mg/kg
Medical abbreviation · Prescription
| Stands for | Milligrams per kilogram |
|---|---|
| Categories | Medical |
mg/kg stands for Milligrams per kilogram, a prescription abbreviation.
Expression of a weight-based dose, standard in pediatrics, oncology, anesthesia and for many antibiotics. Orders must specify whether the amount is per dose or per day, because mg/kg/day divided into several doses is very different from mg/kg per dose.
Example: Amoxicillin 90 mg/kg/day divided BID for acute otitis media.
Usage notes
Confusion between mg/kg/dose and mg/kg/day is a well-known cause of pediatric overdoses and underdoses. Safety guidance asks prescribers to write the calculated dose in mg alongside the weight-based dose and the weight used, and pharmacies check the dose against a recent weight in kilograms, not pounds.
Related abbreviations
More prescription abbreviations
- IU – International unit
- LD – Loading dose
- mane – Mane (in the morning)
- mcg – Microgram
- mcg/kg/min – Micrograms per kilogram per minute
- mEq – Milliequivalent
- mg/m2 – Milligrams per square meter
- mL/h – Milliliters per hour
- nocte – Nocte (at night)
- non rep – Non repetatur (do not repeat)
- NR – No refills
- NTE – Not to exceed
See all 77 prescription abbreviations →
This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.