Question

small volume patenterals (SVPs) are not administered or titrated based on a patients weight. Why?

Answer 1

Parenteral are the dosage forms that are intended for administration as an injection or an infusion. These preparations are either of solutions, suspensions, emulsions or powder for injection or infusion. They are ]the sterile preparations and are intended to be administered directly into the systemic circulation by bypassing the alimentary canal or by passing first pass metabolism system (Oral administration) in the human body.

These sterile parenteral solutions are packaged either as an Large volume parenteral (LVP) which are typically bags or bottles containing 100 or more ml of solutions or as an Small volume parenteral (SVP) which consists of mini-bags, bottles or ampoules containing 10m to 100 ml solutions.

SVPs are typically the solutions that are usually 100 ml or less and are packaged in different ways depending upon the intend of use. These are primarily the liquids intended to admixture and deliver the medications. The solutions are generally packaged as ampoules, vials, prefilled syringes etc. liquids drugs are supplied as the prefilled syringes to be used for single use. The powder drugs are supplied in a vial along with an ampules suitable for dissolving the powder into liquids for intend to be administered. These are injected through the skin or mucus membrane. SVP aqueous solutions can be administered by intravenous route because of local irritation.

The SVPs are primarily the carriers, dissolving agents, microbial agents, buhffers or tonicity adjusters. They are low or none pharmacological effect on the body and are used as miscible vehicles of drugs into the body. The examples are Sterile water for injection, Bacteriostatic water for injection, Buffer like citrate or acetate buffers, Electrolytes like NaCl etc.

Therefore, SVPs are not administered or titrated based on a patients weight