Introduction

To increase the safety of the patient during the administration of local anesthetics and vasoconstrictors, the dental hygienist must always administer the smallest clinically effective dose. This is especially critical when administering anesthetics and vasoconstrictors to the medically compromised patient. Each cartridge of solution may contain either one drug (the anesthetic) or two drugs (the anesthetic and vasoconstrictor, including a preservative). The maximum recommended dose (MRD) of the solution that contains both the anesthetic and vasoconstrictor is dependent upon which of the two drugs reaches its MRD first. The drug that limits the total amount of volume delivered is referred to as the limiting drug. (See Box 8-1.)

All drugs have maximum dose levels, including local anesthetics and vasoconstrictors, which are determined by the manufacturer based on results from animal and human studies. These doses can be found in the product inserts. The maximum doses determined by the manufacturer have been reviewed by the Council on Dental Therapeutics of the American Dental Association and the United States Pharmacopeial (USP) Convention.1,2 Dosage guidelines for local anesthetics and vasoconstrictors are also offered by recognized experts in the field, such as Malamed³, and are usually more conservative doses than those recommended by the ADA council, the USP, or the manufacturer.³ The dental hygienist must decide which maximum dose is the appropriate level based on the treatment to be delivered, and the health status of the patient. The information presented in this chapter assists the dental hygienist in determining the appropriate dosage to be administered.

Maximum Recommended Doses of Local Anesthetics

The MRD for a local anesthetic is defined as the highest amount of an anesthetic drug that can be safely administered without complication to a patient while maintaining its efficacy. MRDs should also be adjusted to consider the patient’s overall health and any mitigating medical factors that could hamper the patient’s recovery. These amounts are determined based on maximum dosage for each appointment. The dosage calculation is based on the patient’s weight, and can be calculated based on milligrams per pound (mg/lb) or milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg). As discussed previously, each practitioner should determine which recommendation to follow. This author recommends, and will follow, the more conservative guidelines³. Table 8-1 provides the MRD per appointment for each local anesthetic recommended in this text.

Calculation of Maximum Recommended Dose for Local Anesthetics

All MRDs per appointment are calculated first based on milligrams (See Box 8-2 for dosing facts). Information needed to complete the MRD calculation is:

BOX 8-2   Dosing Facts for Anesthetic Drugs

1 cartridge = 1.8 mL of solution

Some cartridges are marketed as a minimum of 1.7 mL of solution. In these cases 1.8 mL will be used in all formulas.

1 cc = 1 mL

1.8 cc = 1.8 mL

1 kilogram (kg) = 2.2 pounds (lb)

1 g = 1000 mg

2% solution = 2 g/100 mL so 2% = 2000 mg/100 mL or 20 mg/1 mL

3% solution = 3 g/100 mL so 3% = 3000 mg/100 mL or 30 mg/1 mL

4% solution = 4 g/100 mL so 4% = 4000 mg/100 mL or 40 mg/1 mL

0.5% solution = 0.5 g/100 mL so 0.5% = 500 mg/100 mL or 5 mg/1 mL

1. Patient’s weight

2. The drug concentration expressed as a percentage, 0.5%, 2%, 3%, or 4%

3. Amount of local anesthetic in a standard cartridge

4. The maximum recommended dose for the selected anesthetic based upon milligrams per pound or mg per kilogram. (See Table 8-1.)

For clinical practicality, this amount can then be converted to maximum number of cartridges per appointment and maximum number of milliliters per appointment. The following are steps for calculating MRDs (Box 8-3).

BOX 8-3   Steps for Calculating Maximum Recommended Dose in mg, Number of Cartridges and mL

Step 1: Obtain necessary patient information

Step 2: Take the percentage of solution and multiply by 10.

Take the answer and multiply by 1.8 = mg of anesthetic per cartridge.

Step 3: Convert pounds to kilograms if using this unit of measurement lb ÷ 2.2 = kg.

Multiply pounds by mg/lb or kilograms by mg/kg (memorize Table 8-1). This number may be different for each anesthetic and gives the MRD in mg.

Step 4: Divide the MRD (step 3) by the number of mg of anesthetic per cartridge (step 2) = maximum number of cartridges.

Step 5 (Optional): Multiply maximum number of cartridges (step 4) by 1.8 (mL in one cartridge) = maximum number of milliliters.

(This unit of measurement is not always needed.)

Step 1: Obtain necessary patient information

The dental hygienist must first obtain the necessary patient information before beginning the drug calculation. The selection of the anesthetic drug that will be administered will be determined by the treatment to be rendered and the patient’s medical history (see Chapter 7). Once the drug is determined, the dental hygienist must obtain the patient’s weight to determine the local anesthetic calculation.

Step 2: Calculate milligrams (mg) of selected anesthetic in one cartridge

The number of milligrams of anesthetic solution in one cartridge is determined by the percentage of local anesthetic per milliliter of solution. Most standard local anesthetic cartridges are designed to contain 1.8 mL of solution, some manufacturers label their cartridges as containing a minimum of 1.7 mL of solution (See Box 8-4.)

BOX 8-4   Volume of Anesthetic Per Cartridge

Most standard local anesthetic cartridges distributed in North America are designed to contain 1.8 mL of solution, and drug calculations are based upon this amount. Some manufacturers market their anesthetics as 1.7 mL of solution. This variation is in compliance with the FDA regulations stating that manufacturers must label their anesthetics with a guaranteed amount of solution. Since local anesthetic solutions are filled on by a machine on a conveyor belt there will be slight solution variations of +/− 0.1. Therefore, some manufacturers will guarantee and label their anesthetics with a minimum of 1.7 mL of solution. This will not alter the calculation formula of an anesthetic labeled as 1.7 mL and will provide a margin of safety if 1.8 mL of solution is actually in the cartridge. All drug calculations in this chapter will be based upon 1.8 mL of solution in one cartridge of anesthetic.

Some regional local anesthesia board examinations are currently requiring candidates to calculate drug doses based upon the labeled amount of solution: 1.7 mL or 1.8 mL depending on the manufacturer. Licensure candidates must be prepared to alter the calculation formulas with the specified amount of solution identified on the examination. Therefore a special appendix has been included with this chapter that will provide calculation information and dosage tables to assist licensure candidates who will be taking these examinations. (See Appendix 8-2.)

This small variance will not alter the calculation formula. Therefore, 1.8 mL will be used in all dosing formulas even for cartridges labeled as containing 1.7 mL. Some regional local anesthesia board examinations are currently requiring the candidate to calculate drug doses based on both 1.7 mL and 1.8 mL. A special appendix has been included at the end of this chapter to assist licensure candidates who will be taking these examinations. (See Appendix 8-2 and Box 8-4.)

All anesthetics are labeled with a percentage concentration. A 100% local anesthetic solution contains 1 g (1000 mg) of anesthetic per milliliter of solution, a 10% local anesthetic solution contains 0.1 g (100 mg) of anesthetic per milliliter of solution, and 1% local anesthetic solution contains 0.01 g (10 mg) of local anesthetic per milliliter of solution. You can therefore calculate the number of milligrams of local anesthetic per milliliter by multiplying the percent concentration of local anesthetic agent by 10 mg. A 2% lidocaine solution contains 2 × 10 mg/mL = 20 mg/mL of lidocaine and a 3% mepivacaine solution contains 3 × 10 mg/mL = 30 mg/mL of mepivacaine. Because there is 1.8 mL of solution in one cartridge, the dental hygienist should multiply the number of milligrams in 1 mL by 1.8. to get the maximum mg of the selected anesthetic per cartridge.

< ?xml:namespace prefix = "mml" />2% lidocaine 2×10 mg/mL=20 mg/mL×1.8 mL per cartridge=36 mg

Table 8-2 lists the local anesthetic concentrations in percentage of solution, mg/mL, and total number of milligrams per cartridge.

TABLE 8-2

Calculation of mg per Cartridge for Varying Anesthetic Concentrations

LOCAL ANESTHETIC CONCENTRATION (%)	NUMBER OF mg/mL	MULTIPLY BY mg IN ONE CARTRIDGE OF ANESTHETIC	NUMBER OF mg/CARTRIDGE
2%	20	1.8	36
3%	30	1.8	54
4%	40	1.8	72
0.5%	5	1.8	9

Step 3: Calculate patient’s MRD of anesthetic in mg

The patient’s MRD is the dose in mg that can be delivered to a patient in one appointment. For most dental hygiene procedures requiring anesthesia, this dose will most likely never be reached. The dosage calculation for the MRD is based on the patient’s weight, and can be calculated based on maximum milligrams per pound (mg/lb) or maximum milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg) (see Table 8-1). To calculate the number of milligrams the patient can receive of the chosen anesthetic, multiply the patient’s weight (lbs or kgs) by the MRD (mg/lb or mg/kg) listed in Table 8-1. (See Box 8-5 for dosage calculation example.) The absolute MRD is the absolute maximum dose that any patient can receive per appointment, regardless of their weight. For example, a 200-lb patient can receive only 300 mg of lidocaine 2% even though the calculated number based upon his weight is higher. These MRDs are typically based on healthy adult patients weighing 150 pounds, with only a few exceptions. For lidocaine and mepivacaine the MRD per appointment is 300 mg, and any patient weighing more than 150 pounds should receive no more than 300 mg. of either of these drugs. (Table 8-1 lists MRDs for each local anesthetic drug.)

BOX 8-5   Dosage Calculation of MRD for Lidocaine 2% for a 120 Pound Patient

MRD can be calculated based on mg/lb or mg/kg as listed on table 8-1

To calculate milligrams of drug per unit of body weight, milligrams per pound (mg/lb)

120 lb×2 (mg/lb)=240 mg (MRD)

To calculate milligrams of drug per unit of body weight, milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg)

To convert pounds to kilograms divide the pounds by 2.2.

120÷2.2=54.5 kg×4.4 (mg/kg)=240 mg (MRD)

Step 4: Convert MRD of anesthetic to cartridges

Because local anesthetic solutions are administered in single-use cartridges, the dental hygienist must convert the MRD in milligrams (described in step 3) to the maximum number of cartridges to make this clinically practical. This is accomplished by dividing the MRD in milligrams (step 3) by the number of milligrams per cartridge of anesthetic (step 2). (See Box 8-6 for dosage calculation example).

BOX 8-6   Dosage Calculation of Maximum Number of Cartridges for Lidocaine 2% for a 120 Pound Patient

2% = 36 mg per cartridge (see Table 8-2 and Box 8-2)

MRD = 240 mg (see Box 8-5)

Divide MRD (240 mg) by number of mg per cartridge (36 mg): 240/36 = 6.6 cartridges

Step 5 (Optional): Convert maximum cartridges of anesthetic to milliliters

In one cartridge of solution there is 1.8 mL. To convert the maximum number of cartridges to maximum number of milliliters, multiply the number of cartridges by 1.8. (See Box 8-7 for dosage calculation example.) This step is optional and only necessary if the clinician would like to know the maximum number of mL.

BOX 8-7   Dosage Calculation of Maximum Number of Milliliters for Lidocaine 2% for a 120 Pound Patient

Calculating this dose is optional and only needed if maximum mL is required.

2% = 36 mg per cartridge (see Table 8-2 and Box 8-2)

MRD = 240 mg (see Box 8-5)

Maximum cartridges = 6.6 cartridges (see Box 8-6)

Multiply number of cartridges (6.6) by 1.8 mL of solution in one cartridge: 6.6 × 1.8 = 11.8 mL

Calculating Milligrams of anesthetic Administered

To calculate the milligrams of anesthetic administered, multiply the number of cartridges administered by the number of milligrams of anesthetic in each cartridge. If the dental hygienist administered two cartridges of a 3% drug (mepivacaine):

2 (cartridges)×54 mg/cartridge(see Table 8–2)=108 mg of 3% mepivacaine was administered.

Then, the number of milligrams administered is the measurement that should be used for chart documentation. Therefore, the dental hygienist should document that the patient received 108 mg of 3% mepivacaine. If the dental hygienist administered less than an entire cartridge, the dental hygienist should determine how much of the cartridge was administered. Helpful tips follow:

• Some manufacturers place volume indicators on the anesthetic cartridges, allowing the clinician to deposit precise volumes of anesthetic or to determine precisely how much anesthetic was delivered (Figure 8-1).

• If the cartridge does not have a volume indicator label, the clinician can determine the local anesthetic volume by the width of the rubber stopper. Each rubber stopper deposits approximately 0.2 mL of solution from a 1.8 mL cartridge (Figure 8-2).

• If the dental hygienist deposited one cartridge and three stoppers of the second cartridge of mepivacaine 3%, the calculation of administered drug would be as follows:

1.6 (cartridges)×54mg/cartridge=86.4mg of mepivacaine3% was administered.

Calculating Additional Doses of the Same Drug

If the patient weighs 120 lbs, and the dental hygienist will be administering 3% mepivacine, the patient’s MRD is 240 mg.

120×2 mg/lb=240 mg MRD

or

120×4.4 mg/kg=240 MRD

As discussed earlier, if the dental hygienist administered two cartridges of 3% mepivacaine, the patient received 108 mg of the MRD of 240 mg. To determine how many more milligrams of drug (mepivacaine) this patient can receive, subtract the MRD (240 mg) by the dose administered (108 mg).

240mg−108mg=132mg

The patient can receive 132 more mg of mepivacaine 3%.

To determine how many more cartridges this patient can receive, divide 132 mg by 54 mg (3% mepivacaine in one cartridge):

132÷54 mg/cartridge=2.4 cartridges

The patient can receive 2.4 additional cartridges of 3% mepivacaine.

Calculating Additional Doses of Different Drugs

In some instances, the dental hygienist may need to administer a different anesthetic drug to a patient after a drug has already been administered. Although this is uncommon, the situation may arise, and the dental hygienist must know how to calculate the amount of the new drug he or she can safely administer. There is no guaranteed formula to calculate this number.³ However, a commonly used method to ensure that the total dose of the two drugs does not exceed the MRD of the most toxic drug, the lower of the two individual MRDs should be used to calculate the amount of the second drug.³ The following steps describe this method for a 130-lb healthy patient using 2% lidocaine as drug number one (two cartridges already administered) and switching to 4% prilocaine as drug number two as an example: (See Box 8-8 for summary of steps.)