Epoprostenol sodium (Flolan, Glaxo Smith Kline) is used to treat patients with pulmonary hypertension. It is a naturally occurring prostaglandin that is a potent vasodilator.
The drug is distributed in 0.5 and 1.5 mg vials. Each is reconstituted with 5 mL sterile diluent.
Final Con-centration |
0.5 mg vial |
1.5 mg vial |
Fluid to Withdraw |
Volume to 100 mL |
3,000 ng/mL |
1 |
0 |
3 |
97 |
5,000 ng/mL |
1 |
0 |
5 |
95 |
10,000 ng/mL |
2 |
0 |
10 |
90 |
15,000 ng/mL |
0 |
1 |
5 |
95 |
infusion rate in mL per hour =
= (dose in ng/kg/min) * (body weight in kg) * (60 minutes per hour) / (final concentration in ng/mL)
A patient who receives epoprostenol sodium long term may require a higher final concentration than the 15,000 ng/mL.
Specialty: Pharmacology, clinical, Pulmonology
ICD-10: ,