Essential Drugs Dosage Guide

100 Essential Drugs Dosage & Formulations
Created by
© Dr. Aryan (Anish Dhakal)

Preface
This is the 22nd part of medical booklet series created by Dr. Aryan in order to
familiarize doctors and medical students about the basic doses of drugs. To access
previous 21 booklets of the series, visit www.slideshare.net/AnishDhakal4 or any
search engines
Many students remember the mechanism of actions and other details of drug very
well and regard doses as unnecessary to lessen burden in studies in medical school
In reality, it is the one of the main things that seems to matter
If you prescribe the right dose of Pantoprazole for right condition thinking it would
block cell wall synthesis, it would still work wonders!
In some cases, there might be multiple formulations and dosage of the same drug for
the same indication. You need to remember at least one of them to prescribe. Images
used are for representations. No conflict of interest declared.
If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, feel free to drop a mail at
anishdhakal718@gmail.com
Dr. Aryan has granted the right to share the booklet for fair use (teaching,
scholarship, education and research) anywhere in the world exclusively for non-
monetary purposes

Paracetamol Syrup
PCM 125mg/5mL
10-15 mg/kg/dose

Ibuprofen Suspension
Ibuprofen 100mg/5mL
4-10 mg/kg/dose

Flexon Suspension
100 mg Ibuprofen & 125 mg
paracetamol/5 mL
Ibuprofen 4-10 mg/kg/dose &
paracetamol 10-15 mg/kg/dose

Metronidazole Suspension
Metronidazole 200mg/5mL
30mg/kg/day (up to 50 mg/kg/day in
amebiasis)

Amoxicillin Suspension
Amoxicillin 125mg/5mL
40-45 mg/kg/day (standard dose)

Co-amoxiclav Suspension
Amoxicillin 200 mg + Clavulanic
acid 28.5 mg
Co-amoxiclav 228.5mg/5mL
Amoxicillin dose: 40-45 mg/kg

Aspirin
Mild to moderate Pain and Fever: 150-300 mg repeated 4-6 hourly
ACS: 150-300 mg PO (within minutes of symptoms: chew
nonenteric coated tablet). Thereafter, 75-300 mg OD.

Ibuprofen
Pain/Fever/Dysmenorrhea (prescription dosage): 400-800 mg QID
(max. 3.2 g/day)

Paracetamol
1-2 tablets (500 mg) every 4-6 hours (max. 4 g/day)
Children 6-12 years: ½-1 tablet 3 to 4 times a day

Cetirizine
Adult and Children > 6 years: Tab. 10 mg OD or 5 mg BD

Cetirizine Syrup
Cetirizine 5mg/5mL
Children >12 years: 10 mL daily (as adults)
6-11 years: 10 mL OD or 5 mL BD
2-5 years: 5 mL OD or 2.5 mL BD
1 teaspoon = 5 mL
1 tablespoon = 15 mL

Levocetirizine
> 12 years: Tab. 5 mg OD
Children 6-11 years: 2.5 mg OD
Children 6 months-5 years: 1.25 mg OD

Levocetirizine Syrup
2.5mg/5mL
Children 6-11 years: 5 mL OD
Children 6 months-5 years: 2.5
mL OD

Metronidazole
Amoebiasis: 400-800 mg TDS for 5 to 10 days
Anaerobic bacterial infection: 800 mg initially then 400 mg TDS for 7 days
With Diloxanide Furoate: Metronidazole 400 mg + Diloxanide Furoate 500 mg
for 7 to 10 days
As a part of triple therapy:
1) Omeprazole 20 mg BD
2) Clarithromycin 500 mg BD
3) Metronidazole 400 mg BD/Amoxicillin 1 g BD for 2 weeks
As a part of cervicitis treatment:
1. Cefixime 400 mg PO single dose
2. Azithromycin 1 g PO single dose
3. Metronidazole 400 mg BD for 7 days

Tinidazole
Amoebiasis: 2g/day PO for 3 days
Bacterial vaginosis: 2g OD for 2 days or 1 g OD for 5 days
Giardiasis/Trichomoniasis: 2 g single dose

Amoxicillin
Susceptible infections: Cap. 250-500 mg TDS
Amoxicillin + Clavulanic Acid: 375 mg Tablet TDS or 625 mg Tablet
TDS

Ciprofloxacin Eye/Ear drops
Ciprofloxacin 0.3% E/E drops
Ear drops:
 Children > 1 year: 3 drops BD
 Adults: 4 drops BD
 More frequent for severe (2-3 drops every 2-
3 hours
 For at least 7 days
Conjunctivitis: 1-2 drops Every 2 waking
hours for 2 days, Every four waking hours
for next 5 days

Ciprofloxacin
UTI:
 Acute uncomplicated UTI: Tab. 250 mg BD for 3 days, Mild/Moderate: 250
mg BD for 7 to 14 days, Severe: 500 mg BD for 7 to 14 days
LRTI:
 Mild/Moderate: Tab. 500 mg BD for 7 to 14 days, Severe LRTI: 750 mg BD
for 7-14 days
Acute Sinusitis: Tab. 500 mg BD for 10 days
Skin Infection:
 Mild moderate skin infection: Tab. 500 mg BD for 7 to 14 days, Severe
infection: 750 mg BD for 7 to 14 days

Chloramphenicol
Serious infection by susceptible strains: Capsule 50 mg/kg/day in 4
divided doses

Co-trimoxazole
Dosage guide for Infections: 2 Tablets BD (Sulphamethoxazole: 400
mg + Trimethoprim: 80 mg) OR 1 DS Tablet BD (Sulphamethoxazole:
800 mg + Trimethoprim: 160 mg)
Children>2months: 8 mg TMP/kg/day PO BD

Doxycycline
Adults: 200 mg OD or 100 BD on first day. Thereafter, 100 mg OD
Uncomplicated Gonococcal Infection: Cap. 100 mg BD for 7 days

Azithromycin
Community Acquired Pneumonia/AOM/Pharyngitis/Tonsillitis: 500
mg OD on first day. Thereafter 250 mg OD for 4 days.
Adult Usual PO dose for Respiratory tract infections, Soft tissue and
skin infections: Tab. 500 mg for 3 days
Chancroid Ulcer: 1 g single dose
Acute sinusitis: Tab. 500 mg OD for 3 days

Azithromycin Suspension
200mg/5mL
AOM: 10 mg/kg on first day. Thereafter 5
mg/kg/day for next 4 days OR 10 mg/kg O for
3 days
CAP in Children ≥6 months: 10 mg/kg on first
day. Thereafter 5 mg/kg/day for next 4 days
Acute sinusitis: 10 mg/kg OD for 3 days
Pharyngitis/Tonsillitis: 12 mg/kg OD for 5
days

Cloxacillin
Adult: Capsule 250-500 mg QID
Indicated for Staphylococcus aureus infections

Cloxacillin Suspension
125mg/mL
Children <40 kg: 12.5-25 mg/kg/day
divided QID (Severe infection: 50-100
mg/kg/day)
Children ≥40 kg: 125-500 mg QID

Fluconazole Gel
Fluconazole Gel 0.5%
2-3 times/day for 1-2 weeks

Clotrimazole Cream
Clotrimazole 1% Cream
Superficial Dermatologic Infection:
Local application BD for 7
consecutive days
Tinea pedis and Dermatomycoses: 4
weeks
Onychomycosis: 6 months

Fluconazole
Vaginal Candidiasis:
 Uncomplicated Vaginal Candidiasis: 150 mg single dose
 Complicated: 150 mg 72 hourly for 3 doses
Superficial Cutaneous Candidiasis: 50 mg/day (up to 100 mg/day)
Dermatophytosis, Pityriasis versicolor: 50 mg/day for up to 6 weeks

Acyclovir
Acyclovir 5% ointment
Local Application 5-6 times/day
for 5-10 days

Acyclovir
Genital Herpes:
 200 mg PO 4 hourly while awake (5 times daily) for 10 days or 400
mg PO TDS for 7-10 days
 Intermittent treatment for recurrence: 200 mg PO 4 hourly (q4hr)
while awake (5 times daily)
Herpes Zoster (Shingles):
 800 mg PO 4 hourly (q4hr) while awake (5 times daily) for 7-10 days

Folic Acid
Folate deficient megaloblastic anemia: 5 mg/day for 4 months

Ferrous Sulphate
Iron deficiency anemia: 100-200 mg elemental iron BD
Prophylaxis: 60 mg elemental iron OD
The equivalent of 60 mg of elemental iron is 300 mg ferrous
sulfate heptahydrate, 180 mg ferrous fumarate or 500 mg of
ferrous gluconate

Hydrochlorothiazide
Hypertension: 12.5 to 50 mg OD
Oedema: 25-100 mg OD or BD

Atenolol
Hypertension: 25-50 mg OD (up to 100 mg/day)
Angina: 50 mg/day (100 mg/day after a week)
Post MI: 100 mg OD or 50 mg BD for 6 to 9 days after infarction

Albendazole
Neurocysticercosis:
 <60 kg: 15 mg/kg/day divided BID PO x 8-30 days (max. 800 mg/day)
 >60 kg: 400 mg PO BD x 8-30 days
Ancyclostoma, Ascariasis, Hookworm, Trichostrongylus:
 400 mg PO once

Albendazole Suspension
Albendazole 400mg/10mL
Children: 15 mg/kg/day (max. 800 mg/day) BD

Calamine Lotion
Calamine lotion 15%, 30 mL
Local application 3 to 4 times a day

Aluminum Hydroxide + Magnesium
Hydroxide
1-2 Tab. (250 mg/250 mg) chewed TDS or as needed during
dyspepsia for 2 weeks

Aluminum Hydroxide + Magnesium
Hydroxide
Aluminum hydroxide Magnesium
hydroxide suspension (200 mg+200 mg/5
mL)
10-20 mL up to 4 times a day

Ranitidine
Tab. 150 mg PO BD
GERD: Tab. 300 mg at bedtime or 150 mg BD
NSAID induced ulcer prophylaxis: 150 mg BD

Buscopan (Hyoscine butylbromide)
GI spasm, Genito-urinary spasm: 20 mg QID
Symptomatic relief of IBS: 10 mg TDS (may increase up to 20 mg
QID)
Children 6-12 years: 10 mg TDS

Clove Oil
Local application with cotton bud
in the tooth cavity as required

Metoclopramide
Diabetic Gastric Stasis: 10 mg QID for 2 to 8 weeks
GERD: 10-15 mg PO QID before meals and at bedtime

Promethazine
Allergic conditions: 25 mg OD HS
Nausea & Vomiting: 25 mg 4 to 6 hourly SOS
Motion sickness: 25 mg 30-60 minutes before travel & 8-12 hourly.
On succeeding days, 25 mg every morning and evening BD
Motion sickness in children:
 5-10 years: 10 mg
 2-5 years: 5 mg

Whitfield’s Ointment
Benzoic acid 6% +
Salicylic acid 3%
Local application 2 to 3
times a day

Furosemide
Hypertension: 20-80 mg/day
Oedema: 20-80 mg OD (may increase up to 20-40 mg TDS or QID)

Amlodipine
Stable angina, HTN, Prinzmetal’s angina: 5 mg OD (may increase to
10 mg OD)

Salbutamol
Tab. 2-4 mg TDS or QID
Nebulizer:
 Adults and children >4 years: 2.5-5 mg up to 4 times a day SOS,
Children 18 months to 4 years: 2.5 mg up to 4 times a day, Children
<18 months: 1.25-2.5 mg up to 4 times a day
Aerosol MDI: 180 mcg (2 puffs) inhaled 4 to 6 hourly (max. 12
inhalations/day)

Salbutamol Syrup
2mg/5mL
Children over 12 years: Syrup. 10
mL or Tablet dosing as adults (2-4
mg TDS or QID)
Children 6 to 12 years: Syrup. 5 mL
TDS or QID
Children 2 to 6 years: Syrup. 2.5
mL TDS or QID

Aminophylline
16 mg/kg/day or 400 mg/day whichever is less TDS or QID

Prednisolone
Allergic & Inflammatory conditions: 5-60 mg/day in 2 to 4 divided doses,
Maintenance: 2.5-15 mg daily
RA: 5-7.5 mg QID
AE COPD: 30-40 mg/day for 10-14 days
Inflammation in children: 0.1-2 mg/kg/day OD or 6 to 12 hourly
Asthma exacerbation in children: 1-2 mg/kg/day OD or BD for 3-5 days
Nephrotic syndrome:
 First 4 weeks: 60 mg/m2/day or 2 mg/kg/day TDS until urine protein free for 3
consecutive days (max. 28 days & max. daily dose 80 mg)
 Next 4 weeks: 40 mg/m2/day or 1-1.5 mg/kg/day alternate days
 Maintenance for frequent relapses: 0.5-1 mg/kg/day alternate days for 3-6
months

Phenobarbitone
Adults GTCS, Partial Seizures: 60-180 mg/day or 1-3 mg/kg/day in 1
to 2 divided doses initially
Children Seizures: 1 to 6 mg/kg/day

Chlorpromazine
Psychosis: Tab. 25 mg TDS, Maintenance: 25-100 mg TDS
Nausea & Vomiting: 10-25 mg 4 to 6 hourly SOS
Intractable Hiccups: 25-50 mg PO TDS or QID

Amitriptyline
Depression: 25-50 mg HS initially (may increase by 25 mg every 5-7
days to 100-200 mg/day, max. 300 mg/day in severe cases)
Neuropathic pain: 10-25 mg HS (up to 75 mg/day)
Migraine prophylaxis: 10 mg/day HS, Maintenance 50-75 mg/day

Pregabalin
Neuropathic pain/Fibromyalgia: 150 mg/day BD or TDS (may
increase up to 300 mg/day after 3-7 days)
Anxiety: 150 mg/day (may increase in weekly 150 mg increments to
max. 600 mg/day)
Post herpetic neuralgia: 150-300 mg/day in divide doses (max. 600
mg /day)

Metformin
Initial dose: Tab. 500 mg BD or Tab. 800 mg OD with meals 9may be
increase by 500 mg every week or 850 mg every 2 weeks to 2g/day)
For patients going from 500 mg BD to 850 mg BD after 2 weeks, up to
2550 mg per day can be given if required (if >2g/day give TDS with
meals)
PCOS: 500 mg OD for 1 week, then 500 mg BD for 1 weeks.
Thereafter 1500-1700 mg/day BD or TDS

Digoxin
AF:
 Loading dose in AF: 10-15 mcg/kg (50% at first then each 25% 6-8
hourly)
 Maintenance dose: 0.125-0.5 mg/day (may increase every 2 weeks
with toxicity monitoring)
Heart Failure: 0.125-0.25 mg/day

Silver Sulphadiazine
Local application onto
affected area with 3 to 5 mm
depth every 12 hours
Reapplied if removed by any
reasons

Gentian Violet
Local application 1 to 3 times/day

Allopurinol
Gout:
 Mild: 100 mg/day PO initially, increased weekly to 200-300 mg/day
 Moderate to severe: 100 mg/day PO initially; increased weekly to
400-600 mg/day

Tetracycline
Susceptible infections: Capsule 250 or 500 mg QID
Gonorrhea: 500 mg QID for 7 days

Carbamazepine
Epilepsy: Tab. 200 mg BD (may increase by 200 mg every week until
response)
Trigeminal neuralgia: 400-800 mg/day in divided doses
Postherpetic neuralgia: 100-200 mg OD
Restless leg syndrome: 100-600 mg HS for 5 weeks

Acetazolamide
Acute altitude sickness: 500-1000 mg/day BD or TDS (24-48 hours
before ascent and continued for 48 hours or longer at altitude)

Oxymetazoline Nasal Drops
Adults & Children >6 years: 2-3 drops/spray
in each nostril BD for 3-5 days
Children <6 years: 2-3 drops BD for 3-5 days

Levothyroxine
1.7 mcg/kg or 50-100 mcg/day initially (may increase up to 100-200
mcg/day in 12.5-25 mcg increments every 4 to 6 weeks)

Enalapril
HTN: 5 mg OD HS initially, Maintenance dose: 10-20 mg OD (max.
40 mg/day)
CHF: 2.5 mg/day OD initial, Maintenance dose: 20 mg OD (max.
40/day BD)

Atorvastatin
10 mg or 20 mg OD initial (may be adjusted in 2-4 weeks as response)
Maximum 80 mg/day

Fluoxetine
Depression: 20 mg/day (may increase after several weeks by 20
mg/day, max. 80 mg/day). 90 mg weekly can also be given.
OCD: 20 mg/day (may increase by 20 mg/day up to 60 mg/day)
Bulimia nervosa: 60 mg/day

Local application TDS for up to
10 days
Mupirocin Ointment

Valproic acid
600 mg/day BD initial, may increase by 200 mg/day at 3-days
intervals to max. 2.5 g/day. Usual maintenance dose: 1-2 g/day
Children: 10-15 mg/kg/day PO initially, may increase by 5-10
mg/kg/day at weekly intervals up to 60 mg/kg/day
Prophylaxis for migraine: 300 mg BD

Trihexyphenidyl
Parkinsonism: 1 mg/day initial, may increase in 2 mg increments to
6 to 10 mg/day in TDS or QID
Drug induced extrapyramidal symptoms: 1 mg initial, may increase
up to 5 to 15 mg TDS or QID

Thiamine
Mild deficiency (Adults & Children > 12 years): 50-100 mg OD
Severe deficiency: 200-300 mg in divided doses

Diclofenac
Adults: 50-150 mg/day in divided doses with or after food
Children: 1-3 mg/kg in divided doses

DFO Gel
Local application 3 to 4 times a
day

Aceclofenac
Tab. Aceclofenac 100 mg BD with or after food

Chlorpheniramine
Adult: 4 mg every 4 to 6 hourly
Children:
 6-12 years: 2 mg every 4 to 6 hourly
 2-5 years: 1 mg every 4 to 6 hourly
 1-2 years: 1 mg BD

Indomethacin
Acute gouty arthritis: 50 mg TDS for 3-5 days
Inflammatory/Rheumatoid disorders: 25-50 mg BD or TDS (max. 200
mg/day)

Cefixime
Adults & Children >6 years: 200 or 400 mg/day single dose or in
divided doses
Otitis media/ Pharyngitis/Tonsillitis/Uncomplicated UTI: 400 mg/day
single dose or BD

Cefixime Suspension
100mg/5mL
Acute bronchitis/Otitis media/
Pharyngitis/Tonsillitis/Uncomplica
ted UTI:
 6 months-12 years, ≤ 45 kg: 8
mg/kg/day in single or 2 divided
doses
 >12 years, >45 kg: 400 mg/day
single dose or in 2 divided doses
BD

Neomycin Ointment
Local application sparingly
2 to 3 times a day (max. 5
days for children)

Vitamin B Complex
Usually: 1 Tab. Vitamin B-
complex Tablet OD
Syrup: 10-15 mL/day

GBHC Lotion
Local application of entire bottle
below neck

Alprazolam
Adults (>18 years)
 Anxiety: 0.25-0.5 mg TDS (up to 3-4 mg/day if needed)
 Panic attacks: 0.5 mg TDS (may increase every 3-4 days by ≤1 mg/day)

Pantoprazole
40 mg OD before food
Duration:
 Duodenal Ulcer: 2-4 weeks
 Benign gastric ulceration: 4-8 weeks
 GERD: 4-8 weeks

Flexon
Adults: 1 Tab. (Ibuprofen 400 mg + Paracetamol 500 mg) TDS or QID
Children: 1 Tab. (Ibuprofen 100 mg + Paracetamol 125 mg) TDS or
SOS

Methylcobalamin
Usual dose: 500 mcg tablet three times a day (according to age an
severity of symptoms)

Calcium Carbonate
Calcium Supplementation: 1 to 1.2 g/day divided 6-12 hourly with
meals
Hyperacidity: Chew Tablet 500 mg 2-4 Tablets (max. 15 tablets/day)

Calcium Carbonate+Vitamin D3
Calcium Carbonate (500 mg) +
Vitamin D3 (250 IU)
1 Tab. PO BD

TusQ-X Syrup
Guaifenesin 50 mg + Terbutaline 1.25 mg
+ Ambroxol 15 mg
Adults and Children >12 years: 10 mL
TDS
Children 6-12 years: 5 mL TDS
Children 2-6 years: 2.5 mL TDS

TusQ-DX Syrup
Dextromethorphan 15 mg + Chlorpheniramine 2
mg + Phenylephrine 5 mg
Adults: 5-10 mL TDS or QID
Children: 2.5 mL to 5 mL TDS

Ondansetron
Nausea/Vomiting in AGE:
 Adults: 8 mg PO TDS
 Children: 0.15 mg/kg
Nausea/Vomiting in pregnancy: 8 mg BD or TDS

Tranexamic Acid
Menorrhagia: 2 Tablets (1 g) TDS for up to 4 days (max. 4 g)
Epistaxis: 2 Tablets (1 g) TDS for 7 days

Itraconazole
Pityriasis versicolor: 200 mg/day for 7 days
Oropharyngeal candidiasis: 100 mg/day for 15 days
Vulvovaginal candidiasis: Capsule 200 mg twice daily for 1 day
Tinea corporis, Tinea cruris: 100 mg/day for 15 days
Tinea pedis, Tinea mannum: 100 mg/day for 30 days
Fungal nail infections: 200 mg/day for 3 months
Children: 5 mg/kg/day for superficial fungal infection. 10 mg/kg/day
for systemic fungal infections

Glimepiride
1-2 mg/day initially (may increase by 1-2 mg at 1-2 weeks interval)
Maintenance dose: 4 mg/day

Oroheal Gel
Triamcinolone
acetonide 0.1%
Local Application BD or
TDS

Fexofenadine
Symptoms of Allergic Rhinitis: 120 mg OD or 60 mg BD
Urticaria: 180 mg OD

Fexofenadine
30mg/5mL
Children 2-11 years: 30 mg (5 mL)
BD
Children 6 months- 2 years: 15
mg (2.5 mL) BD

Cefpodoxime
Community acquired pneumonia/Acute Bronchitis/Acute maxillary
sinusitis: 200 mg BD for 10 days (CAP: 200 mg BD for 14 days)
Uncomplicated UTI: 100 mg BD for 5-7 days (In complicated: 200 mg
BD)
Pharyngitis/Tonsillitis: 100 mg BD for 5-10 days
Skin/Skin Structures Infection: 400 mg BD for 7-14 days
Uncomplicated gonorrhea: 200 mg single dose

Pepsa
Inflammation & oedema: 5-10 mg TDS

Tamsulosin
Tab. Tamsulosin 0.4 mg OD (may increase to 0.8 mg OD if no
response after 2-4 weeks)
BPH: Can be co-administered with Tab. Finasteride 5 mg OD

Some places you can find Dr. Aryan at times
Email: anishdhakal718@gmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/draryananishdhakal
Medium: https://medium.com/@anishdhakal718
Slideshare: https://www.slideshare.net/AnishDhakal4
Quora: https://www.quora.com/profile/Dr-Aryan-Anish-Dhakal
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08B59R7CM/

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