โ ๏ธ Clinical Disclaimer: Doses are based on standard EM/critical care guidelines. Always verify against your institution's pharmacy protocols. All drips require continuous hemodynamic monitoring.
Norepinephrine (Levophed)
Vasopressor
Start
โ
Usual Range
โ
Max
โ
Std Concentration
4mg / 250mL NS
= 16 mcg/mL
= 16 mcg/mL
Start Rate
โ
Max Rate
โ
๐ก First-line for septic shock. Potent ฮฑ1 > ฮฒ1. Titrate to MAP โฅ65. Add vasopressin if >0.25 mcg/kg/min needed.
Epinephrine
Vasopressor + Inotrope
Start
โ
Usual Range
โ
Max
โ
Std Concentration
4mg / 250mL NS
= 16 mcg/mL
= 16 mcg/mL
Start Rate
โ
Max Rate
โ
๐ก First-line for anaphylactic shock, refractory shock, cardiac arrest. Low doses โ ฮฒ predominant (inotropy). High doses โ ฮฑ predominant (vasoconstriction). Monitor for tachyarrhythmia.
Dopamine
Vasopressor + Inotrope
Start
โ
Usual Range
โ
Max
โ
Std Concentration
400mg / 250mL NS
= 1600 mcg/mL
= 1600 mcg/mL
Start Rate
โ
Max Rate
โ
๐ก Dose-dependent effects: 2โ5 mcg/kg/min โ dopaminergic (renal perfusion) | 5โ10 โ ฮฒ1 (inotropy, HR) | >10 โ ฮฑ1 (vasoconstriction). Higher arrhythmia risk than norepi โ use norepi preferentially in septic shock.
Vasopressin
Vasopressor
Standard Dose
0.03โ0.04 units/min
Max Dose
0.04 units/min
Not Weight-Based
Fixed dose only
Std Concentration
20 units / 100mL NS
= 0.2 units/mL
= 0.2 units/mL
Rate (0.03 u/min)
9 mL/hr
Rate (0.04 u/min)
12 mL/hr
๐ก Adjunct vasopressor in septic shock when norepi dose โฅ0.25 mcg/kg/min. V1 receptor mediated โ no tachycardia. Do NOT titrate above 0.04 units/min (mesenteric/digital ischemia risk).
Phenylephrine (Neo-Synephrine)
Vasopressor
Start
โ
Usual Range
โ
Max
โ
Std Concentration
100mg / 250mL NS
= 400 mcg/mL
= 400 mcg/mL
Start Rate
โ
Max Rate
โ
๐ก Pure ฮฑ1 agonist โ no ฮฒ effect. Preferred in neurogenic shock, SVT with hypotension. Reflex bradycardia may occur. Avoid in cardiogenic shock (increases afterload without inotropy).
Dobutamine
Inotrope
Start
โ
Usual Range
โ
Max
โ
Std Concentration
250mg / 250mL NS
= 1000 mcg/mL
= 1000 mcg/mL
Start Rate
โ
Max Rate
โ
๐ก First-line inotrope for cardiogenic shock with low CO. ฮฒ1 > ฮฒ2. Increases contractility and HR. May cause hypotension via vasodilation โ combine with norepi if hypotensive. Not a vasopressor.
Push-Dose Epinephrine
Bolus / Peri-intubation
For peri-intubation hypotension, transient hemodynamic instability while setting up drip. Preparation: dilute 1mg/10mL (0.1mg/mL) โ draw 1mL into 9mL NS syringe โ 10 mcg/mL solution.
Standard bolus doseโ
Volume to give (10 mcg/mL solution)โ
Repeat intervalEvery 2โ5 min PRN
Max per bolus20 mcg (2 mL)
โ ๏ธ Bridge only โ start drip immediately. Onset 1 min, duration 5โ10 min.
๐ฏ First-Line by Shock Type
๐ด Septic / Distributive
1st: Norepinephrine
2nd: Add Vasopressin 0.03 u/min (if norepi โฅ0.25)
3rd: Add Epinephrine or Dopamine
2nd: Add Vasopressin 0.03 u/min (if norepi โฅ0.25)
3rd: Add Epinephrine or Dopamine
๐ Cardiogenic
1st: Dobutamine (if no hypotension)
If hypotensive: Norepinephrine + Dobutamine
Alt: Dopamine (if bradycardic)
If hypotensive: Norepinephrine + Dobutamine
Alt: Dopamine (if bradycardic)
๐ก Neurogenic
1st: Phenylephrine or Norepinephrine
Target MAP โฅ85โ90 mmHg
Avoid agents that increase HR if bradycardic โ use Norepi
Target MAP โฅ85โ90 mmHg
Avoid agents that increase HR if bradycardic โ use Norepi
๐ฃ Anaphylactic
1st: IM Epinephrine 0.3mg
If refractory: Epi infusion
Add Norepinephrine for persistent hypotension
If refractory: Epi infusion
Add Norepinephrine for persistent hypotension
โช Peri-intubation Hypotension
Push-dose Epinephrine 10โ20 mcg IV
Bridge while setting up drip
Start definitive vasopressor immediately
Bridge while setting up drip
Start definitive vasopressor immediately