Tag: Adjusted body weight

Pharmacokinetic studies have shown that dosing obese patients with intravenous (IV) acyclovir based solely on ideal body weight (IBW) may result in sub-therapeutic drug levels, potentially leading to treatment failure. The question of whether is acyclovir given actual or ideal body weight is not a simple choice, but rather a nuanced clinical decision based on the route of administration, the patient's body composition, and their renal function.

Up to 61% of obese patients may experience vancomycin accumulation within the first 10 days of therapy, which can increase the risk of toxicity. Consequently, a critical question in clinical practice is: **Do you use adjusted body weight for vancomycin?** The answer is often complex and depends on whether you are calculating a loading dose versus a maintenance dose.