Nicardipine Drip Rate Calculator

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Nicardipine Drip Rate Calculator

Typical range: 5 mg/hr to 15 mg/hr.
Common: 25mg in 240mL (total 250mL) or 40mg in 200mL.

Calculation Result:

Infusion Rate: 0 mL/hr

Final Concentration: 0 mg/mL

Disclaimer: This tool is for educational purposes only. Always verify calculations with institutional protocols and double-check with a second licensed professional before administering IV medications.
function calculateNicardipineRate() { var dose = parseFloat(document.getElementById('desired_dose').value); var mg = parseFloat(document.getElementById('bag_concentration_mg').value); var ml = parseFloat(document.getElementById('bag_volume_ml').value); if (isNaN(dose) || isNaN(mg) || isNaN(ml) || dose <= 0 || mg <= 0 || ml <= 0) { alert("Please enter valid positive numbers for all fields."); return; } // Step 1: Find mg/mL concentration var concentration = mg / ml; // Step 2: Find mL/hr (Dose mg/hr divided by mg/mL) var rate = dose / concentration; document.getElementById('output_rate').innerText = rate.toFixed(1); document.getElementById('output_concentration').innerText = concentration.toFixed(3); document.getElementById('result_area').style.display = 'block'; }

Understanding Nicardipine (Cardene) Infusion Calculations

Nicardipine is a potent calcium channel blocker used frequently in the intensive care unit (ICU) and emergency department for the rapid control of blood pressure. It is specifically indicated for short-term treatment of hypertension when oral therapy is not feasible or desirable, such as in hypertensive crisis or postoperative blood pressure management.

The Math Behind the Drip

Calculating the drip rate for nicardipine is straightforward but requires precision to avoid hypotension. Unlike many vasoactive drips that are calculated based on weight (mcg/kg/min), Nicardipine is standardly dosed in milligrams per hour (mg/hr).

The standard formula used by this calculator is:

Rate (mL/hr) = Desired Dose (mg/hr) รท Concentration (mg/mL)

Common Clinical Examples

Below are common scenarios encountered in clinical practice using the standard concentration of 25 mg in 250 mL (0.1 mg/mL):

  • Starting Dose: 5 mg/hr = 50 mL/hr
  • Incremental Increase: Increasing by 2.5 mg/hr = Add 25 mL/hr
  • Maximum Dose: 15 mg/hr = 150 mL/hr

Titration Guidelines

Clinical protocols often dictate starting at 5 mg/hr and titrating up by 2.5 mg/hr every 5 to 15 minutes until the target blood pressure is reached. Once the blood pressure goal is attained, the dose is often reduced to a maintenance level (usually 3 mg/hr). The rapid onset and relatively short half-life make it an ideal choice for precise blood pressure titration.

Critical Safety Considerations

  • Peripheral vs. Central Line: While nicardipine can be administered via a peripheral vein, it is quite caustic. Frequent site rotation (every 12 hours) is recommended if a central line is not available.
  • Volume Status: Monitor for signs of fluid overload in patients sensitive to the carrier fluid volume, especially at higher mg/hr doses.
  • Contraindications: Nicardipine is contraindicated in patients with advanced aortic stenosis due to the risk of reduced afterload without compensatory increase in cardiac output.

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