Question

The order states: Metoclopramide 125 mg IV 30 min before chemotherapy. May be repeated q.2–4 hours. The patient is 56 years old and weighs 198 lb. What is the maximum safe dose that the patient can receive according to the drug reference? Enter the numeral only (not the unit) in your answer.

Answer 1

Metoclopramide is a drug that increases muscle contractions in the gut and increases gastric emptying. It is used in nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy.

The drug reference range is 1 to 2 mg/kg body weight

Max drug reference range is 2 mg/ kg

The patient's body weight is 198 lb

First, The body weight to be converted to Kgs

Kg= Pounds X 0.4535

Kg= 198X0.4535=89.793 kgs

Since, the maximum reference range is 2 mg/kg,

The maximum safe dose = patients' weight in kgs X maximum drug reference range.

89.793 X 2=179.586

Hence, the maximum safe dose the patient can receive is 179