Weight-based drips

[Otessa, BSN, RN]

Is there a trend that all ICU IV meds are going to weight-based dosing?

I've been trying to find some information from different areas-wondering if current practice is changing in your step-down and critical care areas.

[blondy2061h, MSN, RN]

I haven't noticed such a trend.

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

Not aware of any new ones, except IV Acetaminophen, being weight-based. Makes sense though. The mfg. companies used to base trials on the average adult weighing 150 lbs. That is a gross understatement anymore.

[sapphire18]

Not to sound dumb, but there is such thing as IV Tylenol? I have never heard of it...

And most of the drips that I experienced in my senior practicum in a MICU were weight-based.

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

It is called Ofirmev and came on the market about a month ago.

[momthenRN]

We ONLY do weight based IV drips now with the exception of a few (Diltiazem, Vasopressin, Amniodarone). It is policy now,....

[carolmaccas66, BSN, RN]

Not to sound dumb, but there is such thing as IV Tylenol? I have never heard of it...

And most of the drips that I experienced in my senior practicum in a MICU were weight-based.

Yes there is IV Tylenonl (paracetamol) in Australia. It's called Perfalgan. It comes in 100mg/100ml bottles (10mg/ml). It is expensive to use but very, very effective. We only run it on it's own over 15 minutes (so you set the IV pump to 400mls per hour). Most places I've worked don't use pumps, you just manually titrate the IV to run without a pump.

Most times we use oral paracetamol here in Oz, and you always calculate meds for underweight patients (adults/teengers), or babies.

[sunnycalifRN]

I haven't noticed such a trend.

Nor have I.

[CCL RN, RN]

Nor have I.

Me either...

[OkieICU_RN]

Not I. I did work at a hospital once where the computer system defaulted fentanyl to a weight based amount. I can only think of this drug in terms of mcg/hr, it was very distressing. lol