Generic Name:

Vasopressin

Trade Name:

Pitressin

Action:

Synthetic Human Posterior Pituitary Hormone

Indications:

Diabetes Insipidus

Upper Gastrointestinal Tract Bleeding

Hypotension related to sepsis

Treatment of shock refractory VF/Pulseless VT

Administration Guidelines:

Usual Dosage Range and Route:

DIABETES INSIPIDUS : 1-5 Units / hour as required based on serum electrolytes, osmolality and urine specific gravity

GI BLEED : 0.1 to 0.4 units / min

HYPOTENSION RELATED TO SEPSIS : 0.01 - 0.04 units/ min

SHOCK REFRACTORY VF/PULSELESS VT : 40 units IV push x1

Standard Concentration

Peripheral – N/A*

Central - 200 units / 500ml

Maximum Concentration

Peripheral – N/A*

Central - Via syringe based, variable flow, continuous microinfusion pump (E.g. harvard dual channel pump ):     50units / 50 ml

EW Standard

Concentration

200 units / 500ml

* Central line required for venous administration; in cases of emergency of extenuating circumstances, vasopressin may be given peripherally while preparation for central line is underway using the 200 units / 500 ml concentration or less concentrated.

Special Considerations:

- Intra-arterial infusions per angiography consultations.

- Monitor serum glucose, serum electrolytes, serum osmolality frequently (i.e. every 2 hours)

- Monitor urine specific gravity every 1 hour when treating DI be administered halfway through infusion

Side Effects:

- Fluid retention, electrolyte imbalance

- Hypertension, increased SVR

- Junctional rhythms, bradycardia, tachycardia

- Cardiac ischemia/angina

- Abdominal cramping