ICU sedation, delirium & recovery
Principles of drug dosing for obese patients in the intensive care unit
Authors' conclusion
Drug dosing in critically ill obese patients should be individualized by assessing pharmacokinetic variability and whether pharmacodynamic goals can be achieved. Selecting the correct weight for weight-based calculations or dose for fixed regimens is paramount for achieving these goals. Consultation with a clinical pharmacist may be beneficial.
Study context
- Population
- Critically ill patients with extreme obesity in the intensive care unit
- Outcome
- Evidence guiding medication use in critically ill obese patients
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
- Limited by the small number of patients with more extreme forms of obesity, the lack of clinical outcome measurements, and the few studies that are specific to the intensive care unit (ICU)
- Obesity-related alterations in pharmacokinetic parameters, such as apparent volume of distribution and drug clearance, may hinder attainment of pharmacodynamic targets
- Individualized dosing strategies are essential to optimize therapeutic outcomes
Original publication
Principles of drug dosing for obese patients in the intensive care unit. Intensive Care Med. Published 22 October 2026. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →