Calculate IV pump rates in mL/hr based on mcg/kg/min dosing.
How to Calculate Dopamine Infusion Rates
Dopamine is a potent vasoactive medication used to treat hemodynamic instability. Because it is highly concentrated and weight-dependent, precise calculation is critical for patient safety. The goal is to convert the physician's order (mcg/kg/min) into a pump setting (mL/hr).
The Dopamine Calculation Formula
To manually calculate the infusion rate, follow these steps:
Determine Drug Concentration: (Total mg × 1,000) / Total mL = mcg/mL.
Determine Total mcg/min: Desired dose (mcg/kg/min) × Patient weight (kg).
Determine Total mcg/hr: mcg/min × 60 minutes.
Calculate mL/hr: Total mcg/hr / Concentration (mcg/mL).
Always verify calculations with another healthcare professional. Rapid changes in dopamine infusion rates can cause severe hypertension or cardiac arrhythmias. Monitor the IV site closely, as dopamine is a vesicant and can cause tissue necrosis if extravasation occurs.
function calculateDopamine() {
var weight = parseFloat(document.getElementById("patientWeight").value);
var dose = parseFloat(document.getElementById("desiredDose").value);
var mg = parseFloat(document.getElementById("drugAmount").value);
var volume = parseFloat(document.getElementById("bagVolume").value);
var resultArea = document.getElementById("resultArea");
var resultText = document.getElementById("resultText");
if (!weight || !dose || !mg || !volume || weight <= 0 || dose <= 0 || mg <= 0 || volume <= 0) {
alert("Please enter valid positive numbers for all fields.");
return;
}
// 1. Calculate Concentration (mcg/mL)
var totalMcg = mg * 1000;
var concentration = totalMcg / volume;
// 2. Calculate Total mcg/min needed
var mcgPerMin = dose * weight;
// 3. Calculate mcg/hr
var mcgPerHour = mcgPerMin * 60;
// 4. Calculate Rate (mL/hr)
var mlPerHour = mcgPerHour / concentration;
// Format output
var finalRate = mlPerHour.toFixed(1);
var concentrationDisplay = concentration.toFixed(0);
resultArea.style.display = "block";
resultText.innerHTML = "