Management of Caffeine Citrate Administration

Description

• The preparations will be labelled as "Caffeine Citrate 20 mg/ml". (This is equivalent to Caffeine base 10 mg/ml).

• Clear colourless solution 20 mg/ml caffeine base in 2.5 ml ampoules.

• Clear colourless solution 20 mg/ml caffeine citrate in amber bottles.
• Use caffeine citrate 20 mg/ml.

• Loading dose is charted on stat page of prescription chart in mg/dose.
• Maintenance doses are charted on the prescription chart in mg/dose.

Administration

Slow IV Infusion

1. Filter during administration with a 0.22 micron Pall filter.
2. Administer by slow IV infusion over 30 minutes using a syringe pump.
3. Compatible with sodium chloride 0.9%, glucose 5%, glucose 10%.
4. Do not mix with other drugs, IV solutions, blood or blood products.
5. Do NOT mix with Parenteral Nutrition solutions.
6. Flush tubing with sodium chloride 0.9% before and after administration.

Oral

1. Administer with feeds. Absorption is delayed but not decreased by feeds.

Do NOT give by IM injection.

Nursing Considerations

1. Observe IV site for signs of extravasation.
2. Assess for signs of adverse effects.
3. Initial treatment should be monitored by a cardiorespiratory monitor and a pulse oximeter. Once stable, discuss apnoea monitoring with doctor.
4. Monitor apex beat, rate and rhythm regularly. Apex beat must be taken immediately prior to administration (preferably an undisturbed rate). If the apex beat is > 180/minute withhold medication and notify doctor / NS-ANP immediately. Dose may then be administered if requested by doctor/NS-ANP.
5. Monitor respiratory rate, quality and effort.
6. Monitor incidence of apnoea. Continue apnoea monitoring for several days after stopping caffeine.
7. Monitor for glycosuria.
8. May be administered orally once the baby is tolerating 50% of full oral feed volumes.

Storage

• Ampoule unopened - at room temperature. Discard after use. DO NOT REFRIGERATE
• Oral - discard 1 day after opening. DO NOT REFRIGERATE

References