g/kg/min)
Dobutamine	3–40 μg/kg/min	IV-CRI
Epinephrine‡	0.2–2 μg/kg/min	IV-CRI
Norepinephrine‡	0.2–3 μg/kg/min	IV-CRI

Data fom Connoly Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Kennet Square, Penn.

^*One should use these medications to effect and should monitor blood pressure during their use.

^†IV-CRI, Intravenously at constant rate infusion.

^‡For epinephrine and norepinephrine, apply a “rule of 0.6” where 0.6 × mass of foal (kg) = number of mg drug to add to 100 ml saline so 1 ml/hr = 0.1 μg/kg/min.