Aminoglycoside dosage adjustment in renal failure: a hand-held calculator program.

Several problems occur when devising dosage guidelines for aminoglycoside antibiotics in patients with renal failure. To rationally address these problems, dosage guidelines require several steps involving complex calculations, use of graphic charts and/or use of sophisticated computer systems. We describe a practical program for modifying doses of aminoglycosides using a programmable hand-held calculator; this program is based both on pharmacokinetic theory and on applicability to varied clinical settings. The program compiles a series of equations to provide recommended doses, dosing intervals and predictions of serum concentrations of aminoglycosides at various times after a dose. It is hoped that patient care can be improved by using this simple, convenient and low-cost approach which retains efficiency and accuracy as a bed side method of dosage adjustment for aminoglycosides.