Pick the right dosing weight per drug. IBW (Devine) for non-depolarizing NMBs. LBW (Janmahasatian) for propofol induction + lipophilic drugs in obese patients. ABW for aminoglycosides + initial heparin. Total body weight (TBW) for sux + vanc + propofol maintenance.
IBW
65.9 kg
Devine — non-depolarizing NMBs
ABW
71.6 kg
Aminoglycosides, initial heparin
LBW
58.6 kg
Propofol induction, lipophilic drugs
| Drug | Use which weight |
|---|---|
| Succinylcholine | TBW |
| Rocuronium / vecuronium / cisatracurium | IBW |
| Propofol — induction | LBW |
| Propofol — maintenance infusion | TBW |
| Fentanyl / opioids (obese) | LBW |
| Aminoglycosides (gent, tobra) | ABW |
| Vancomycin | TBW |
| Heparin (initial bolus) | ABW |
| Acetaminophen | TBW (cap 75 mg/kg/day or 4 g) |
Clinical note: Devine IBW formula (1974) anchors most clinical practice. Janmahasatian LBW is more accurate than older Hume / James formulas in obesity and is now preferred for propofol + lipophilic dosing per modern pharmacokinetic modeling. ABW = IBW + 0.4 × (TBW − IBW). Education only.