Sunday June 11, 2006
IV to PO conversion - check med list everyday !!
58 year old male admitted with atrial fibrillation with RVR (rapid ventricular rate) and required intravenous (IV) Diltiazem (cardizem). Now patient is stable at 7 mg/hr dose. What would be the equivalent PO dose?
Diltiazem CD 240 mg po qd 1.
Usual IV to PO Cardizem is as follows:
3 mg/h = Diltiazem CD 120 mg po qd
5 mg/h = Diltiazem CD 180 mg po qd
7 mg/h = Diltiazem CD 240 mg po qd
11 mg/h = Diltiazem CD 300 mg po qd
15 mg/h = Diltiazem CD 360 mg po qd
Using this question as an excuse, the objective is to highlight the point that many times PO medications are as effective as IV (See reference # 1). Good intensivist always remain in the quest to simplify the medication list. It always help to have a savy critical care pharmacist in the team !.
Related: Sample INTRAVENOUS TO ORAL/ENTERAL (IV TO PO) MEDICATION SWITCH PROGRAM from American Society of Health-System Pharmacists' site
Reference: click to get abstract/article
1. Intravenous to Oral Conversion Table: source nih.gov
