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Carboplatin Calculator

Table of contents

Carboplatin dose - Calvert formulaWhat is the maximum recommended carboplatin dose?Carboplatin AUC – What is AUC?How to use the carboplatin calculator? (carbo calculator)ReferencesFAQs

This carboplatin calculator (carboplatin dose calculator) estimates your total carboplatin dose (in mg) using the Calvert formula). The evaluations are based on a person's creatinine clearance calculations (found using the Cockcroft - Gault equation) and the targeted carboplatin AUC value.

We try our best to make our Omni Calculators as precise and reliable as possible. However, this tool can never replace professional medical advice.

Carboplatin dose - Calvert formula

Carboplatin is a chemotherapy medication used to treat some forms of cancer (e.g., lung, ovarian, or brain cancer). It is administered via injection into a vein. After 24 hours, 70% of this drug is excreted unchanged in the urine. Therefore, the dose depends on the function of the kidneys. We use the following Calvert formula to calculate kidney function:

Carboplatin dose (mg) = AUC × (GFR + 25)

where:

  • AUC – the area under the curve for carboplatin; and

  • GRF – Glomerular Filtration Rate (see: GFR calculator).

❗ Remember about the maximum recommended carboplatin dose. Check the section below for more details and a proper equation.

Carboplatin AUC – What is AUC?

The area under the curve (AUC) is a term that is frequently used in pharmacokinetics. It describes the variation of a drug's concentration in the blood's plasma as a function of time. In practice, the trapezoidal rule is used to estimate AUC, and the drug's concentration is measured at certain discrete points in time.

AUC describes the variation of a drug concentration in blood plasma as a function of time.

Target carboplatin AUC values of 5 and 7 mg/ml/min are recommended.

This carboplatin AUC calculator uses the above method to find your carboplatin dose.

How to use the carboplatin calculator? (carbo calculator)

Our carboplatin calculator computes the carboplatin dose in two steps:

  1. Calculating GFR using the Cockcroft-Gault equation:

    MEN:

    GFR = ((140 - A) × W / (72 × Cr)

    WOMEN:

    GFR = 0.85 × GFR formula for men

    where:

    • GRF – glomerular filtration rate;

    • A – age (years);

    • W – weight (kg); and

    • Cr – serum creatinine (mg/dL).

Let's have a look at the example below:

We want to find the GFR of a 50-year-old man who weighs 78 kilograms and has a serum creatinine level of 1.2 mg/dL.

GFR = ((140 - 50) × 78 / (72 × 1.2)

GFR = (90 × 78) / (72 × 1.2)

GFR = (90 × 78) / (72 × 1.2)

GFR = 7020 / 86.4

GFR = 81.25 ml/min

  1. Once we have found GFR, we can use the Calvert formula (described above) to calculate the optimal carboplatin dose for the patient.

Example (continued):

Knowing the GFR of a patient and using the target AUC value of 7 mg/ml/min, we can calculate carboplatin dose for the patient.

Carboplatin dose (mg) = AUC × (GFR + 25)

Carboplatin dose (mg) = 7 × (81.25 + 25)

Carboplatin dose (mg) = 7 × 106.25

Carboplatin dose (mg) = 743.8

Our carbo calculator allows you to make all of the above calculations in seconds!

Additional considerations:

  • If your patient is overweight or obese (calculated BMI ≥ 25 kg/m²), consider using adjusting body weight for your carboplatin dose calculator.

    adjusted BW [kg] = (IBW) + 0.4 × (CBW – IBW)

    where IBW stands for ideal body weight, and CBW stands for current weight.

  • If your patient has low serum creatinine levels, consider using a minimum creatinine level of 0.7 mg/dL to avoid an overestimation of GFR.

  • Consider using EDTA or 24-hour urine to measure creatinine clearance (not a mathematical equation) when dosing at an AUC > 6 or when using an uncapped creatinine clearance.

References

  • Calvert AH. et al. Carboplatin dosage: prospective evaluation of a simple formula based on renal function. J Clin Oncol. 1989

  • Hemoglobin E and glucose-6-phosphate Deficiency in the Khmer Air Force (Cambodia)

  • NCCN Chemotherapy Order Templates

  • Cockcroft DW. Prediction of creatinine clearance from serum creatinine. Nephron. 1976

FAQs

How do I calculate carboplatin dose?

To calculate carboplatin dose according to the Calvert formula, you can follow these steps:

  1. Take the glomerular filtration rate (GRF) value and add 25.
  2. Multiply the value calculated in Step 1 by the area under the curve (AUC) for carboplatin.
  3. That's all! You have now determined the carboplatin dose.

What is the target AUC for carboplatin?

The target AUC (the area under the curve) for carboplatin varies depending on the particular chemotherapy regimen and the medical condition for which the drug is administered. Utilizing an AUC range between 5 and 7 mg/ml/min is common.

How do I calculate the carboplatin dose if the target AUC is 5?

To calculate the carboplatin dose, assuming a GFR value of 100 ml/min, you can follow these straightforward steps:

  1. Take the GRF value, in this case 100, and add 25.
  2. Take the number calculated in Step 1 and multiply it by the AUC value, in this case, 5 mg/ml/min.
  3. That's all; you have calculated the carboplatin dose, which is 625 mg.

Why is Calvert formula used for carboplatin?

One of the reasons the Calvert formula is used for carboplatin dosing is because it incorporates the glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Since the primary route of carboplatin elimination is renal excretion, it's important to consider patients with different levels of kidney function.

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