Protonix IV

[midwestRN]

Our doctors are suddenly prescribing protonix IV to every pt. I don't think it is very cost efficient because it requires its own IV tubing and filter every time. I know the tubing costs $50.00+ in our facility. Any thoughts on whether this drug is better than some of the other old reliables that are easier to give and cheaper. Are your seeing it prescribed at your facility?

[Sleepyeyes]

Originally posted by RN-PA

I've been seeing more and more Protonix, IV and PO, at our hospital, too.

I have a question about the IV Protonix. Our pharmacy says that there's little information out about what IV Protonix is compatible with, so we have to give it separately from IV's containing Dextrose or LR. I think Protonix comes in a NSS diluent so if patient's primary IV is NSS, we can infuse it along with IV, but otherwise, we're supposed to stop IV fluids, and flush before and after Protonix is infused with 10 cc NSS before restarting primary IV.

What's the protocol at your facilities?

We use it in a dedicated line with a filter.

[shannonRN, BSN, RN]

Originally posted by SharonMH31

At our hospital, Protonix is given with regular IV tubing but with the dedicated filter that is provided by pharmacy. We have been only instructed to change the filter each time, not the tubing. Also, we do not piggyback it into running IVF's but we do not have to stop the primary infusion either; we just run it through the y-extension. So far we haven't experienced any problems with this protocol.

my hospital's policy exactly....