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Table 1 Common weight measures used to estimate size when dosing medications in obese patients

From: Drug dosing in the critically ill obese patient: a focus on medications for hemodynamic support and prophylaxis

Weight measure

Equation

Body mass index (kg/m2)

TBW/height (m)2

Ideal body weight (kg) [74]

Males: 50 kg + 2.3 kg/inch for height over 5 feet

Females: 45.5 kg + 2.3 kg/inch for height over 5 feet

Lean body weight (kg) [5]

Males: (9270 × TBW) / (6680 + 216 × BMI)

Females: (9270 × TBW) / (8780 + 244 × BMI)

Adjusted body weight (kg) [75]

CF (TBW − IBW) + IBW, where CF = correction factor (usually 0.4)