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A Parent's Guide to the NICU
Commonly Used Medications
Acetaminophen
- Used to treat pain or fever
Acyclovir
- Used to treat Herpes virus infection
Albuterol
- Used to treat wheezing or tightness in BPD
Amphotericin B
- Used to treat a fungus infection
Ampicillin
- An antibiotic used to treat a bacterial infection
Betamethasone
- A steroid used in moms to lower risk for RDS in their preemies
Caffeine
- Used to treat apnea
Captopril
- Used to treat high blood pressure
Cefazoli
- An antibiotic used to treat a bacterial infection
Cefotaxime
- An antibiotic used to treat a bacterial infection
Ceftazidime
- An antibiotic used to treat a bacterial infection
Ceftriaxone
- An antibiotic used to treat a bacterial infection
Chloral hydrate
- Used for sedation (making baby more relaxed)
Chlorothiazide
- Increases urine (diuretic)
Clindamycin
- An antibiotic used to treat a bacterial infection
Clotrimazole
- Cream used to treat fungal infection of the skin
Cimetidine
- Treats or prevents stomach irritation or bleeding
Dexamethasone
- A steroid used to treat or prevent BPD or given to mother before
birth to lower risk for RDS and IVH
Dobutamine
- Used to treat low blood pressure; helps the heart pump
Dopamine
- Used to treat low blood pressure; used to increase blood flow to
kidneys and gut
Epoetin alfa (Erythropoietin)
- Stimulates the body to make more red blood cells
Erythromycin
- An antibiotic used to treat a bacterial infection; eye ointment to
prevent eye infection
Fentanyl
- Narcotic used for sedation, to treat pain, or for anesthesia,
depending on dose
Ferrous Sulfate
- Iron supplement
Fluconazole
- Used to treat a fungus infection
Furosemide (Lasix)
- Increases urine (diuretic)
Gentamicin
- An antibiotic used to treat a bacterial infection
Heparin
- Often added to IV fluids to prevent IV from clotting
Hydralazine
- Used to treat high blood pressure
Hydrochlorothiazide
- Increases urine (diuretic)
Ibuprofen
- Used for Pain and to treat Patent Ductus Arteriosus
Indomethacin
- Used to treat a Patent Ductus Arteriosus or prevent IVH
Insulin
- Lowers blood sugar
Lorazepam
- Used to treat seizures; used for sedation
Metoclopramide
- Used to speed up stomach emptying
Metronidazole
- An antibiotic used to treat a bacterial infection
Midazolam
- Used to sedate or relax the baby
Morphine
- Used for pain or cause sedation
Naloxone
- Used to undo the action of narcotics
Nitric Oxide
- An inhaled gas used to relax the blood vessels leading to the
lungs
Nystatin
- Used to treat a fungus infection of the mouth or on the skin
Nafcillin
- An antibiotic used to treat a bacterial infection
Palivizumab (Synagis)
- Used to prevent Respiratory Syncytial Virus
Pancuronium (Pavulon)
- Relaxes muscles; prevents all movement
Penicillin
- An antibiotic used to treat a bacterial infection
Phenobarbital
- Used to treat seizures or to relax the baby; used to prevent IVH
Phenytoin
- Used to treat seizures
Ranitidine
- Treats or prevents stomach ulcers or bleeding; makes stomach less
acid
Silver Nitrate
- Eye drops to prevent eye infection at birth
Sodium Bicarbonate
- Makes blood less acid
Sodium Sulfacetamide drops
- Eye drops to treat eye infection
Surfactants
- Used to treat RDS
Spironolactone
- Increases urine (diuretic)
Theophylline
- Used to treat apnea; used to treat wheezing or tightness in BPD
Tromethamine (THAM, Tris)
- Makes blood less acid
Vancomycin
- An antibiotic used to treat a bacterial infection
Vecuronium
- Used to relax muscles; prevents all movement
Vitamin K
- Given after birth to prevent bleeding
Zidovudine (AZT)
- Used to treat HIV (AIDS virus) infection
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