Formulary: Drug Doses

This list is not exhaustive.
Consult appropriate reference for more details.

DRUG ROUTE EACH DOSE TIMES DAILY NOTES/ INDICATIONS
Adrenaline IV 0.1ml/kg of 1:10000 CPR
Aminophylline PO Loading dose: 6 mg/kg
Maintenance dose: 2.5 mg/kg
BD Respiratory stimulants (Apnoea)
Ceftriaxone IV Meningitis: 100 mg/kg
Other infections 50 mg/kg
OD Sepsis.
Chlorhexidine (CHX) locally to the tip of the cord, the stump and around the base of the stump STAT Apply CHX once within 24 hours after the birth, but preferably in the first 2 hrs
Diazepam PR 0.1mg/kg STAT Convulsion. Second line.
CAVE resp. depression
Furosemide PO Neonate: 0.5-2 mg/kg OD-BD
YI: 0.5-2 mg/kg BD/TDS
Oedema in heart failure
IV Neonate: 0.5-1 mg/kg OD-BD
YI: 0.5-1 mg/kg repeated BD-TDS
Gentamicin IV/IM LBW < 7 days: 3 mg/kg/dose
Term < 7 days: 5 mg/kg/dose
> 7 days 7.5 mg/kg/dose
OD Sepsis. Oto- and nephrotoxicity
Iron supplements PO 2–4 mg/kg
Syrup usually contains 50mg iron in 5 mls or 10mg per ml
OD Preterm neonates from 2 weeks if tolerating full enteral feeds until 6 months of age
Isoniazid PO < 2500g: 25mg (1/4 tablet)
2500-5000g: 50mg (1/2 tablet)
OD Exposure to TB
Metronidazole IV 7.5 mg/kg TDS Intra-abdominal infections (e.g. NEC)
Multivitamin preparation PO 0.3-0.6ml (5-10 drops)/ day
= vitamin A of 1000 IU/day and vitamin D 400 iu/day)
OD Preterm neonates if tolerating full enteral feeds until 6 months of age
Nevirapine oral <2500g: 1 ml syrup
>2500g: 1.5 ml syrup
OD For six weeks in HIV exposed neonates
Paraldehyde IM 0.2mls/kg STAT Convulsion
PR 0.4mls/kg
Phenobarbitone IM Loading dose: 20 mg/kg
Maintenance dose: 2.5-5 mg/kg
nocte Convulsion
PO
Tetracycline Eye Ointment (TEO) local both eyes once after birth STAT at birth
Vitamin K IM preterm: 0.5 mg
term: 1 mg
STAT at birth
slowly IV Neonatal Vit K deficiency bleeding 1 mg STAT to TDS
X-Penicillin IV 50000 IU/kg in Sepsis, Pneumonia etc.
100000 IU/kg in Meningitis
QID Sepsis
Zinc PO < 6m: 1/2 tablet (10 mg) per day for 10 days OD Diarrhoea