Drug Calculations

Push-Dose Epinephrine Calculator

Volume of a 10 mcg/mL push-dose epinephrine syringe for a given dose.

Reviewed by Alex G, BSN, RN, CEN, CCRN, CMC, NREMT-P · From the Reference tab of the app

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Formula

Mix: 1 mL of epinephrine 0.1 mg/mL (100 mcg) + 9 mL normal saline = 10 mL of 10 mcg/mL
Volume (mL) = dose (mcg) ÷ 10

How it is used

• Push-dose pressors bridge transient hypotension, such as after induction agents or during the minutes an infusion takes to start; they are not a substitute for an infusion in ongoing shock.
• Label the syringe immediately with the drug and concentration; unlabeled syringes are a leading cause of pressor errors.

Key points

• Never push epinephrine from the 1 mg/mL vial or give a 1 mg cardiac arrest dose to a patient with a pulse.

Same formula as the app. Open it in the web app.

Related one-pagers

• Vasopressors and InotropesPush-dose epinephrine is micrograms, not the 1 mg arrest dose. Bedside dilution errors cause overdoses: use prefilled or clearly labeled syringes and an independent double-check.
• Pulmonary EmbolismHave pressors, inotropes or VA-ECMO ready (AHA/ACC 2026, Class 1): norepinephrine running, push-dose epinephrine drawn up and labeled.
• Airway and RSIFluids alone do not prevent collapse: in PREPARE II (Russell, JAMA 2022; 1,065 patients) a 500 mL bolus at induction did not reduce cardiovascular collapse (21.0% vs 18.2%). For most patients the more reliable step is a vasopressor started before induction. Push-dose phenylephrine (50–200 mcg) or epinephrine (10–20 mcg) covers the gap; label every syringe, because dilution errors are the main hazard.

Drip cards with a dose ↔ mL/h converter

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For education and exam preparation only. Follow your institution’s protocols. For education and exam preparation only. Verify results independently and follow your institution’s protocols. Not a substitute for clinical judgment.