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Emergency drug doses - CPG

  • AGE Wt (Kg)

    Read the text below before using
    this calculator.

    Use the weight closest to the
    patient's if you know it,
    otherwise select the patient's age.

    Note: these are not the average weights for patients of the stated age but round number approximations that make calculation of drug doses etc easier and are very acceptable for this purpose. Don't use them as genuine average weights for age in other situations.

     

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    Term 3.5
    3 months 6
    6 months 8
    1 year 10
    2 years 13
    4 years 15
    6 years 20
    8 years 25
    10 years 30
    12 years 40
    14 years 50
    17+ years 70

    Important

    This tool is designed to be a readily available guide to endotracheal tube sizes and positions, and to doses of drugs and other therapies.

    It is not a recipe book -it is important that you think carefully if "standard" doses of drugs are appropriate for any individual patient, especially acutely unstable ones.

    For minimum systolic blood pressure, and heart and respiratory rate - look at trends as well as absolute numbers.

    Do not just blindly follow the doses given here - think first.

    Information presented here comes from several sources, particularly Drug Doses by Frank Shann. The algorithm comes from the Australian Resuscitation Council http://www.resus.org.au

    Doses have been rounded where sensible to do so, and minimum and maximum doses applied to some drugs.

    Doses may need to be modified if drugs are used in combination.

    DC shock energy has been rounded to figures commonly found on defibrillators. 4j/kg

    DC shock energy has been rounded to figures commonly found on defibrillators. 4j/kg

    For Morphine, Fentanyl, Thiopentone and Propofol it is important to titrate the dose for its desired effect. Be very cautious of hypotension in sick children and respiratory depression if not ventilated. Be careful in patients with haemodynamic compromise - cardiac failure, pulmonary hypertension, septic shock. Correct hypovolaemia first. Have vasopressors available (eg metaraminol 5-10 mcg/kg). Be careful of propofol in infants <1 year of age dosing is more complex.

    Propofol is based on approximately: 1-5yo: 2.5-3.5 mg/kg, 5-10yo: 2-3 mg/kg, >10: 1.5-2.5 mg/kg

    Suxamethonium is based on 3 mg/kg for newborn, 2 mg/kg child, 1 mg/kg adult.

    I've done my best to ensure this information is accurate and cross checked doses with other experts but it is your responsibility to verify doses etc before using this tool.

    Comments and suggestions welcome

    Mike.South@rch.org.au

    Mike
    Prof Mike South
    Director
    Department of General Medicine, Specialist in Intensive Care
    Professor, University of Melbourne
    Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia