Carboplatin Calculator

Category: Other Health
- March 30, 2025
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Calculate the carboplatin dosage based on various formulas including Calvert, Cockcroft-Gault, and Jelliffe. This calculator helps determine the appropriate dose based on patient parameters.

Select Formula

Patient Information

Calvert Formula Parameters

mg/mL·min
mL/min

Advanced Options

About Carboplatin Dosing

Carboplatin is a platinum-based chemotherapy drug used to treat various types of cancer. Its dosing is typically based on the target area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) and patient kidney function, as it is primarily excreted by the kidneys.

Calvert Formula

The most widely used method for carboplatin dosing, developed by Calvert et al. in 1989.

  • Formula: Dose (mg) = Target AUC × (GFR + 25)
  • Target AUC: Typically ranges from 4-7 mg/mL·min depending on the treatment protocol
  • GFR: Glomerular Filtration Rate in mL/min
Cockcroft-Gault Formula

Used to estimate creatinine clearance (CrCl) as a substitute for GFR in the Calvert formula.

  • For males: CrCl = (140 - age) × weight / (72 × Scr)
  • For females: CrCl = 0.85 × (140 - age) × weight / (72 × Scr)
  • Where: age is in years, weight in kg, Scr is serum creatinine in mg/dL
Jelliffe Formula

An alternative method for estimating creatinine clearance adjusted for body surface area (BSA).

  • For males: CrCl = (98 - 0.8 × (age - 20)) / Scr
  • For females: CrCl = 0.9 × (98 - 0.8 × (age - 20)) / Scr
  • Then: CrCl = CrCl × BSA / 1.73
Martin Formula

A modification of the Calvert formula accounting for BSA and ideal body weight.

  • For males: CrCl = (140 - age) × IBW / (72 × Scr)
  • For females: CrCl = 0.85 × (140 - age) × IBW / (72 × Scr)
  • Where IBW (kg): For males = 50 + 2.3 × (height in inches - 60)
  • Where IBW (kg): For females = 45.5 + 2.3 × (height in inches - 60)
Important Considerations
  • The FDA recommends capping the dose calculation at a maximum GFR of 125 mL/min
  • Some institutions cap at 110 or 150 mL/min
  • Dose adjustments may be needed for elderly patients or those with comorbidities
  • Measured GFR (e.g., by 51Cr-EDTA clearance) is more accurate than estimated GFR but less commonly available
Body Surface Area (BSA) Calculation Methods
  • DuBois & DuBois: BSA (m²) = 0.007184 × (Height in cm)0.725 × (Weight in kg)0.425
  • Mosteller: BSA (m²) = √((Height in cm × Weight in kg) / 3600)
  • Haycock: BSA (m²) = 0.024265 × (Height in cm)0.3964 × (Weight in kg)0.5378

What Is the Carboplatin Calculator?

The Carboplatin Calculator is an easy-to-use tool designed to estimate the appropriate dosage of carboplatin, a chemotherapy drug widely used in cancer treatment. The dosage is determined based on a combination of patient-specific information such as age, gender, weight, height, kidney function, and selected medical formula. This helps healthcare professionals deliver safer and more effective treatments, adjusted for the patient's physiology.

Why Dosage Calculation Matters

Carboplatin is eliminated primarily through the kidneys. Using the correct dosage reduces the risk of side effects while ensuring the medication works effectively. The calculator estimates the glomerular filtration rate (GFR)—a key marker of kidney function—and uses that value to compute the drug dose.

Key Formula Used

Calvert Formula:
Dose (mg) = Target AUC × (GFR + 25)

This is the most commonly used equation in carboplatin dosing. GFR reflects how well the kidneys are filtering waste, while the constant 25 accounts for non-renal clearance.

How to Use the Carboplatin Calculator

The calculator is intuitive and flexible, offering multiple dosing formulas including Calvert, Cockcroft-Gault, Jelliffe, and Martin. Here's how to get started:

  • Select a formula: Choose the one preferred by your institution or clinician.
  • Enter patient details: Input gender, age, weight, height, and serum creatinine values.
  • Set target AUC: This is usually provided by the oncologist based on treatment protocols.
  • Optional: Enter measured GFR if already available.
  • Advanced options: Choose to view formulas, steps, or compare results across different methods.
  • Click "Calculate Dose": The tool will provide the dose, estimated GFR, and body surface area (BSA).

Understanding the Results

The calculator outputs several important pieces of information:

  • Calculated Dose (mg): Recommended carboplatin dosage for the patient.
  • Estimated GFR (mL/min): Indicator of kidney function used in the dosage calculation.
  • Body Surface Area (BSA): Used in some formulas to refine estimates for patients of different sizes.

Who Can Benefit From This Tool?

This calculator is primarily intended for healthcare professionals. However, patients researching their treatment plan can also use it to better understand how their carboplatin dose is determined. It supports safer, more individualized treatment plans by integrating:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is AUC and why does it matter?

AUC stands for "Area Under the Curve," which refers to the drug concentration over time in the blood. A higher AUC usually means higher exposure to the drug. Oncologists set target AUC values based on treatment plans.

What if I don’t know the patient’s measured GFR?

No problem. The calculator can estimate GFR using standard formulas like Cockcroft-Gault or Jelliffe, based on serum creatinine and other patient metrics.

Can I use this tool for medications other than carboplatin?

This calculator is specialized for carboplatin and uses formulas specific to its pharmacokinetics. It is not suitable for other chemotherapy agents or general drug dosing.

Is the calculator useful outside of oncology?

It’s designed specifically for oncology dosing. However, its approach to kidney function and body composition is similar to tools like a macro calculator or protein intake guide in the nutrition field, or a BAC estimation tool used in blood alcohol level assessments.

Why This Calculator Stands Out

While there are many medical calculators available—like the TDEE calculator for energy expenditure or the bra size calculator for accurate measurement—few offer the depth and flexibility of this carboplatin dosing tool. It combines:

  • Multiple medically validated formulas
  • Clear dose explanations and steps
  • Optional display of formulas and comparisons
  • Adjustments for gender, age, weight, height, and BSA

Final Thoughts

Getting the right dose of carboplatin is critical to maximizing treatment effectiveness while minimizing risk. This calculator empowers medical professionals with fast, reliable, and customized dose estimates, all based on evidence-backed methods.

Whether you're looking into kidney function tools, calculating your body surface area, or analyzing macro goals in nutrition, the principles of personalization and precision apply here as well. This tool brings that same clarity to cancer treatment dosing.