Adult airway medication reference

RSI Dosage Calculator

Calculate weight-based adult rapid sequence intubation drug doses for ketamine, etomidate, propofol, rocuronium, and succinylcholine—with practical safety notes for medication selection and verification.

kg or lb Drug-specific cautions Source-linked guidance

Clinical reference only. RSI requires airway expertise, continuous monitoring, resuscitation readiness, and an immediate post-intubation plan. Verify every dose against the patient, medication label, concentration, and local protocol.

Adult rapid sequence intubation

Calculate initial RSI doses

Enter actual body weight to view reference doses. Always choose one induction agent and one paralytic—not every medication shown.

Adult reference only. Obesity and specific agents may require a different dosing scalar.

Dose results will appear here after a valid adult weight is entered. Reference doses reflect current adult RSI practice guidance reviewed in August 2026.
Built by a Registered Respiratory Therapist
Current guideline and prescribing sources

2026 evidence check. Reviewed against the January 2026 ACEP adult airway policy, current SCCM adult RSI guidance, a 2025 AANP practice brief, and current DailyMed prescribing information. Prepared by PulmTools Editorial Team.

Adult quick reference

Adult RSI drug doses at a glance

These commonly referenced IV dose ranges support rapid sequence intubation planning. The calculator uses the specific reference dose shown in the fourth column; patient physiology, obesity, contraindications, and local protocols can change the appropriate dose.

MedicationRoleReference rangeCalculator doseKey context
KetamineInduction1–2 mg/kg IV2 mg/kgIndividualize for physiology and administration rate.
EtomidateInduction0.2–0.3 mg/kg IV0.3 mg/kgUsual labeled induction dose; labeling permits a wider individualized range.
PropofolInduction1–2 mg/kg IV1.5 mg/kgAvoid in ED patients at increased risk for post-intubation hypotension.
RocuroniumParalytic0.6–1.2 mg/kg IV1.2 mg/kgUpper end of the labeled RSI range; anticipate prolonged paralysis.
SuccinylcholineParalytic1–1.5 mg/kg IV1.5 mg/kgCurrent practice range; screen carefully for contraindications.

How it works

How to calculate RSI medication doses

Weight-based RSI doses are calculated by multiplying the selected dose in mg/kg by the patient’s dosing weight in kilograms. This tool uses actual body weight as the initial input and displays reference amounts—not a medication order.

1

Enter actual weight

Use kilograms or pounds. Confirm the measured or most reliable current weight.

2

Choose one plus one

Select one induction agent and one neuromuscular blocker based on physiology and contraindications.

3

Verify before giving

Perform an independent check of patient, drug, concentration, dose, route, allergies, and local protocol.

Induction agent selection

Ketamine and etomidate are commonly used when peri-intubation hypotension is a concern. The January 2026 ACEP adult endotracheal-intubation policy recommends ketamine or etomidate to reduce that risk in emergency-department patients.

Propofol can produce hypotension and cardiorespiratory depression. ACEP advises avoiding it as an induction or coinduction drug in ED patients at increased risk for post-intubation hypotension.

Paralytic selection

Rocuronium 0.6–1.2 mg/kg is labeled for rapid sequence intubation. The current SCCM adult RSI guideline supports either rocuronium or succinylcholine when succinylcholine has no known contraindication. Higher rocuronium doses tend to favor faster onset but also leave a longer period of paralysis, making prompt post-intubation analgesia and sedation essential.

Succinylcholine 1–1.5 mg/kg is commonly listed for adult RSI in current clinical practice references; its prescribing information describes a lower adult intubation range. It has a shorter duration but important contraindications and warnings. Screen carefully for conditions that raise the risk of hyperkalemia, rhabdomyolysis, malignant hyperthermia, or prolonged blockade.

After the airway is secured

Calculate lung-protective initial tidal volume separately

Tidal volume uses predicted body weight derived from height and sex—not the actual body weight entered for this drug calculator. The ARDSNet Assistant keeps that workflow and its distinct safety logic in the right place.

Open ARDSNet Assistant

Common questions

RSI medication dosing FAQ

What medications are used for rapid sequence intubation?

RSI usually combines one induction agent with one neuromuscular blocker. Ketamine and etomidate are common induction choices; rocuronium and succinylcholine are common paralytic choices. Propofol may be considered in selected hemodynamically stable patients.

What is the adult ketamine dose for RSI?

A commonly referenced adult IV induction dose is 1–2 mg/kg. This calculator displays 2 mg/kg. Dose, route, administration rate, and patient physiology must be considered before use.

What is the adult etomidate dose for RSI?

The usual adult induction dose in etomidate prescribing information is 0.3 mg/kg IV. The labeled range is 0.2–0.6 mg/kg and dosing must be individualized.

What is the rocuronium dose for rapid sequence intubation?

Rocuronium prescribing information lists 0.6–1.2 mg/kg for rapid sequence intubation. This calculator displays 1.2 mg/kg, which is the upper end of that labeled range and is commonly selected when rapid onset is the priority.

What is the succinylcholine dose for adult RSI?

Current adult RSI practice references commonly use 1–1.5 mg/kg IV. This calculator displays 1.5 mg/kg. FDA labeling for routine adult tracheal intubation describes a lower 0.3–1.1 mg/kg range, so clinicians should follow medication-specific guidance and local RSI protocols.

Should RSI drugs use actual or ideal body weight?

This tool starts with actual body weight. Obesity may change the appropriate dosing scalar for selected medications, so clinicians should verify drug-specific guidance, patient factors, and local pharmacy or airway protocols.

Does the calculator include initial ventilator tidal volume?

No. Drug dose and tidal volume use different inputs and weight concepts. Initial lung-protective tidal volume should be based on predicted body weight from height and sex, not actual body weight. Use the linked ARDSNet Assistant for that calculation.