Local anesthetic maximum dose calculator

When to use

• Checking a planned local anesthetic dose against commonly cited weight-based and absolute maximums before infiltration or regional block.

Formula

Maximum dose (mg) = min(mg/kg limit x weight, published absolute maximum mg) for the selected agent/epinephrine combination.

Pearls and pitfalls

• These are commonly cited ceiling doses, not guarantees of safety; systemic toxicity can occur below them, especially with inadvertent intravascular injection.
• Use ideal or lean body weight in obese patients; do not scale doses to actual weight without clinical judgement.

References

1. Rosenberg PH, et al. Reg Anesth Pain Med. 2004;29(6):564-575.