Anesthesia Dose Calculator

What Is the Anesthesia Dose Calculator?

This comprehensive calculator provides weight-based dosing for all major anesthesia medications in one place. Instead of calculating each drug individually, enter the patient's weight once and instantly see dose ranges (in mg and mL) for induction agents, neuromuscular blockers, opioids, reversal agents, and common adjuncts.

Induction Agents

Propofol (10 mg/mL) is the most commonly used induction agent. Standard dose is 1.5–2.5 mg/kg IV; reduce to 1–1.5 mg/kg in elderly (>65 years) or hemodynamically unstable patients. Etomidate (2 mg/mL) at 0.3 mg/kg provides hemodynamically stable induction — preferred in patients with cardiovascular compromise. Ketamine (10 mg/mL IV concentration) at 1–2 mg/kg IV is the induction agent of choice for hemodynamically unstable patients and those with reactive airways; 4–5 mg/kg IM for dissociative sedation. Thiopental at 3–5 mg/kg IV has largely been replaced by propofol but remains available. Midazolam (1 mg/mL) at 0.1–0.3 mg/kg is rarely used as a sole induction agent but common as a co-induction adjunct.

Neuromuscular Blockers

Succinylcholine (20 mg/mL) at 1–1.5 mg/kg IV is the classic RSI paralytic with the fastest onset (45–60 seconds). Contraindicated in hyperkalemia, burns >24h, denervation injuries, and malignant hyperthermia susceptibility. Rocuronium (10 mg/mL) at 0.6 mg/kg for standard intubation or 1.2 mg/kg for RSI (onset ~60s at high dose). Fully reversible with sugammadex. Vecuronium (1 mg/mL reconstituted) at 0.08–0.1 mg/kg and Cisatracurium (2 mg/mL) at 0.15–0.2 mg/kg are intermediate-acting alternatives.

Opioid Analgesics

Fentanyl (50 mcg/mL) at 1–3 mcg/kg for induction blunts the sympathetic response to laryngoscopy. Maintenance infusion 0.5–2 mcg/kg/hr. Remifentanil (typically reconstituted to 50 mcg/mL) at 0.5–1 mcg/kg bolus with maintenance infusion 0.05–0.2 mcg/kg/min — ultra-short-acting, ideal for cases requiring rapid emergence. Morphine (various concentrations) at 0.1–0.2 mg/kg and Hydromorphone (various) at 0.01–0.02 mg/kg for longer-acting analgesia.

Reversal Agents

Sugammadex (100 mg/mL) is the selective reversal agent for rocuronium and vecuronium: 2 mg/kg for moderate block (TOF count ≥2), 4 mg/kg for deep block (PTC ≥1), and 16 mg/kg for immediate reversal after failed intubation. Neostigmine (1 mg/mL) at 0.04–0.07 mg/kg (max 5 mg) with glycopyrrolate 0.01 mg/kg reverses non-depolarizing agents at TOF ≥2. Flumazenil (0.1 mg/mL) at 0.2 mg IV initial, then 0.1 mg q1min (max 1 mg) reverses benzodiazepines. Naloxone (0.4 mg/mL) at 0.04–0.4 mg IV reverses opioids — titrate carefully to avoid sympathetic surge.

Common Concentrations Used

Drug	Concentration
Propofol	10 mg/mL (1%)
Etomidate	2 mg/mL
Ketamine	10 mg/mL (IV), 50 mg/mL (IM)
Thiopental	25 mg/mL (2.5%)
Midazolam	1 mg/mL
Succinylcholine	20 mg/mL
Rocuronium	10 mg/mL
Vecuronium	1 mg/mL (reconstituted)
Cisatracurium	2 mg/mL
Fentanyl	50 mcg/mL
Remifentanil	50 mcg/mL (reconstituted)
Sugammadex	100 mg/mL
Neostigmine	1 mg/mL
Glycopyrrolate	0.2 mg/mL
Flumazenil	0.1 mg/mL
Naloxone	0.4 mg/mL
Ondansetron	2 mg/mL
Atropine	0.1 mg/mL
Ephedrine	5 mg/mL
Phenylephrine	100 mcg/mL

Key References

• Miller RD, et al. Miller's Anesthesia, 9th Edition. Elsevier, 2020.
• Barash PG, et al. Barash Clinical Anesthesia, 8th Edition. Wolters Kluwer, 2017.
• Lexicomp Drug Information. UpToDate/Lexicomp, 2024.
• UpToDate. General anesthesia: Intravenous induction agents; Neuromuscular blocking agents. Wolters Kluwer, 2024.