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Maximum safe dose by weight — lidocaine and bupivacaine.
Maximum dose
210 mg
3 mg/kg × 70 kg
Maximum volume at 2%
10.5 mL
210 mg ÷ 20 mg/mL
Typical reference maxima for education only. Confirm against the product SmPC, local protocol and senior review; absolute ceilings, comorbidity and site of injection all affect the true safe dose.
This calculator estimates the maximum safe dose of common local anaesthetics from the patient's weight. Lidocaine and bupivacaine maxima differ with adrenaline, and the tumescent (Klein) technique allows much higher lidocaine doses in dilute solution.
Typical reference maxima are lidocaine 3 mg/kg plain and 7 mg/kg with adrenaline, and bupivacaine 2 mg/kg plain and about 2.5 mg/kg with adrenaline. Adrenaline slows systemic absorption and raises the safe dose.
In tumescent liposuction, very dilute lidocaine with adrenaline allows doses up to roughly 35–55 mg/kg because absorption is slow. Always work to your local protocol.
Education only — confirm against the product SmPC, comorbidities, injection site and senior review. Local anaesthetic systemic toxicity (LAST) can occur below 'maximum' doses.