Dosage Calculation

What is it?

The Dosage Calculator is a user-friendly tool designed to calculate medication dosages accurately. It uses key patient data, such as weight, body surface area (BSA), and drug concentration, to provide precise dosage recommendations, ensuring safety and effectiveness.

Formula

The dosage calculation is based on these core formulas:

1. Weight-based calculation:
   Dosage (mL) = (Weight × Target Dose) ÷ Drug Concentration

2. BSA-based calculation (if provided):
   Dosage (mL) = (BSA × Target Dose) ÷ Drug Concentration

The result is expressed in milliliters (mL), depending on the patient’s weight or BSA.

How to Use

1. Enter the patient’s weight and, optionally, the BSA.
2. Input the target dose (e.g., mg/kg or mg/m²).
3. Provide the drug concentration (e.g., mg/mL).
4. Click Calculate to generate results.
5. View the calculated dosage and a dosage chart for varying weights.

FAQs

1. What is the target dose?

The target dose is the prescribed amount of medication per kilogram (kg) of weight or per square meter (m²) of BSA.

2. Can I skip the BSA field?

Yes, if not specified, the calculator uses weight-based formulas to compute the dosage.

3. Why does the result include a range?

The range provides an estimated safe dosage zone (e.g., ±20% of the calculated dosage) to ensure flexibility and safety.

4. What are the supported units?

You can input weight in kilograms (kg) and drug concentration in milligrams per milliliter (mg/mL). It converts units internally if needed.

Key Terms

• Dosage (mL): The total calculated quantity of a drug for administration in milliliters.
• Weight (kg): The patient’s weight in kilograms, used for dosage calculations.
• Body Surface Area (BSA): A measurement of the body’s total surface area (m²), often used for specific medication dosing.
• Target Dose: Prescribed dose amount, typically expressed in mg/kg or mg/m².
• Drug Concentration: The strength of the drug solution, expressed as mg per mL.