Sucrose
Sucrose acts as a mild, transient analgesic when administered orally in small quantities to neonates and infants. The sweet taste stimulates taste receptors, which triggers the release of endogenous opioids in the brain, helping to reduce pain and distress during minor clinical procedures.
Dosage by Body Weight
Administer orally (directly onto the anterior tongue) approximately 2 minutes before the painful procedure. Can be used in conjunction with non-nutritive sucking (such as dipping a pacifier in the solution) for maximum efficacy.
- Body Weight
- Below 5 kg
- Dose
- 0.1 mL to 0.5 mL of 24% solution
- Frequency
- Single dose 2 minutes before procedure
- Tracking Notes
- Commonly used in neonates and preterm infants. Do not exceed 2 mL total cumulative dose in 24 hours for extremely low birth weight infants.
- Body Weight
- 5-7 kg
- Dose
- 0.5 mL to 1 mL of 24% solution
- Frequency
- Single dose 2 minutes before procedure
- Tracking Notes
- Can be administered via an oral syringe or by coating a pacifier. Can repeat once during the procedure if needed.
- Body Weight
- 8-10 kg
- Dose
- 1 mL to 2 mL of 24% solution
- Frequency
- Single dose 2 minutes before procedure
- Tracking Notes
- Administer onto the tip of the tongue. Efficacy begins to decrease as the infant approaches 12 months of age.
- Body Weight
- 11-15 kg
- Dose
- Not routinely indicated
- Frequency
- Use only if prescribed
- Tracking Notes
- Efficacy is significantly reduced in infants over 12 months of age; consider alternative distraction or pharmacological methods.
- Body Weight
- 16-20 kg
- Dose
- Not indicated
- Frequency
- Not applicable
- Tracking Notes
- Ineffective for analgesia in toddlers and older children.
| Body Weight | Dose | Frequency | Tracking Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Below 5 kg | 0.1 mL to 0.5 mL of 24% solution | Single dose 2 minutes before procedure | Commonly used in neonates and preterm infants. Do not exceed 2 mL total cumulative dose in 24 hours for extremely low birth weight infants. |
| 5-7 kg | 0.5 mL to 1 mL of 24% solution | Single dose 2 minutes before procedure | Can be administered via an oral syringe or by coating a pacifier. Can repeat once during the procedure if needed. |
| 8-10 kg | 1 mL to 2 mL of 24% solution | Single dose 2 minutes before procedure | Administer onto the tip of the tongue. Efficacy begins to decrease as the infant approaches 12 months of age. |
| 11-15 kg | Not routinely indicated | Use only if prescribed | Efficacy is significantly reduced in infants over 12 months of age; consider alternative distraction or pharmacological methods. |
| 16-20 kg | Not indicated | Not applicable | Ineffective for analgesia in toddlers and older children. |
Formulation
Purpose
Used for minor procedural pain relief (mild analgesia) in infants and neonates during short, painful procedures such as heel lances, venipuncture, or immunizations.
Generic Name
SucroseBranded Drug Names
Sucrose is listed as a generic drug name. Common branded medicines that may contain the same active ingredient include:
Scheduled Drug
No. This medicine is generally not treated as a scheduled/prescription-only drug in common consumer references, but local rules may vary.