Drug InfoNet - Drug Dosage

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Doctors' Answers to "Frequently Asked Questions" - Drug Dosage

These comments are made for the purpose of discussion and should NOT be used as recommendations for or against therapies or other treatments. An individual patient is always advised to consult their own physician.

IVIG [posted 1/7/99]
Question: I would appreciate expert suggestions regarding adjusting the dose and frequency of IVIG in accordance with IgG levels rather than preset dose per weight (or time) for replacement. Also, in obese patients should the actual, ideal, or an adjusted body weight be used for dosing calculations?

Answer: I have two patients and at first adjusted it by their levels until a pattern was established. But, found out that it usually is 3-4 weeks for most whichever way you do it. The weight is usually ideal, but check the levels.

Dosages
Question: With respect to Rx dosages, what do the terms "b.i.d." and "h.s." mean?

Answer: B.I.D. means twice daily, and H.S. means the hour of sleep.

Drug Dosage
Question: What is the body size range that is used as the basis for determining safe dosages for adults? In other words, can a 100 pound adult safely take a drug that may also be prescribed for a 200 pound adult with the same medical condition?

Answer: Drug doses vary depending on their volume of distribution. Some drugs are only distributed to body organs and the blood stream. Consequently, their levels are based on ideal or lean weight, and not the actual weight of the patient. Other drugs are distributed to fat and the actual weight is used to figure the dosage. In general, a 100 pound adult would require less of a drug than a 200 pound adult.

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