Creatinine Clearance (Cockcroft-Gault)
Estimate creatinine clearance using the Cockcroft-Gault equation (Nephron, 1976), the standard for renal function assessment and drug dose adjustment.
Results
What is it?
Estimates creatinine clearance (CrCl) using the Cockcroft-Gault equation (Nephron, 1976), the most widely used formula for renal function assessment and drug dose adjustment. CrCl approximates glomerular filtration rate and is the basis for most pharmacokinetic dosing guidelines.
How to use
Enter age, body weight, serum creatinine level (mg/dL), and biological sex. The formula is: CrCl = [(140 − age) × weight] / (72 × serum creatinine), multiplied by 0.85 for females due to lower average muscle mass.
Example scenario
A 55-year-old male, 70 kg, serum creatinine 1.2 mg/dL: CrCl = (140 − 55) × 70 / (72 × 1.2) = 68.9 mL/min, indicating mildly reduced function (normal > 90). Many drugs like vancomycin, enoxaparin, and DOACs require dose reduction below 50 mL/min.
Pro tip
Use actual body weight for most patients, but for obese patients (BMI > 30), consider adjusted body weight to avoid overestimation. Cockcroft-Gault is not validated for unstable renal function — in acute kidney injury, trending serum creatinine is more informative than a single CrCl estimate.