Variables
Description
What is this formula?
The Body Surface Area Dose calculates the total drug dose based on a patient's body surface area. This method is widely used in oncology and pediatric medicine because body surface area often correlates better with physiological function than body weight alone.
When to use it
Use this formula when dosing medications prescribed in mg/m², particularly chemotherapy agents, immunosuppressants, and selected pediatric treatments.
Example
Data:
Dm2 = 75 mg/m²
BSA = 1.8 m²
Formula:
D = Dm2 × BSA
Substitution:
D = 75 × 1.8
Result:
D = 135 mg
Applications
- Chemotherapy dosing
- Pediatric pharmacotherapy
- Immunosuppressive therapy
- Clinical oncology
- Individualized drug dosing
Note
Body surface area dosing is an empirical method that improves dose individualization compared with simple weight-based dosing for some drugs. However, it does not fully account for differences in metabolism, organ function, genetics, or body composition. Clinical judgment and therapeutic monitoring may still be required.