Heart Center Dosing Guide

Abciximab

Enalaprilat

Nitroprusside

Adenosine

Enoxaparin

Norepinephr..

Alteplase

Epinephrine

Phenylephr..

Amiodarone

Eptifibatide

Procainamide

Argatroban

Esmolol

Propafenone

Atenolol

Flecainide

Quinidine

Atropine

Heparin

Reteplase

Bivalirudin

Ibutilide

Sotalol

Carvedilol

Isoprotere..

Tenecteplase

Dalteparin

Lepirudin

Tirofiban

Digoxin

Lidocaine

Verapamil

Diltiazem

Metoprolol

 

Disopyram..

Mexiletine

 

Dobutamine

Milrinone

Abbreviations

Dofetilide

Moricizine

About

Dopamine

Nitroglycerin

 

 

Abciximab     To Top

Class: Platelet GP IIb/IIIa inhibitor

Dosing: 0.25 mg/kg IV bolus over 5 min given 10-60 min prior to PCI, then 0.125 mcg/kg/min (max 10 mcg/min) infusion for 12 hr after PCI.

Mixing: Dilute total amount needed for infusion in 250 ml of NS or D5W, or use a standard concentration of 7.2 mg in 250 ml of NS or D5W.

Administration notes: Administer through a filter.

 

Adenosine     To Top

Class: Anti-arrhythmic agent

Dosing: Initially, give 6 mg IV over 1-2 seconds; if response to initial dose is inadequate, give 12 mg IV over 1-2 seconds. Repeat if needed.

Mixing: Do not dilute.

Administration notes: Quickly flush the line after each dose.

Half-life: <10 seconds

Elimination: Cellular uptake and degradation.

 

Alteplase     To Top

Class: Thrombolytic (tPA)

Dosing for MI (weight >67 kg): 15 mg IV bolus, followed by 50 mg IV infusion over 30 min, followed by 35 mg IV infusion over 1 hr.

Dosing for MI (weight < or =67 kg): 15 mg IV bolus, followed by 0.75 mg/kg IV infusion over 30 min, followed by 0.5 mg/kg IV infusion over 1 hr.

Mixing: Reconstitute with supplied sterile water.

Half-life: 25 min

Elimination: Hepatic

 

Amiodarone     To Top

Class: Anti-arrhythmic agent

Oral dosing: Give loading dose of 400 mg q6h or q8h po for total of 10 grams, then 200 mg po q8h for 30 days. (One half of this total amount is usually given for treatment of supraventricular arrhythmias.) Doses should be individualized based upon response and adverse effects.

Maintenance dosing: 200-400 mg po qd.

IV dosing: Give 150-300 mg IV over 10-30 min, followed by 1 mg/min IV as infusion for 6 hr, followed by 0.5 mg/min thereafter. Additional 150 mg doses can be given for recurrent arrhythmias.

Mixing: For initial dose dilute 150 mg in 100 cc D5W (minibag). For infusion dilute 900 mg in 500 cc D5W (glass bottle).

Half-life: Approximately 50 days

Elimination: Hepatic (P4503A4)

ECG changes: Prolongation of QT, QRS, and PR intervals, bradyarrhythmias, heart block.

 

Argatroban     To Top

Class: Direct thrombin inhibitor

Dosing for HIT/HITTS: Give infusion at 2 mcg/kg/min (0.5 mcg/kg/min for hepatic impairment).

Monitoring: Measure aPTT 2 hr after initiation of infusion for a target aPTT of 1.5-3 times baseline (not to exceed 100 seconds, or dose of 10 mcg/kg/min). Platelet recovery occurs in approximately 3 days.

Mixing: 250 mg in 250 ml NS or D5W (1 mg/ml)

Half-life: 30-51 min

Elimination: Hepatic

 

Atenolol    To Top

Class: Beta-adrenergic blocking agent

Dosing post MI: Initially give 5 mg IV q5 min x 2, then 50-100 mg po qd.

Note: If CrCl is good, 100 mg po qd of atenolol is approximately equivalent to 100 mg po q12h of metoprolol.

Elimination: Renal

 

Atropine     To Top

Class: Anticholinergic agent

Dosing: For bradyarrhythmias give 0.5-1 mg IV. This may be repeated in 3-5 min to total dose of 3 mg.

Mixing: Do not dilute.

Half-life: 2-3 hr

Elimination: Hepatic and renal

 

Bivalirudin     To Top

Class: Direct thrombin inhibitor

Dosing for PCI, without GP IIb-IIIa inhibitor: Give bolus of 1 mg/kg IV prior to PCI, followed by 2.5 mg/kg/h infusion for up to 4 hr, followed by 0.2 mg/kg/h for up to 20 hr if needed.

Dosing for PCI, with GP IIb-IIIa inhibitor: Give bolus of 0.75 mg/kg IV prior to PCI, followed by 1.75 mg/kg/h infusion for up to 4 hr (dosing not FDA-approved).

Dosing in renal insufficiency:

  CrCl

Infusion dose

  >60 ml/min

no change

  30-59 ml/min

20% reduction

  10-29 ml/min

60% reduction

  on dialysis

90% reduction

Mixing: Mix 500 mg in 100 ml or 1250 mg in 250 ml D5W or NS for final concentration of 5 mg/ml. For delivery at 0.2 mg/kg/h, the drug should be further diluted to 0.5 mg/ml.

Half-life: 25 min (prolonged with renal impairment, up to 3.5 hr on dialysis).

Elimination: Renal

 

Carvedilol     To Top

Class: Alpha and beta-adrenergic blocking agent

Dosing: 3.125 mg bid; may titrate up to 50 mg bid as tolerated.

Note: The ratio of alpha to beta blockade is 1:10.

Caution: May be more sensitive to the effects of carvedilol if >65 yrs or with NYHA Class IV HF.

Half-life: 7-10 hr, but may be prolonged in pts with liver impairment and NYHA Class IV HF.

Elimination: Hepatic (P4502D6)

 

Dalteparin     To Top

Class: Low molecular weight heparin

Dosing for ACS: 120 IU/kg (max 10,000 IU) SQ every 12 hr for 5-8 days within 72 hr of onset of symptoms.

Note: The aPTT is not followed for dose adjustment; activity is measured by anti-Xa activity. Peak anti-Xa activity at 4 hr. Prolonged anti-Xa activity occurs in renal failure.

Caution: Avoid use prior to epidural/spinal anesthesia.

Elimination: Renal, dose-independent

 

Digoxin     To Top

Class: Cardiac glycoside

Dosing: Maintenance dose/day = ([(CrCl/5) + 14]/100) x 10 mcg/kg LBW (use 7 mcg/kg LBW for severe renal insufficiency).

Half-life for CrCl:

  CrCl

Half-life

  >60 ml/min

1.5 days

  30 ml/min

2 days

  15 ml/min

3 days

  <10 ml/min

>4 days

Elimination: Renal (primary route), hepatic, and intestinal degradation

Therapeutic drug conc.: 0.5-1.2 ng/ml in HF

 

Diltiazem     To Top

Class: Calcium channel blocking agent

Dosing: Load (only if immediate effect needed) 0.25 mg/kg IV over 2 min; if no response, may be repeated in 15 min with 0.35 mg/kg IV.

Maintenance: 5-15 mg/hr IV

Conversion to p.o. dosing: Give same total daily dose as IV infusion in 3 or 4 divided doses of immediate release diltiazem. Give first po dose at the time that the infusion is stopped. Titrate dosage as needed. Then convert to sustained release preparation (dose = total daily dose of immediate release preparation).

Mixing: 125 mg in 100 ml D5W or NS, for a total volume of 125 ml (final concentration of 1 mg/ml)

Half-life: 3-7 hr

Elimination: Hepatic (P4503A4)

 

Disopyramide     To Top

Class: Anti-arrhythmic agent

Dosing: Initially give 150 mg po q6h.

Dosing in renal insufficiency:

  RI

Dose

  moderate

150mg q12hr

  severe

150mg q24hr

Note: Increase to 200-300 mg po q6h (150-300 mg q12-24h in RI) according to patient’s tolerance and serum concentration.

Conversion to sustained release: Divide total daily dose of non-sustained release by 2 and give q12h.

Half-life: 4-8 hr; 12-43 hr in RI

Elimination: Renal (primary route) and hepatic

ECG changes: QT prolongation

Therapeutic drug conc.: 3-6 mcg/ml

 

Dobutamine     To Top

Class: Adrenergic agonist

Dosing: Give 2.5-30 mcg/kg/min (0.5 mcg/kg/min may be effective), then titrate to cardiac output/clinical effect.

Note: Predominantly beta agonist throughout dosing range (no alpha vasoconstriction).

Mixing: 1g in 250 ml

Half-life: Approximately 2 min

Elimination: Hepatic and tissue

 

Dofetilide     To Top

Class: Anti-arrhythmic agent

Dosing: Prior to starting, verify that QTc is less than 440 msec (500 msec if patient has ventricular conduction abnormalities). Starting dose is based upon CrCl:

  CrCl

Starting dose

  >60 ml/min

500 mcg bid

  40-60 ml/min

250 mcg bid

  20-39 ml/min

125 mcg bid

  <20 ml/min

contraindicated

Half-life: 10 hr (longer with RI)

Elimination: Renal and hepatic (CYP3A4)

ECG changes: QT prolongation

Notes: 1) An educational module on dofetilide must be completed before being allowed to prescribe this medication. 2) Hospitalization required for the first 3 days of therapy. 3) Medication is NOT available in retail pharmacies. It can only be obtained through mail order.  4) QTc should be measured 2-3 hr after the first 5 doses. If QTc is >500 msec (550 msec for pts with ventricular conduction abnormalities) or >15% over baseline after 1st dose, the dose needs to be reduced. If QTc after subsequent doses is >500 msec (550 msec for pts with ventricular conduction abnormalities), the medication should be discontinued.  5) Do not administer dofetilide with cimetidine, ketoconazole, prochlorperazine, megestrol, verapamil, or trimethoprim.

 

Dopamine     To Top

Class: Adrenergic agonist

Dosing: 2-5 mcg/kg/min to start, titrate to desired BP; usually effective below rates of ~20 mcg/kg/min

 ~1-2 mcg/kg/min

“renal dose”

 ~2-5 mcg/kg/min

mostly beta

 >~5 mcg/kg/min

alpha & beta

 >~10 mcg/kg/min

mostly alpha

Note: There is considerable patient-to-patient variation between dose and response. Partial to complete ineffectiveness may be found in pts with systemic acidosis.

Mixing: 800 mg in 250 ml

Half-life: Approximately 2 min

Elimination: Hepatic, renal, and tissue

 

Enalaprilat    To Top

Class: ACE inhibitor

Dosing: Starting dose is 0.625 mg to 1.25 mg IV q6h, depending upon renal function and fluid status. Dosage is increased based upon response.

Mixing: Give undiluted or mix with 50 ml of D5W or NS.

Administration: Give IV dose over 5 min.

Half-life: Approximately 11 hr (increases in RI)

Elimination: Renal

 

Enoxaparin     To Top

Class: Low molecular weight heparin

Dosing for ACS: 1 mg/kg SQ q12h. Decrease dose 25-50% when significant renal impairment is present.

Dosing for DVT prophylaxis: 30mg SQ q12h or 40 mg SQ QD.

Note: aPTT is not followed for dosing adjustments.

Caution: Avoid use prior to epidural/spinal anesthesia.

Half-life: 5 hr

Elimination: Renal and hepatic

 

Epinephrine     To Top

Dosing: 0.01-1.2 mcg/kg/min, individualize therapy.

Mixing: 5 mg in 250 ml

Elimination: Hepatic and tissue

 

Eptifibatide     To Top

Class: Platelet glycoprotein IIb-IIIa inhibitor

Dosing for ACS:

  Bolus: 180 mcg/kg (to a max of 22.6 mg) over 1-2 min

  Infusion (SCr <2): 2 mcg/kg/min (to a max of 15 mg/h) for 24-72 hr

  Infusion (SCr 2-4): 1 mcg/kg/min (to a max of 7.5 mg/h) for 24-72 hr

Dosing for PCI:

  Double-bolus: 180 mcg/kg (to a max of 22.6 mg) over 1-2 min, separated by 10 minutes

  Infusion (SCr <2): 2 mcg/kg/min (to a max of 15 mg/h) for 18-24 hr

  Infusion (SCr 2-4): 1 mcg/kg/min (to a max of 7.5 mg/h) for 18-24 hr

Mixing: Premixed as 75 mg in 100 ml

Half-life: 2.5 hr

Elimination: Renal

 

Esmolol     To Top

Class: Beta-adrenergic blocking agent

Dosing: Start with infusion of 0.05-0.1 mg/kg/min and titrate up by 0.05 mg/kg/min q 15-20 min to desired HR (max. dose 0.25 mg/kg/min).

Mixing: 2.5 grams in 250 ml

Half-life: 2-5 min

Elimination: RBC esterases

 

Flecainide     To Top

Class: Anti-arrhythmic agent

Dosing: Start with 50-100 mg po q12h (50-100 mg po q24h in elderly, HF, hepatic disease, severe RI) and increase dose by 50-100 mg/day q3-7 days depending on ECG changes. Usual maximum dose is 400 mg/day.

Half-life: 7-23 hr (may be prolonged to 60 hr in elderly, HF, hepatic disease, severe RI)

Elimination: Hepatic (P4502D6) and renal

ECG changes: PR and QRS prolongation

Therapeutic drug conc.: 0.2-1 mcg/ml

 

Heparin     To Top

Dosing for ACS: Bolus 60 units/kg, not to exceed 6000 units (not to exceed 4000 units if fibrinolytic therapy given within 12 hr), followed by infusion:

  Age

Female

Male

  <60

12 U/kg/hr

14 U/kg/hr

  60-79

11 U/kg/hr

12 U/kg/hr

  >80

10 U/kg/hr

11 U/kg/hr

Mixing: premixed bag available as 25,000 units in 250 ml 0.45 NS.

Elimination: Possible transfer and storage in reticuloendoethelial cells.

 

Ibutilide      To Top

Class: Anti-arrhythmic agent

Note: For administration in ICU or monitored environment only.

Dosing: 1 mg IV over 10 min (or 0.01 mg/kg for pts <60 kg) in monitored setting. If no response within 10 min, may repeat 50%-100% of initial dose. Consider dose reduction in those >65 yr.

Monitoring caution: Patient should be monitored closely for proarrhythmias for at least 4 hr after dose is given.

Mixing: 1 mg in 50 ml of D5W or NS, or give undiluted.

Half-life: 6 hr

Elimination: Hepatic (isoenzyme unknown)

EKG changes: QT prolongation

 

Isoproterenol     To Top

Class: Beta-adrenergic agonist

Dosing: 2-20 mcg/min (usual range), titrate to heart rate and/or rhythm.

Mixing: 2 mg in 250 ml

Elimination: Hepatic and renal

 

Lepirudin     To Top

Class: Direct thrombin inhibitor

Dosing for HIT: Initial bolus of 0.2-0.4 mg/kg (not to exceed 44 mg) injected over 15-20 seconds, followed by infusion of 0.1-0.15 mg/kg/hr (not to exceed 16.5 mg/hr).

Dosing with thrombolytics: Initial bolus of 0.2 mg/kg, followed by infusion of 0.1 mg/kg/hr.

Dosing in renal insufficiency: bolus dose of 0.2 mg/kg, followed by infusion:

  CrCl

Cr

Infusion

  45-60

1.6-2

0.075 mg/kg/hr

  30-44

2.1-3

0.045 mg/kg/hr

  15-29

3.1-6

0.0225 mg/kg/hr

  <15

>6

none*

  *give 0.1 mg/kg bolus QOD or redose when aPTT <1.5x baseline.

Monitoring:

  Measure aPTT 4hr after start of infusion and adjust dose to reach an aPTT of 1.5-2.5 times baseline.

  For aPTT >target, stop infusion for 2hr, restart at 50% previous rate without bolus. Recheck aPTT in 4hr.

  For aPTT <target, increase rate of infusion by 20% and recheck aPTT in 4hr.

Mixing: Initial bolus 50 mg in 10 ml of NS or D5W (5 mg/ml); infusion mixed as 100 mg in 250 ml of NS or D5W.

Half-life: 1.3 hr (up to 2 days with renal failure: CrCl <15 ml/min or hemodialysis).

 

Lidocaine     To Top

Class: Anti-arrhythmic agent

Dosing (normal LV & hepatic function):

  Boluses: 75 mg IV, then 50 mg IV q5 min x3 (total dose 225 mg)

  Infusion: 2 mg/min

Dosing (moderate LV dysfunction):

  Boluses: 75 mg IV, then 50 mg IV in 5 min x1 (total dose 125 mg)

  Infusion: 1 mg/min

Dosing (severe LV dysfunction or hepatic impairment):

  Bolus: 50-75 mg IV x1

  Infusion: 0.5 mg/min

Mixing: 2 grams in 500 ml

Half-life: 1.5-2 hr; (4-12 hr with HF or cirrhosis)

Elimination: Hepatic (P4503A4)

ECG changes: None

Therapeutic drug conc.: 2-5 mcg/ml

 

Metoprolol     To Top

Class: Beta-adrenergic blocking agent

Dosing post MI: 5 mg IV q3-5 min x3 doses, then 50-100 mg po q12h.

Note: If CrCl is good, 100 mg po qd of atenolol is approximately equivalent to 100 mg po q12h of metoprolol. Daily doses of metoprolol and metoprolol XL/CR are equivalent.

Elimination: Hepatic (P4502D6)

 

Mexiletine     To Top

Class: Anti-arrhythmic agent

Dosing: Start with 150 mg po q8 hr and increase dose q1-3 days by 50 mg q8 hr depending on side effects. Usual maximum dose is 900-1200 mg/day.

Half-life: 8-15 hr

Elimination: Hepatic (P4502D6)

ECG changes: None

Therapeutic drug conc.: Not helpful

 

Milrinone     To Top

Class: Phosphodiesterase inhibitor

Dosing: No loading dose is needed. Initiate dose at 0.125-0.25 mcg/kg/min. Dose can be gradually titrated up to 0.5-0.75 mcg/kg/min.

Dosing for pts with renal insufficiency: Decrease above doses by 50%.

Mixing: 20 mg in 100 ml (0.2 mg/ml) of D5W (premixed solution in glass bottle)

Half-life: 1.5-2.5 hr in pts with HF (increases to 4+ hr in RI)

Elimination: Renal

 

Moricizine     To Top

Class: Anti-arrhythmic agent

Dosing: Start with 200 mg po q8h, increase dose in 3-5 day intervals to 250 mg po q8h, then 300 mg po q8h depending on ECG changes and side effects.

Half-life: 3-4 hr (May have active metabolite with activity up to 18-24 hr. In RI, t1/2 increases up to 40 hr.)

Elimination: Hepatic (isoenzyme unknown) and renal

ECG changes: PR and QRS prolongation

Therapeutic drug conc.: Not available

 

Nitroglycerin     To Top

Class: Vasodilator

Dosing: 10-20 mcg/min IV to start; increase 10 mcg/min q5 min until relief of angina, fall in BP or PCWP. Individualize therapy. Maximum dose is approximately 400 mcg/min. Tolerance develops over time.

Mixing: 50 mg in 250 ml

Half-life: 1-4 min

Elimination: Hepatic and tissue

 

Nitroprusside   To Top

Class: Vasodilator

Dosing: 0.5-0.8 mcg/kg/min to start, increase by 0.5 mcg/kg/min to a maximum of 8-10 mcg/kg/min. Titrate dose to expected BP/CO. Individualize therapy.

Mixing: 100 mg in 250ml

Elimination: RBCs and tissue

 

Norepinephrine     To Top

Class: Adrenergic agonist

Dosing: 2-20 mcg/min usual range and titrate to BP. There is considerable variation between pts.

Mixing: 8 mg in 250 ml

Elimination: Hepatic and tissue

 

Phenylephrine     To Top

Class: Adrenergic agonist

Dosing: 0.1-10 mcg/kg/min, titrate

Mixing: 80 mg in 250 ml

Elimination: Hepatic and tissue

 

Procainamide     To Top

Class: Anti-arrhythmic agent

Dosing (normal renal function):

  Loading: 17 mg/kg over 30-60 min

  Infusion: 3 mg/kg/hr

Dosing (mild RI):

  Loading: 15 mg/kg over 30-60 min

  Infusion: 2 mg/kg/hr

Dosing (mod-severe RI: CrCl ~20 ml/min):

  Loading: 13 mg/kg over 30-60 min

  Infusion: 1 mg/kg/hr

Dosing (ESRD or CrCl <20 ml/min):

  Avoid use

Note: Dosing is based upon total body weight. NAPA is an active metabolite.

Mixing: 2 gm in 250 ml

Conversion of IV to po: Total daily dose of IV procainamide is similar to total daily dose of oral procainamide. Stop IV 4 hr after 1st po dose.

Half-life with normal renal function: procainamide: 4 hr, NAPA: 8 hr

Half-life with renal insufficiency: procainamide: 8-24 hr, NAPA: 12-70 hr

Elimination: Renal and hepatic (NAPA is primarily renal)

ECG changes: QT prolongation

Therapeutic drug conc.: Procainamide: 4-10 mcg/ml; NAPA: <25-30 mcg/ml

 

Propafenone     To Top

Class: Anti-arrhythmic

Dosing: Start with 150 mg po q8h, increase dose in 3-5 day intervals to 225 mg po q8h, then 300mg po q8h depending on ECG changes.

Half-life: 2-32 hr (extensive and poor metabolizers, active metabolites)

Elimination: Hepatic (P4501A2, P4502D6, and P4503A4)

ECG changes: Prolongation in PR and QRS

Therapeutic drug conc.: Not helpful

 

Quinidine     To Top

Class: Anti-arrhythmic

Dosing (age <65, no RI):

  sulfate: 600 mg q6h

  Quinidex®: 600 mg q8h

  Quinaglute® : 648 mg q8h

Dosing (age > or =65, no RI):

  sulfate: 300 mg q6h

  Quinidex®: 300 mg q8h

  Quinaglute® : 324 mg q8h

Dosing (severe RI):

  sulfate: 200 mg q8h

  Quinidex®: 300 mg q12h

  Quinaglute® : 324 mg q12h

Half-life: 6 hr (increases up to 12 hr in elderly, hepatic disease)

Elimination: Hepatic (P4503A4) and renal

ECG changes: QT prolongation

Therapeutic drug conc.: 1.5-5 mcg/ml

 

Reteplase     To Top

Class: Thrombolytic (rPA)

Dosing for MI: 10 units IV over 2 min given twice at 30 minute intervals.

 

Sotalol     To Top

Class: Anti-arrhythmic

Dosing: Start with 80 mg po q12 (40-80 mg po qd if renal impairment), increase dose q 2-3 days (q4-6 days if renal impairment) if needed. Maximum dose about 480 mg per day.

Caution: Proarrhythmias increase with increasing dose.

Half-life: 8-20 hr (increases to 40 hr with RI)

Elimination: Renal

ECG changes: QT prolongation

 

Tenecteplase     To Top

Class: Thrombolytic (TNK-tPA)

Dosing for MI: IV bolus over 5 seconds.

  Pt weight

Dose

  <60 kg

30 mg

  60-69 kg

35 mg

  70-79 kg

40 mg

  80-89 kg

45 mg

  >90 kg

50 mg

 

Tirofiban     To Top

Class: Platelet glycoprotein IIb-IIIa inhibitor

Dosing for ACS: 0.4 mcg/kg/min (up to 60 mcg/min) for 30 min, then 0.1 mcg/kg/min (up to 0.9 mg/hr) for up to 48 hr.

Dosing for renal insufficiency: Reduce loading and infusion doses by 50% for CrCl <30 ml/minute.

Mixing: 12.5 mg in 250 ml NS

Half-life: 2 hr

Elimination: Renal

 

Verapamil     To Top

Class: Calcium channel blocking agent

Dosing for SVT: 5-10 mg IV given slowly over 3-10 min. May repeat in 30 min if needed.

Half-life: 3-7 hr

Elimination: Hepatic (P4501A2, P4503A4)

 

Abbreviations     To Top

ACS = acute coronary syndrome

CO = cardiac output

CrCl = creatinine clearance

DVT = deep-vein thrombosis

ECG = electrocardiogram

ESRD = end-stage renal disease

HF = congestive heart failure

HIT = heparin-induced thrombocytopenia

HITTS = heparin-induced thrombocytopenia-thrombosis syndrome

LBW = lean body weight

LV = left ventricular

MI = myocardial infarction

PCI = percutaneous coronary intervention

PCWP = pulmonary capillary wedge pressure

RI = renal insufficiency

SCr = serum creatinine

 

About / Disclaimers  To Top

The Duke Heart Center Dosing Guide 2001: Dosing of Selected Cardiovascular Medications for Adults.

Authors: Nancy M. Allen LaPointe, PharmD; Gary Dunham, PharmD; Tracy DeWald, PharmD

Edited for the Pocket PC by James E. Tcheng, MD

Supported by unrestricted grants from Wyeth-Ayerst, Pfizer, GlaxoSmithKline, and Merck. Developed in collaboration with the Centers for Education & Research on Therapeutics (CERTs) at Duke. Copyright © 2001 CERTs. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the expressed written permission of the authors.

1. These data represent general guidelines based on studies in adults. Dosages need to be adjusted for each individual patient based upon that individual’s pharmacokinetic properties and pharmacodynamic response. Numerous factors including age, gender, genetic phenotype, physiologic state, presence of concurrent disease, body weight, and presence of interacting drugs may require an adjustment in dosage.

2. Steady state serum concentrations are not reached until after 4-5 times the half-life of the drug.  Drug concentration measurements made prior to steady state are difficult to interpret. Trough drug concentrations are preferred. Therapeutic drug conc. ranges reported are based upon the assay methodology used at Duke Hospital at the time of publication.

3. Total body weight should be used in calculations unless otherwise specified.

4. These general guidelines are for the exclusive use of practitioners employed by Duke University and/or Duke University Health System and members or employees of the Private Diagnostic Clinic, PLLC. Any other use is prohibited and unauthorized.