Related | Medications Requiring a Central Line
Appendix. Medications Requiring a Central Line
From: Intravenous Administration of Formulary Medications - Adult - Inpatient/Ambulatory Clinical Practice
Guideline; Last revised 05/2023. For content changes or questions contact Drug Policy Program
1. Acyclovir: Central line for concentrations ≥10 mg/mL
2. Adenosine: Central line preferred (or site as proximal to trunk as possible)
3. Amiodarone: Central line preferred. Central line required for 600 mg/250 mL or any infusion concentrations
≥2 mg/mL
4. Angiotensin II
5. Anti-thymocyte globulin RABBIT: Central line required for doses diluted in <500 mL
6. Busulfan
7. Calcium chloride: Central line preferred
8. Carmustine: Central line if undiluted or doses ≥300 mg/m2
9. Copper-selenium-zinc
10. Continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT): Hemodialysis line required for all bags
11. Dobutamine: Central line preferred, however, midline/peripheral/intraosseous access may be used when
benefit outweighs risks
12. Dopamine: Central preferred, however, midline/peripheral/intraosseous access may be used when benefit
outweighs risks
13. Doxorubicin conventional: Central line required for continuous infusion
14. Epinephrine: Central line preferred, however, midline/peripheral/intraosseous access may be used when
benefit outweighs risks
15. Epoprostenol: Central line required for continuous infusion; may give peripherally on a temporary basis until
central line placed
16. Esmolol: Central line preferred for concentrations ≥20 mg/mL
17. Ethyl alcohol: Central line preferred, however, peripheral access may be used when benefit outweighs risks or
if needed emergently
18. Etoposide: Central line required if undiluted
19. Foscarnet: Central line required if undiluted
20. Melphalan: Central line required if undiluted; central line preferred when diluted, however midline or
peripheral infusion is acceptable
21. Micafungin: Central line required for concentrations >1.5 mg/mL
22. Nicardipine: Central line required for concentrations >0.5 mg/mL
23. Norepinephrine: Central line preferred, however, midline/peripheral/intraosseous access may be used when
benefit outweighs risks
24. Parenteral Nutrition
25. Phenylephrine: Central line preferred, however, midline/peripheral/intraosseous access may be used when
benefit outweighs risks
26. Posaconazole: Central line preferred, however, if unavailable, may administer one dose through a peripheral
catheter (over 30 min)
27. Potassium acetate: Central line for concentrations ≥20 mEq/100 mL
28. Potassium chloride: Central line for concentrations ≥20 mEq/100 mL
29. Potassium phosphate: Central line recommended for concentration >15 mmol/100 mL. Central line required
for rate >10 mEq/hr
30. Sodium Bicarbonate: Central line preferred if undiluted, however, midline/peripheral/intraosseous access
may be used when benefit outweighs risks
31. Sodium Chloride 3%: Central line preferred, however, midline/peripheral/intraosseous access may be used
when benefit outweighs risks
32. Thiotepa
33. Treprostinil: Central line preferred, however, peripheral administration on a temporary basis has been
documented; unless ordered subcutaneously with home pump
34. Vancomycin: Central line for concentrations ≥10 mg/mL
Effective 6/1/2023. Contact CCKM@uwhealth.org for previous versions
Copyright © 2023 University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority. All Rights Reserved. Printed with Permission.
Contact: CCKM@uwhealth.org Last Revised: 05/2023
35. Vasopressin: Central line preferred, however, midline/peripheral/intraosseous access may be used when
benefit outweighs risks
Effective 6/1/2023. Contact CCKM@uwhealth.org for previous versions
Copyright © 2023 University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority. All Rights Reserved. Printed with Permission.
Contact: CCKM@uwhealth.org Last Revised: 05/2023