Dopamine infusion: a simpler formula.

Dopamine, a potent sympathomimetic amine is the drug of choice in management of neonatal shock unresponsive to volume expanders, adrenaline and sodium bicarbonate administration. Since the drug has to be administered in continuous infusion, it is imperative to have a , simple formula for dosage calculations. The American Heart Association (AHA) has provided the following formula, multiply 6 times the weight in kg times the desired dose in μg/ kg/min, divided by the desired amount of fluid to infuse in ml/h which provides the amount of dopamine in mg to add to each 100 ml solution prepared.