Treatment of Pulmonary Edema Treatment of cause Oxygen IV diuretic Nitrates IV inotropes Ventilatory assistance Initial treatment of pulmonary edema includes identifying the cause; 100% oxygen by nonrebreather mask; upright position; furosemide 0.5 to 1.0 mg / kg IV or by continuous infusion 5 to 10 mg / hour; nitroglycerin 0.4 mg sublingually every 5 minutes, followed by an IV drip at 10 to 20 mcg / minute, titrated upward at 10 mcg / minute every 5 minutes as needed to a maximum 300 mcg / minute if systolic blood pressure is > 100 mm Hg.