Adjusted Body Weight Formula:
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Adjusted Body Weight (AdjBW) is a calculated weight used in clinical settings, particularly for medication dosing in obese patients. It accounts for the fact that adipose tissue has different pharmacokinetic properties than lean body mass.
The calculator uses the Adjusted Body Weight formula:
Where:
Explanation: This formula adjusts for the fact that adipose tissue has approximately 40% of the drug distribution capacity of lean tissue.
Details: Adjusted Body Weight is particularly important for accurate dosing of medications in obese patients, where using total body weight might lead to overdosing, while using ideal body weight might result in underdosing.
Tips: Enter the patient's ideal body weight and actual weight in kilograms. Both values must be valid positive numbers.
Q1: When should Adjusted Body Weight be used?
A: AdjBW is typically used for medication dosing in obese patients (BMI > 30 kg/m²), particularly for drugs with narrow therapeutic windows.
Q2: How is Ideal Body Weight calculated?
A: IBW can be calculated using various formulas, most commonly: For men: 50 kg + 2.3 kg per inch over 5 feet; For women: 45.5 kg + 2.3 kg per inch over 5 feet.
Q3: Are there alternative adjustment formulas?
A: Yes, some clinicians use different correction factors (0.3-0.5) depending on the medication and patient characteristics.
Q4: Does this apply to all medications?
A: No, different medications have different distribution characteristics. Always consult specific dosing guidelines for each medication.
Q5: When should total body weight be used instead?
A: Total body weight is typically used for medications that distribute extensively into adipose tissue or for patients who are not obese.