Immunoglobulin Dose Calculator
IVIG dose from patient weight and indication.
About this calculator
Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) is pooled donor antibody used both as REPLACEMENT therapy in primary immunodeficiency and, at much higher doses, as an IMMUNOMODULATORY treatment in autoimmune and inflammatory conditions. Dosing differs substantially by indication: replacement therapy for primary immunodeficiency (PID) is commonly dosed around 400-600 mg/kg roughly every 3-4 weeks to keep IgG trough levels in a protective range, while immunomodulatory regimens use much larger total doses -- immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is commonly dosed around 1 g/kg per day for one to two days, Kawasaki disease as a single 2 g/kg infusion (given with aspirin) -- the dose specified in the American Heart Association's 2017 scientific statement on Kawasaki disease management -- and Guillain-Barre syndrome or CIDP around 0.4 g/kg per day for five days, which totals 2 g/kg -- one of several published GBS/CIDP regimens.
This calculator multiplies the selected indication's dose-per-kilogram by patient weight to estimate the total dose per cycle in grams, in every indication and both administration routes -- the total-dose calculation itself does not change based on IV versus subcutaneous (SCIG) route, since the same total immunoglobulin dose is simply delivered differently. Because published dosing ranges vary somewhat by source, patient factors, and evolving practice, and because IVIG carries real risks (infusion reactions, thrombosis, renal effects at high doses), the specific regimen for any patient should always come from their treating physician, not a general calculator.
Medical Disclaimer
This calculator is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making decisions about your health. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of results from this tool.
This tool estimates a starting point only and is not a validated clinical decision-support system. It does not account for every patient-specific factor (organ function, drug interactions, allergies, comorbidities, or current clinical status). Any dose, rate, or setting must be independently verified by the treating clinician and pharmacist or respiratory therapist against current institutional protocols, product labeling, and the patient's full clinical picture before being administered or applied.
Inputs
Results
Total dose per cycle (g)
35
Figures current as of 2017. Source: McCrindle BW, Rowley AH, Newburger JW, et al. Diagnosis, Treatment, and Long-Term Management of Kawasaki Disease: A Scientific Statement for Health Professionals From the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2017;135(17):e927-e999.
How to Use This Calculator
- Enter Patient weight (kg) and select an Indication (PID, ITP, Kawasaki, or GBS/CIDP).
- Select the administration Route (Intravenous IVIG or Subcutaneous SCIG).
- Adjust IgG trough level (mg/dL) as needed.
- Review the Total dose per cycle (g) result.
- Use Dose per day (g) and Volume per day (mL) to inform your decision.
How the result changes with Patient weight
| Patient weight | Total dose per cycle (g) |
|---|---|
| 35 | 17.5 |
| 53 | 26.5 |
| 105 | 52.5 |
| 175 | 87.5 |
What each input means
- Patient weight
- Patient body weight in kilograms.
- Indication
- Select treatment indication.
- IgG trough level (mg/dL)
- Most recent serum IgG trough level.
- Route
- Select administration route.
What each result means
- Total dose per cycle (g)
- Total immunoglobulin dose per treatment cycle in grams.
- Dose per day (g)
- Daily infusion dose if multi-day protocol.
- Volume per day (mL)
- Infusion volume per day at 10% concentration.
- Infusion duration (hours)
- Estimated infusion time per day at max tolerated rate.
- SCIG weekly dose (g)
- Equivalent subcutaneous dose if given weekly (PID only).
- Estimated cost per cycle ($)
- Approximate cost per treatment cycle.
How this is calculated
Worked example, using the default values
- Identify Input Parameters4 parametersPatient weight (kg) = 70, Indication = 1, IgG trough level (mg/dL) = 500, Route = 1 = 4 input(s) provided
- Calculate Total dose per cycleTotal dose per cycle35 = 35
- Calculate Dose per dayDose per day35 = 35
- Calculate Volume per dayVolume per day350 = 350
Figures and sources
- Kawasaki disease IVIG dosing (2 g/kg single infusion) (2017) — McCrindle BW, Rowley AH, Newburger JW, et al. Diagnosis, Treatment, and Long-Term Management of Kawasaki Disease: A Scientific Statement for Health Professionals From the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2017;135(17):e927-e999.
Engine last updated . Checked against 2 independently-derived tests — how we verify calculators. Built by Paul Gunder, a software engineer, not a licensed financial, medical, or legal professional.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the IVIG dose per kilogram so much higher for Kawasaki disease than for immunodeficiency?
The two situations use immunoglobulin for different purposes. Primary immunodeficiency dosing (commonly around 400-600 mg/kg) is REPLACEMENT therapy, aiming to restore roughly normal circulating antibody levels. Kawasaki disease treatment uses a single, much larger 2 g/kg dose because it is working immunomodulation -- the mechanism by which high-dose IVIG dampens the coronary-artery inflammation in Kawasaki disease is different from simple antibody replacement, and case evidence supports the larger single dose for that specific indication.
Does switching from IV to subcutaneous administration change the total dose calculated?
No -- the total dose per cycle in this calculator is driven by patient weight and the selected clinical indication alone; the administration route changes only how that dose is delivered (infusion rate and volume assumptions), not the total grams of immunoglobulin calculated for the cycle. The idea is the same total antibody dose, delivered either as an intravenous infusion or as subcutaneous injections.
Why is Guillain-Barre syndrome sometimes dosed over five days rather than one or two?
A commonly used GBS/CIDP regimen splits the same 2 g/kg total dose evenly across five days (0.4 g/kg per day) rather than giving it over one or two days as with ITP or Kawasaki disease. Spreading a large cumulative dose over more days can reduce the rate and severity of infusion-related reactions; other published regimens for GBS exist too, so the exact schedule a patient receives depends on their clinical team's protocol.
Does a patient's current IgG trough level change the total dose per cycle?
No -- the total dose per cycle here is calculated from patient weight and the selected indication only. This calculator reports a separate "dose adjustment" figure that flags when an entered IgG trough runs below 500 mg/dL, but that figure does not feed back into or change the total-dose-per-cycle calculation itself.
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