Final answer:
To calculate dosage, practitioners use methods like Body Surface Area calculations, Milligram per Kilogram dosing, and dosage by weight, considering factors that affect drug metabolism and clearance to avoid toxicity.
Step-by-step explanation:
Three methods to calculate dosage are Body Surface Area (BSA) calculations, Milligram per Kilogram dosage calculations, and dosage by weight calculations. BSA calculations factor in the patient's surface area, taking into account both their weight and height. Milligram per Kilogram dosage calculations use the patient's weight to determine the appropriate dose, typically used for pediatric patients. For dosage by weight, adults and children over 12 years of age may have a standard dose, but in some cases, the patient's mass is considered for accurate dosing. Medical practitioners often utilize unit conversion factors to translate doses into measurable amounts, ensuring that the optimal therapeutic drug levels are administered without causing toxicity.
Each drug has potential side effects, and the route of administration is carefully chosen to minimize risks and provide clinical efficacy. Factors such as patient age, body mass, and specific metabolism are considered during dose calculations. Especially for individuals with a history of liver or kidney dysfunction, drug metabolism or clearance can be altered, necessitating adjustment of the dosage to prevent unwanted side effects or toxicity.