IV Protonix

[RN-PA, RN]

I frequently administer Protonix 40 mg IV (in 50 ml NSS) to patients, and when it first came out a while back, we had to change IV tubing with each Protonix piggyback we hung and it also came with its own filter. It couldn't be mixed with any solution except normal saline, so you usually would have to cap whatever primary IV was hanging, flush the iV site with 10 ml NSS before and after, administer the Protonix over 15 minutes, and throw away the tubing when finished.

Well, now there's no filter needed, the IV tubing can be changed every 72 hours like other piggyback meds, but the pharmacy at my hospital still says it probably shouldn't be piggybacked into an IV containing dextrose or KCL or other IV fluid besides NSS. I asked our nurse educator to check into what the current policy is since she wasn't sure. I continue to stop whatever primary IV is infusing, and flush with 10 ml NSS before and after the Protonix. I also label the tubing with the date and that it's PROTONIX so that staff doesn't use it for an IV antibiotic, but I think I'm the only one who does that.

What's the Protonix protocol in your facility?

[Heymickey]

We used to have a filter. It was always like that. All the sudden, the filter's taken away and we all shrugged and continued on. Probably a few months later, pharm brought IV Protonix up along with 10cc of NS. We were all looking for the 50 or 100 bags... Would you believe... IV protonix mixed into the NS to be pushed over 2 minutes?

[RN-PA, RN]

Probably a few months later, pharm brought IV Protonix up along with 10cc of NS. We were all looking for the 50 or 100 bags... Would you believe... IV protonix mixed into the NS to be pushed over 2 minutes?

WOW-- that's interesting. If I get a chance this weekend, I'll ask one of our pharmacists if IV push Protonix is in the wings for us, too. Only drawback would be that the LPN's wouldn't be able to give it and it'd be one more med we'd have to push for them. (We're getting more and more orders for IV rather than IM narcs recently.)

[AtlantaRN, RN]

we mostly have gone back to IV pepcid, we do give alot of po protonix...if we do give iv protonix, we mix it ourselves (we used to have the little filters also).

atlantarn

[rjflyn, ASN, RN]

There is a new version of Protonix IV out. Its given IV push over 2 mins in 10 ml of saline with no filter required. Ask your pharmacy to have the drug rep provide some information if you dont see the rep in your department.

RJ

[pricklypear]

Same here - we give it push without a filter.