Isoprenaline Hydrochloride Intravenous for Adults

Who can administer

Administration restricted- see appendix 1

Important information

Doses in the literature are usually given as Isoprenaline hydrochloride.

Doses are not equivalent for isoprenaline sulphate. Take care to use the correct version, or doses would have to be adjusted.

Available preparations

Isoprenaline hydrochloride 1mg in 5ml (0.2mg in 1ml, 200 micrograms in 1ml) Macure

Isoprenaline hydrochloride (Isoprenalina cloridrato monico) 0.2mg in 1ml (200 micrograms in 1ml) (unlicensed)

Reconstitution

Already in solution

Draw up using a 5 micron filter needle

Infusion fluids

Glucose 5% (preferred(ref 2)) or Sodium chloride 0.9% 

Methods of intravenous administration

Intravenous infusion (administer using an electronically controlled infusion device)

  • Not fluid restricted

    • Add 2mg (= 10mL of 0.2mg/1mL injection solution) to 490mL infusion fluid
    • This produces a solution containing 4 microgram per ml
  • Fluid restriction (ref 2)
    • Add 4mg (= 20mL of 0.2mg/1mL injection solution) to 30mL infusion fluid (= 4mg in 50mL)
    • This produces a solution containing 80microgram per ml
    • Central venous access required for this concentration

Dose in adults

Bradycardia due to AV block

Continuous IV infusion

  • Starting dose: 0.01mcg/kg/minute
  • Increase in 0.01mcg/kg/minute increments, to a maximum dose of 0.15mcg/kg/minute, adjusted to achieve a heart rate of 50 to 60 beats per minute
  • See tables below (different infusion volume strengths)
Dosage table for Bradycardia due to AV block - using a 4mcg per mL solution
Dose(mcg/kg/min) Weight 55kg Weight 60kg Weight 65kg Weight 70kg Weight 75kg Weight 80kg Weight 85kg Weight 90kg Weight 95kg Weight 100kg
Rate in ml/hour of a 4microgram/ml solution prepared as above
0.01 8.3 9 9.8 10.5 11.3 12 12.8 13.5 14.3 15
0.02 16.5 18 19.5 21 22.5 24 25.5 27 28.5 30
0.03 24.8 27 29.3 31.5 33.8 36 38.3 40.5 42.8 45
0.04 33 36 39 42 45 48 51 54 57 60
0.05 41.3 45 48.8 52.5 56.3 60 63.8 67.5 71.3 75
0.1 82.5 90 97.5 105 112.5 120 127.5 135 142.5 150
0.15 123.8 135 146.3 157.5 168.8 180 191.3 202.5 213.8 225
Dosage table for Bradycardia due to AV block - using an 80mcg per mL solution
Dose(mcg/kg/min) Weight 55kg Weight 60kg Weight 65kg Weight 70kg Weight 75kg Weight 80kg Weight 85kg Weight 90kg Weight 95kg Weight 100kg
Rate in ml/hour of an 80 microgram/ml solution prepared as above
0.01 0.41 0.45 0.49 0.53 0.56 0.6 0.64 0.68 0.71 0.75
0.03 1.24 1.35 1.46 1.58 1.69 1.8 1.91 2.02 2.14 2.25
0.05 2.06 2.25 2.44 2.62 2.81 3 3.19 3.38 3.56 3.75
0.07 2.89 3.15 3.41 3.68 3.94 4.2 4.46

4.72

 4.99 5.25
0.09 3.71 4.05 4.39 4.72 5.06 5.4 5.74 6.08 6.41 6.75
0.11 4.54 4.95 5.36 5.78 6.19 6.6 7.01 7.43 7.84 8.25
0.13 5.36 5.85 6.34 6.83 7.31 7.8 8.29 8.78 9.26 9.75
0.15 6.19 6.75 7.31 7.88 8.44 9 9.56 10.13 10.69 11.25

Titrate to patient response.

Monitoring

  • Monitor ECG continuously

Further information

Search synonym: Isoproterenol

Storage

  • Macure brand: Store in refrigerator 2-80C
  • Unlicensed brand: Store <150C.(ref 1)
  • Do not use if solution is coloured (pink to pinky-brown) or a precipitate is present.

References

SPC (Macure pharma) June 2022

1: SPC (translated) document downloaded 7th Feb 2019

2. Injectable medicines guide, downloaded from Medusa 17/02/2025

Therapeutic classification

Adrenergic and dopaminergic agent. Inotrope sympathomimetic