Ayurvedic Principles

Dosage Calculations for Ayurvedic Medicines and Herbal Medicines

There are different methods for calculation of the appropriate Dosage of medicines in modern science. We have adopted easy method to determine the most suitable and appropriate dosage for children as well as adults based on their body weight.

Pediatric Dosage calculation of ayurvedic medicines is also described in ayurvedic texts. In this article, we will provide the details about the dosage calculation for ayurvedic and herbal medicines adopted by us.

Dr. Jagdev’s Formula

(Dr. Jagdev’s Formula for Calculating the appropriate Dosage of ayurvedic medicines according to body weight)

We calculate the dosage according to the body weight of the child. In ayurvedic texts, the dosage is recommended as “Low Normal Dosage to High Normal Dosage”. For example, the recommended dosage for Sutshekhar Ras is 125 to 250 mg twice or thrice daily. In this, 125 mg is low normal dosage and 250 mg is high normal dosage for Sutshekhar Ras.

Dosage Calculation for Herbal Preparations and Ayurvedic Medicines

We consider “high normal dosage” is accurate, most appropriate and suitable for a person having 60 Kg body weight. Based on this, we take “high normal dosage” for calculating the appropriate dosage of ayurvedic medicines for pediatric practice as well as for the adults.

Calculating Dosage for per Kg body Weight

High Normal Adult Dosage ÷ 60 = Dosage per Kg Body Weight

Example

High Normal Adult Dosage for Sutshekhar Ras is 250 mg. Then the dosage per Kg body Weight will be:

250 ÷ 60 = 4.17 mg per Kg weight

Round off: 4 mg per Kg weight

Calculating Dosage for Total Body Weight

High Normal Adult Dosage ÷ 60 X Total body weight in Kilogram (Kg) = Child’s Dose

Example

High Normal Adult Dosage for Sutshekhar Ras is 250 mg. If a child has 10 Kg body weight, then the dosage for a child should be:

250 ÷ 60 X 10 = 41.7 mg

Round off: 40 mg

Dosage calculation for medicine with hot potency

The hot potency medicines or herbs are not suitable in some cases, especially in children. If medicine has hot potency, then take “Low Normal Adult Dosage” and divide it by 60.

Calculating Dosage for per Kg body Weight

Low Normal Adult Dosage ÷ 60 = Dosage per Kg Body Weight

Example

Low Normal Adult Dosage for Sutshekhar Ras is 125 mg. Then the dosage per Kg body Weight will be:

125 ÷ 60 = 2.08 mg per Kg weight

Round off: 2 mg per Kg weight

Calculating Dosage for Total Body Weight

Low Normal Adult Dosage ÷ 60 X Total body weight in Kilogram (Kg) = Child’s Dose

Example

Low Normal Adult Dosage for Sutshekhar Ras is 125 mg. If a child has 10 Kg body weight, then the dosage for a child should be:

125 ÷ 60 X 10 = 20.8 mg

Round off: 20 mg

Round off Rule

  1. Determine the rounding digit and look to the right side of it. If the right digit is 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4 do not change the rounding digit. All digits that are on the right side of the requested rounding digit will become 0. Example: ‘42’ rounded to the nearest ten is ‘40’.
  2. Determine the rounding digit and look to the right of it. If the digit is 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9, the rounding digit rounds up by one number. All digits that are on the right side of the requested rounding digit will become 0. Example: ‘48’ rounded to the nearest ten is ‘50’.
  3. Similar rules are applied to the decimal numbers. If calculation gives value in decimals, then first round off the decimals and then round off the whole value.

Other Rules

  1. If a child is obese or overweight, then the maximum dosage should not exceed the “Recommended High Normal Dosage”.
  2. Sometimes, High Normal Adult Dosage is not showing a positive result in overweight or obese adult people, then the dosage can be increased based on the same formula, but the maximum dosage should not exceed the double of the “Recommended High Normal Dosage”.

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