Dosing for Peds/Ped Drug Dosing

Question 1

Why is there no standard dose for most ped meds?

Answer 1

• kids grow fast –> absorption/ distribution/ metabolism/ elimination changes
  
  • GFR reaches adult levels at 2 y/o
• development of drug metabolism continues throughout childhood

Question 2

Wt in lbs to wt in kg

Answer 2

2.2lbs = 1kg

divide lbs by 2.2 = kg

Question 3

When writing prescriptions for peds pts, make sure to..

Answer 3

• patient weight is documented somewhere visible to the pharmacist
• specify the concentration or size of tablet/capsule
• write your medication order in actual (mg) rather than volume or number of pills

Question 4

What can be used instead of wt to accurately dose medication?

Answer 4

Body surface area

Question 5

Up to what weight is weight based dosing safe? After which, what should be used?

Answer 5

safe up to 40kg

above –> adult dose should be used

Question 6

How can you reduce med errors?

Answer 6

write clearly

specify dose vs. day

have wt on prescription

say 4mg, not 4.0mg; say 0.2mg, not .2mg

write out word unit

order meds in mg, not mL (exception: TPM/SMX)

do not abbreviate drug names

don’t use (μg); use (mcg) or write out “microgram.”