DOSAGE INDICATIONS

1-10

Thyroid (Armour Thyroid)

Maintenance: 60mg to 180mg per day

Liothyronine (Cytomel)

The usual starting dose is 25mcg per day. May increase at 2-week intervals up to the usual maintenance dose of 25-75mcg daily

Levothyroxine Sodium (Synthroid)

Adults: 25 to 300mcg once per day

Metformin (Glucophage)

Usual starting dose is 500mg BID WM, or 850mg QD w/ morning meal. Gradually increase dose by 500mg/week or 850mg/every other week. Max daily dose is 2550mg.

Glimeperide (Amryl)

Usual maintenance dose is 1-4mg daily with a max of 8mg daily

Glyburide (Micronase, Diabeta)

Normal dosage range is 2.5 to 5mg given once or twice daily

Glipizide (Gluctrol & Glucotrol XL)

Normal dosage range is 5 to 20mg per day.

Lansoprazole (Prevacid) (short-term)

Short-term treatment of erosive esophagitis: 30mg daily before a meal.

Lansoprazole (Prevacid) (maintenance)

To maintain healing of erosive esophagitis/ulcers: 15mg once a day

Lansoprazole (Prevacid) (GERD)

15mg once daily for up to 8 weeks

Dexlansoprazole (Dexilant)

30mg once daily

Omeprazole (Prilosec)

Maintenance therapy of healing erosive esophagitis: 20mg once daily

Pantoprazole Sodium (Protonix)

For short-term GERD: 40mg once daily for up to 8 weeks.

Esomeprazole Magnesium (Nexium)

For short-term treatment of erosive esophagitis: 20 to 40mg daily for 4 to 8 weeks

Famotidine (Pepcid)

For treatment of GERD: 20mg to 40mg BID for 6 to 12 weeks

Amoxicillin Trihydrate

Adults: 250 to 500mg Q8H or 500-875mg Q12H

Amoxicillin w/ Clavulanate Potassium (Augmentin)

Adults: One Augmentin 500 Q8H or one Augmentin 875 Q12H

Raloxifene HCL (Evista)

For osteoporosis in postmenopausal women:

One 60mg Tablet once a day w/o regard to meals or time of day.

Alendronate sodium (Fosamax) [Treatment]

For the treatment of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women:

10mg once a day or 70mg once a week

Alendronate sodium (Fosamax) [Prevention]

For the prevention of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women:

5mg once a day or 35mg once a week

Alendronate sodium (Fosamax) [Men]

To increase bone mass in men with osteoporosis:

10mg once a day

Ibuprofen (Motrin)

Rheumatoid/osteoarthritis, including flare-ups of chronic disease:

1200mg to 3200mg in three to four divided doses

Naproxen (Naprosen)

Rheumatoid/osteoarthritis and ankylosingspondylitis:

250mg to 500mg BID

Meloxicam (Mobic)

Recommended starting dose: 7.5mg once daily.

Max daily dose is 15mg.

Celecoxib (Celebrex)

For relief of signs/symptoms of osteoarthritis:

200mg once daily or 100mg BID

Nabumetone (Relafen)

Acute & long-term use in management of signs/symptoms of rheumatoid/osteoarthritis:

Initial dose: 1000mg once daily WF or milk.

Maintenance dose: 500mg to 2000mg daily, in 1-2 doses WF or milk.

Diclofenac Sodium [oral] (Voltaren) {RA}

Acute/chronic treatment of signs/symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis:

50mg 3-4x a day, 75mg BID, or 100mg XR 1-2 times a day.

Diclofenac Sodium [oral] (Voltaren) {OA}

Acute/chronic treatment of signs/symptoms of osteoarthritis:

50mg 2-3x a day, 75mg BID, or 100mg XR once a day.

Diclofenac Sodium [gel] (Voltaren Gel)

For relief of osteoarthritis pain in joints:

Use card to apply 2 gm to AA of upper extrimity or 4gm to AA of lower extremity up to 4x a day.

Do not apply more than 16gm to any lower joint, or 8gm to any upper joint, per day.

Progesterone (Prometrium)

For prevention in endometrial hyperplasia:

200mg QPM for 12 days sequentially per 28-day cycle.

Estrogens, Conjugated (Premarin)

For Vasomotor symptoms associated w/ menopause:

1.25mg daily started on day 5 of cycle if menstruating, otherwise therapy is started arbitrarily.

Testosterone Gel (Androgel, Fortesta, Testim)

For males deficient in endogenous hormone:

Recommended starting dose is 50mg once daily.

Doses should be applied to the upper arms & shoulders.

Max dose is 81mg daily.

Azithromycin Dihydrate (Zithromax)

Mild to moderate infection of lower/upper respiratory tract and skin:

500mg on first day, then 250mg once daily for 4 more days.

Minocycline HCL (Minocin)

For infections:

200mg initially, followed by 100mg Q12H

For syphilis:
Dosage above for 10-15 days

For gonorrhea:
Dosage above for 4 days

Minocycline HCL (Solodyn ER)

For treatment of inflammatory lesions of non-nodular moderate to severe acnre vulgaris in Pts ages 12+:

1mg/kg once daily for 12 weeks.

Doxycycline Hyclate (Vibramycin)

Infections:
100mg Q12H on the 1st day, followed by 100-200mg per day in 1-2 divided doses.

Syphilis:
300mg per day in divided doses x10 days

Gonnorhea:
100mg BID x7 days
or
300mg STAT, repeat dose in one hour.

Chlamydia:
100mb BID for at least 7 days

Malaria Prophylaxis:
100mg daily, beginning 2 days before departure and continue for 4 weeks after return.

Benztropine Mesylate (Cogentin) [Control]

For extrapyramidal disorders:
1mg to 4mg once or twice daily.

Dosage must be individualized to the need of the patient.

Benztropine Mesylate (Cogentin) [Adjunct]

For Parkinsonism

0.5mg to 6mg per day in two to four equally divided doses or as a single dose at bedtime

Dicyclomine HCL (Bentyl)

For IBS:

Oral: 10-20mg 3-4x daily, 30 minutes before meals

Injection: 20mg QID

Hyoscyamine Sulfate (Levsin, Levbid, Anaspaz, Hyomax)

Adjunct therapy in treating peptic ulcers, IBS, bladder/bowel disorders, colic, gastric hyperspasmosid/hypersecretory disorders, rhinits, anticholinesterase poisoning, and parkinsonism:

Adults: 0.125-0.25mg Q4H or PRN. Max 12 doses/day.

Children: 0.0625-0.125mg Q4H or PRN. Max 6 doses/day.

Oxybutynin Chloride (Ditropan)

For bladder instability:

One 5mg immediate release tablet 2-3x day. Max 20mg/day

For overactive bladder:

Start w/ one 5mg XR tab daily. May increase at weekly intervals to a max of 30mg/day.

Not for kids under 5 years of age.

Tolterodine Tartrate (Detrol)

Treatment of overactive bladder:

Starting adult dose: 4mg/day in one (LA capsule) or two (tablets) doses.

Solifenacin Succinate (Vesicare)

For overactive bladder:

Recommended starting dose: 5mg once daily.

Ipratropium Bromide (Atrovent) [Maintenance]

Treatment of bronchospasm from COPD

2 inhalations of aerosol or one vial of soln, 3-4x a day.

Ipratropium Bromide (Atrovent) [Treatment]

Treatment of allergic rhinorrhea ages 12+

2 sprays EN 2-3x a day

Treatment of common-cold rhinorrhea ages 12+

2 sprays EN 3-4x a day

Tiotropium Bromide (Spiriva)

Long-term maintenance for patients with COPD:

One inhalation from Handihaler or 2 sprays from 2.5mcg Respimat

Asthma treatment:

2 sprays from a 1.25mcg Respimat once daily.

Ipratropium Bromide with Albuterol Sulfate (Combivent, DuoNeb)

Treatment of bronchospasm for COPD:

One 3mL vial (via neb) or 2 sprays from MDI, QID

Memantine HCL (Namenda) [Tablets & Solution]

For treatment of dementia in Alzheimer's

Start at 5mg once daily for one week, then titrate eventually to 10mg BID w/ a target dose of 20mg/day.

Memantine HCL (Namenda) [Capsules]

For treatment of dementia in Alzheimer's

Start with 7mg once daily and titrate up to 28mg once daily. Wait at least 7 days before upping each dose.

Rivastigmine (Exelon) [Oral]

For treatment of dementia in Alzheimer's

Start with 1.5mg BID. Every 2 weeks increase dosage in 1.5 increments. If well tolerated, increase to 4.5mg or 6mg BID.

Oral solution and capsules may be interchanged in equal doses.

For Parkinson's:

Start with 1.5mg BID. Increase every 4 weeks in 1.5mg increments up to 3mg BID, or 4.5mg BID, or 6mg BID.

Rivastigmine (Exelon) [Transdermal]

For treatment of dementia in Alzheimer's

Start with 4.6mg/24H QD. After 4 weeks increase to 9.5mg/24H. May increase in 4 more weeks to 13.3mg/24H.

Potassium Chloride (Klor-Con, K-Dur, Micro-K)

For Potassium deficiency:

16 to 80 mEQ per day in one or two divided doses.

Adjust dosage to individual needs.

Sulfamethoxazole with Trimethoprim (Bactrim, Septra)

For UTI:

800mg/160mg Q12H x10-14 days.

Different dosages can be prescribed for:

Otits media, Pneumonititis, Prophylaxis in PCP, Traveler's diarrhea

Cephalexin Monohydrate (Keflex)

Infections due to Strep, E. coli, H. influenzae, etc.:

250mg to 1g Q6H.

For skin infections & cystitis:

500mg Q12H

Nitrofurantoin (Macrodantin)

UTI infections:

50mg to 100mg QID WF.

Nitrofurantoin (Macrobid)

Acute uncomplicated UTI:

100mg Q12H x7 days

Mirabegron (Myrbetriq)

For Overactive Bladder:

Recommended starting dose is 25mg QD. After 8 weeks, may be increased to 50mg QD.

Dosing in pts w/ severe renal/moderate hepatic impairment:

25mg QD

Sotalol HCL (Betapace)

For Ventricular arrhythmia:

80mg to 160mg BID

Amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone, Nexterone)

For ventricular fibrillation/tachycardia:

Usual maintenance dose of 400mg per day

Spironolactone (Aldactone)

For Edema (congestive heart failure, nephrotic syndrome, liver cirrhosis):

Initially 100mg per daywith 5-day adjustment intervals to maintenance dose of 25-200mg per day

Essential HTN:

50-100mg per day

Hypokalemia:

25-100mg per day

Metolazone (Zaroxolyn)

For edema assoc. w/ congestive heart failure/renal dysfunction:

5-20mg once daily

Control of HTN:

2.5-5mg once daily

Chlorthalidone (Hygroton)

Edema assoc. w/ congestive heart failure or hepatic cirrhosis, corticosteroid/estrogen therapy, or renal dysfunction:

50mg QD or 100mg QOD. Some pts might need 200mg QD.

Treatment of HTN:

25mg daily at first, then increase to 50-100mg per day.

Hydrochlorothiazide (Microzide)

For Edema assoc. w/ congestive heart failure, hepatic cirrhosis, corticosteroid/estrogen therapy, or renal dysfunction:

25-100mg daily in single or divided dose. QOD therapy is sufficient.

Control of HTN:

25mg daily in single dose. Some pts may need 50mg per day in divided doses

Triamterene w/ HCTZ (Dyazide, Maxzide)

For Edema assoc. w/ congestive heart failure, hepatic cirrhosis, nephrotic syndrome, idiopathic edema, or corticosteroid/estrogen therapy.

1-2 doses BID. Some pts may only need one dose/day or every other day.

Management of HTN:

1-2 doses/day. Some pts may only need one dose/day or every other day.

Furosemide (Lasix)

For edema associ w/ congestive heart failure, liver cirrhosis, or renal disease.

Oral: 20-80mg per day in 1-2 doses.

HTN Treatment:

40mg BID then adjust dose according to response.

Torsemide (Demadex)

For edema treatment assoc. w/ congestive heart failure or chronic renal failure:

20mg daily, may increase up to 200mg per day.

For edema treatment assoc. w/ hepatic cirrhosis:

Initial dose: 5mg-10mg QD. May increase up to 200mg/day.

Bumetanide (Bumex)

Treatment of Edema assoc. w/ congestive heart failure, cirrhosis of liver, and renal disease:

0.5mg-2mg daily in 1-2 doses, max of 10mg/day.

Tamsulosin HCl (Flomax)

For BPH:

Starting dose: 0.4mg QD. (May increase to 0.8mg daily if no response after 2-4 weeks)

Alfuozosin HCL (Uroxatrol)

For BPH:

One tablet (10mg) daily with the same meal eavery day. Don't crush/chew tablets.

Finasteride (Proscar)

For BPH:

5mg QD

Dutasteride (Avodart)

For BPH:

0.5mg QD. Swallow capsule whole. May be taken w/ or w/o food.

Donepezil HCl (Aricept)

For dementia from Alzheimer's:

Begin w/ 5mg HS.

May be increased after 4-6 weeks to a daily dose of 10mg HS.

After 3 months can increase to 23mg daily.

Zaleplon (Sonata)

For short-term treatment of insomnia:

Recommended initial dose of 10mg.

Doses above 20mg are not recommended

Zolpidem Tartrate (Ambien, Intermezzo)

For short-term treatment of insomnia:

5-12.5mg immediately before bedtime.

Dosages above initial 5mg or CR 6.25mg are not recommended.

Eszopiclone (Lunesta)

For the treatment of insomnia:

Recommended starting dose is 2mg (non-elderly) or 1mg (elderly) immediately before bedtime.

Dosages above 3mg not recommended.

Temazepam (Restoril)

For short-term treatment (7-10 days) of insomnia:

7.5mg-30mg given 30 minutes prior to bedtime.

This medication not intended for use longer than 10 days.

Not recommended for children under 18 years old.

Rizatriptan Benzoate (Maxalt)

For acute treatment of migraine attacks w/ or w/o aura:

5mg-10mg at the first sign of a migraine. The dose may be repeated after 2 hours with a max of 30mg in 24-hours.

Sumatriptan Succinate (Imitrex)

For the acute treatment of migraine attacks with or without aura and the acute treatment of cluster headaches:

25-100mg orally with fluids at the first sign of migraine attack.

Ursodiol (Actigall)

For prevention of gallstone formation in obese Pts experiencing rapid weight-loss:

300mg BID

Sildenafil Citrate (Viagra)

For the treatment of erectile dysfunction:

The recommended dose is 50mg taken 1 hour before sexual activity. Max one tablet per day.

Sildenafil Citrate (Revatio)

For the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension to improve exercise ability and delay clinical worsening:

5-20mg orally or 2.5-10mg injected IV, TID

Tadalafil (Cialis)

For the acute treatment of erectile dysfunction:

Recommended dose is 10mg, PRN, prior to sexual activity. Max once per day.

For chronic treatment of ED:

2.5mg QD at approx the same time each day, without regard to sexual activity timing.

For BPH:
5mg QD.

Valacyclovir (Valtrex)

For genital herpes:
1g BID x10 days

For treatment of recurrent genital herpes:
500mg-1g daily.


For herpes zoster (shingles):
1g TID x7 days, starting at first sign of disease.

For cold sores in Pts ages 12+:
2g BID x1 day at the earliest sign.

Acyclovir (Zovirax)

For genital herpes in immunocompromised Pts:
200mg 5x per day (Q4H while awake), x10 days.

Topical:
Apply Q3H x7 days

Chronic suppressive therapy for recurrent genital herpes:
200mg 3-5x per day or 400mg BID for up to 12 months

For chickenpox:
20mg/kg (max 800mg), QID x5 days

For shingles:
800mg Q4H 5x per day x7-10 days. Begin w/in 72 hours.

Levofloxacin (Levaquin)

For Bacterial exacerbation of chronic bronchitis:

500mg Q24H x7

(Also LOTS of other various dosages for other ailments like pneumonia, prostatitis, sinusitis, UTI, etc.)

Ciprofloxacin HCl (Cipro)

For UTI:
250-500mg Q12H (IR) or 500-1000mg (XR) QD

For bacterial diarrhea (E. coli, etc.):
500mg Q12H

(Also other dosages for other infections (Typhoid fever, gonnorhea, cystitis, respiratory/skin/bone/joint infections, anthrax, etc.)

Metronidazole (Flagyl)

For trichomoniasis:

250-500mg TID x7 days

(Also other dosages for amebiasis, bacterial vaginosis, anaerobic bacterial infections, surgical prophylaxis in colorectal surgery, etc.)

Fluticasone/Salmeterol (Advair)

For long-term maintenance of asthma:

One diskus inhalation or Two HFA Inhalations

For COPD:

One inhalation of 250/50 BID (AM & PM)

Albuerol Sulfate [oral] (Proventil)

For bronchospasm relief w/ obstructive airway disease:

2-4mg 3-4x per day

Quinine Sulfate (Qualaquin)

For Malaria:

2 capsules Q8H x7 days

Also used off-label for leg cramps.

Lisdexamfetamine Deimesylate (Vyvanse)

For ADHD:

Recommended starting dose: 30mg QAM. Dosing adjustments of 10-20mg at weekly intervals. Max 70mg/day.

For Binge Eating Disorder:

Starting dose: 30mg QD w/ 20mg titrations at weekly intervals to target dose of 50-70mg per day.

Methylphenidate HCl

For ADD in kids ages 6+:

Initially 5mg BID (before breakfast and lunch) w/ gradula increases of 5-10mg weekly. Max 72mg/day.

For narcolepsy in adults:

10-60mg daily in 2-3 divided doses

Amphetamine w/ Dextroamphetamine Salts (Adderall)

ADHD in kids 3-5 years old:

Start w/ 2.5mg daily, increase by 2.5mg every week until optimal.

ADHD in kids ages 5+:

Start w/ 5-10mg daily and increase by 5mg every week until optimal. XR caps can be sub'd for IR tablets.

ADHD in Adults:

20mg QD

Brimonidine Tartrate (Alphagan P)

For reduction in intraocular pressure in glaucoma or ocular HTN:

1 gtt in affected eye(s) TID, approx. Q8H.

Dorzolamide HCl with Timolol Maleate (Cosopt)

For reduction in intraocular pressure in glaucoma or ocular HTN in Pts who aren't responsive to beta-blockers:

1 gtt in affected eye(s) BID.

Hydroxychloroquine Sulfate (Plaquenil)

For malaria suppression:
400mg or 5m/kg QW. Begin 2 weeks before exposure and continue for 8 weeks after leaving area.

For malaria acute attack:
800mg, then 400mg six hours later, then 400mg QD x2 days.

For Lupus:
200-400mg 1-2x per day

For Rheumatoid Arthritis:
400-600mg Daily

Cefdinir (Omnicef)

For pneumonia:
600mg daily in two doses

For chronic bronchitis in adults:
600mg daily in one to two doses

Can also be given for sinusitis, pharyngitis/tonsilitis, skin infections, and otitis media (in kids)

Clindamycin HCl [oral] (Cleocin)

For respiratory tract infections, skin infections, genital infections, and a whole bunch of other stuff:

150mg-450mg Q6H

Should be reserved for penicillin-allergic Pts, or when penicillin isn't appropriate.

Clindamycin Phosphate [topical] (Cleocin T)

For acne vulgaris:

Apply a thin film to the affected area(s) BID

Dexmethylphenidate HCl (Focalin)

For ADHD in ages 6+:

Starting adult dose is 10mg QAM.
Starting kid dose is 5mg QAM.

Dosage adjustments of 5mg weekly up to a max of 20mg/day.