Local anesthetic dose calculator
Work out the maximum dose and cartridges for any patient, see every step, then practise on fresh cases. Pairs with the dose calculations review sheet.
Educational only. These are the widely taught maximum recommended doses. Verify against the current product labeling and your institution's protocol before treating a patient, and always use the smallest dose that works.
Maximum dose calculator
11max cartridges (1.8 mL), rounded down
490 mgmax dose
7 mg/kgabsolute max 500 mg
36 mgper 1.8-mL cartridge (34 mg at 1.7 mL)
0.2 mgepinephrine limit: 11.1 cartridges
- Weight: 70 kg.
- MRD (adult): 7 mg/kg, absolute max 500 mg.
- 7 x 70 = 490 mg.
- 2% = 20 mg/mL; x 1.8 mL = 36 mg per cartridge.
- 490 / 36 = 13.6 -> 13 cartridges by drug.
- Epinephrine: 0.018 mg per cartridge; 0.2 mg limit / 0.018 = 11.1 -> 11 cartridges.
- Answer: 11 cartridges, rounded down (the epinephrine limit is lower).
Adult 7.0 mg/kg, max 500 mg (U.S. labeling with epinephrine; Malamed). Older texts use 4.4 mg/kg, max 300 mg.