The mcg/kg/min to mL/hr calculator converts a weight-based, time-based drug infusion dose into the pump rate a nurse programs in millilitres per hour. This calculation is used daily in intensive care, emergency, and perioperative nursing for vasopressors (dopamine, norepinephrine), inotropes (dobutamine, milrinone), and sedation infusions. Enter the ordered dose, patient weight, and drug concentration to get the precise pump rate.
| Drug | Typical Dose Range | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Dopamine (low) | 1–5 mcg/kg/min | Renal/mesenteric vasodilation |
| Dopamine (mid) | 5–10 mcg/kg/min | Inotropic / cardiac output |
| Dopamine (high) | 10–20 mcg/kg/min | Vasopressor |
| Dobutamine | 2–20 mcg/kg/min | Inotrope — heart failure |
| Nitroprusside | 0.1–5 mcg/kg/min | Vasodilator — hypertensive crisis |
| Milrinone | 0.375–0.75 mcg/kg/min | Inodilator |
Common drugs dosed in mcg/kg/min include dopamine, dobutamine, norepinephrine (noradrenaline), milrinone, nitroprusside, and some sedation agents. These are almost exclusively used in ICU, ED, and perioperative settings due to their potency and narrow therapeutic windows.
The formula is: mL/hr = (Dose in mcg/kg/min × Weight in kg × 60) ÷ Concentration in mcg/mL. For example, dopamine 5 mcg/kg/min for a 70 kg patient with 400mg in 250mL (1600 mcg/mL): mL/hr = (5 × 70 × 60) ÷ 1600 = 13.1 mL/hr.