Commonly Used Pediatric Resuscitation Drugs

This table is a quick reference for commonly used emergency and resuscitation drugs in children. Always use up-to-date PALS/paediatric ALS and your local hospital protocols for exact dosing, indications, and preparation.

General rules:
• All doses are weight based (mg/kg or μg/kg); use the child’s actual weight if possible.
• Never exceed recommended adult maximum doses.
• Critically ill, neonates, and children with organ failure require senior/ICU input.

Drug dosing in paediatric resuscitation is high risk. Double-check calculations and involve a senior doctor for all infusions and high-risk medications.

Search Drug

Common Pediatric Resuscitation Drugs

Drug	Typical Paediatric Dose (Guide)	Route	Indication / Notes
Adrenaline (Epinephrine)	Cardiac arrest: ~0.01 mg/kg IV/IO (0.1 mL/kg of 1:10 000) every 3–5 min. Anaphylaxis (IM): ~0.01 mg/kg of 1:1 000 (max per dose as per local guideline).	IV / IO / IM (ET only as per protocol)	Cardiac arrest, anaphylaxis, severe bronchospasm with shock. Follow current paediatric resuscitation algorithm.
Adenosine	First dose: ~0.1 mg/kg rapid IV bolus (max single dose per local guideline), may increase to ~0.2 mg/kg if no response.	Rapid IV bolus with immediate saline flush	Haemodynamically stable supraventricular tachycardia (SVT). Requires monitoring and ECG recording.
Aminophylline	~5–6 mg/kg slow IV over 20–30 minutes (only if not on regular theophylline; specialist input recommended).	IV infusion	Severe acute asthma not responding to first-line therapy. Risk of arrhythmias and toxicity – use with caution.
Bronchodilators (e.g. Salbutamol)	Neb: ~0.15 mg/kg per dose (max around 5 mg per neb) at intervals as per asthma protocol.	Nebulised / inhaled	Acute asthma exacerbation, bronchospasm. Often combined with ipratropium in moderate–severe attacks.
Dextrose 10%	~2 mL/kg IV bolus (recheck glucose and repeat as per guideline). Use more concentrated solutions via central line only.	IV	Symptomatic hypoglycaemia. Follow-up with infusion/feeds to maintain normoglycaemia.
Diazepam	IV: ~0.1–0.2 mg/kg IV slowly (max as per guideline). Rectal: ~0.5 mg/kg PR (max per dose as per guideline).	IV / Rectal	Seizures, status epilepticus (where midazolam not available or per local protocol). Monitor for respiratory depression.
Dobutamine	~2–20 μg/kg/min IV infusion (start low and titrate to effect).	IV infusion	Low cardiac output, heart failure with adequate blood pressure. Requires continuous monitoring and senior involvement.
Dopamine	~5–20 μg/kg/min IV infusion (start at lower dose; titrate to effect).	IV infusion	Shock with low cardiac output and hypotension where other agents unavailable or as per local protocol. Requires intensive monitoring.
Glycopyrrolate	~0.005–0.01 mg/kg IV/IM every 2–4 hours as needed (max per guideline).	IV / IM	Anticholinergic agent – used in some settings for bradycardia or as premedication. Atropine is more commonly used in resuscitation algorithms.
Midazolam	Seizures: ~0.1–0.2 mg/kg IV/IM (or buccal/intranasal per protocol). Sedation: lower doses (e.g. 0.05–0.1 mg/kg IV) titrated slowly.	IV / IM (also buccal / IN per local protocol)	Acute seizure control, procedural sedation. Risk of respiratory depression – airway and monitoring essential.
Morphine	~0.05–0.1 mg/kg IV slowly, titrated to effect (or equivalent IM/SC dosing where IV not available).	IV / IM / SC	Moderate–severe pain, e.g. major trauma, burns. Monitor for hypotension and respiratory depression.
Ondansetron	~0.1–0.15 mg/kg IV or PO (up to usual paediatric max dose per guideline).	IV / Oral	Nausea and vomiting, especially in dehydrated or post-op children. Use cautiously in prolonged QT or with other QT-prolonging drugs.
Phenobarbital	Loading: ~15–20 mg/kg IV over 15–20 minutes, may repeat smaller doses as per protocol and senior guidance.	IV (also oral for maintenance)	Seizures, including neonatal seizures or status epilepticus after benzodiazepines. Causes respiratory and cardiovascular depression – monitor closely.