What weight calculation should be used for dosing aminoglycosides in underweight patients?

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When determining the appropriate weight calculation for dosing aminoglycosides in underweight patients, using Absolute Body Weight is crucial because it accurately reflects the actual weight of the patient. Aminoglycosides have a narrower therapeutic range and a higher risk for toxicity, making it important to avoid under-dosing.

In underweight individuals, using Absolute Body Weight ensures that the dose is tailored precisely to their body composition, allowing for effective achievement of therapeutic levels while minimizing the risk of adverse effects. This prevents the potential for insufficient drug exposure, which could be caused by reliance on other weight calculations that do not accurately represent the patient's actual body mass.

Other weight calculations, such as Adjusted Body Weight or Ideal Body Weight, may lead to dosing inaccuracies in underweight patients, while Standard Body Weight might not have relevant applicability for this specific population. Thus, Absolute Body Weight is the most suitable metric for accurately dosing aminoglycosides, promoting both efficacy and safety in treatment.

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