PHCA 201 ☆ Competency Assessment 1

PHARMACEUTICAL CALCULATIONS REVIEW

Lecturer: PROF. DANIELLE MATUGUINAS & PROF. JACQUELINE PADILLA
Summer ☆ S.Y. 2021-2022

CALCULATION Common Conversions:

OF DOSES:
● tsp = 5ml
● tbsp = 15ml
01. ● drop/gtt = 20drops/mL
General ● 1 pint = 473 mL

Considerations Formula:
● Number of doses = Total quantity/Size of Dose
● Size of the Dose = Total quantity/Number of Doses
TERMINOLOGY
● Total quantity = Number of Doses x Size of Dose
● Dose - quantitative amount of a drug administered or
taken for the intended medicinal effect
● Single Dose - amount taken at one time
● Daily Dose
1. If a pharmacist counted 40 drops of medication in
- total dose in a day filling a graduated cylinder to the 2.5 mark, how
- Daily dose can be taken in divided doses, two many drops/ml did the dropper deliver?
or more times per day depending on the 40 drops / 2.5 = 16 drops per mL
characteristics of the drug and the illness.
● Total Dose - amount taken during the course of
therapy Number of doses = Total quantity/Size of Dose
● Dosage regimen - schedule of dosing (4x a day for 7
days) 1. If the dose of a drug is 200mg, how many doses are
● Usual adult dose - amount of druug that ordinarily contained in 10g?
produces the (70 kg) medicinal effect intended for adult 10,000mg / 200mg = 50 doses
patients 2. If 1 tablespoon is prescribed as a dose,
● Usual pediatric dose - for the infant/child patient approximately, how many doses will be contained
● Usual dose range - quantitative range or amounts of in1pint of the medicine?
the drug that may be prescribed within the guidelines 1 pint = 473 mL
of usual medical practice 1 tbsp = 15 mL
● Median effective dose - amount of the drug that 473 mL/15 mL = 31.53 = 31 doses
produces the desired intensity of effect in 50%if
individuals tested
● median toxic dose - amount of the drug that produces Size of the Dose = Total quantity/Number of Doses
the toxic effects in 50%if individuals tested
● minimum effective concentration (MEC) - minimum 1. How many teaspoonfuls would be prescribed in
concentration determined that can be expected to each dose of an elixir if 180ml contained 18 doses?
produce the drug's desired effect in a patient 1 tsp = 5 mL
● minimum toxic concentration (MTC) - minimum 180 mL/18 doses = 10 mL/5mL = 2 teasponfuls
concentration determined that produces dose-related
2. How many drops would be prescribed in each dose
toxic effects
of a liquid medicine in 15ml contained to 60 doses?
The dispensing dropper calibrates 32drops/ml.
Max.EC = Min.TC
15mL / 60 doses = 0.25mL per dose
The difference between a drug and a poison is the dose.
0.25 x 32 drops = 8 drops
● Priming or Loading dose - dose that makes the body
realize that you are taking medication (Ex. Loperamide Total quantity=Number of Doses x Size of Dose
[taking 2 tablets first and then 1 tablet everyday]).
Basically the initial dose of a drug which is higher than
the maintenance dose 1. How many ml of liquid medicine would provide a
patient with 2 tablespoonfuls twice a day of 8 days?
● Maintenance Dose - for chronic diseases, to treat
symptoms (Starts at lowest dose) 1 tbsp = 15 mL
● Monotheraphy - One type of drug only to treat one 2 tbsp x 15 mL x 2 times a day x 8 days = 480 mL
condition. 2. How many grams ofadrug will be needed to prepare
● Adjunctive Therapy - Similar to polypharmacy, it is 72 dosage forms if each is to contain 30mg?
multiple medications (where one complements the 30 mg x 72 dosages = 2160 mg
main medication). It controls the effects of the first 2160 / 1000 = 2.16 g
drug.
● Prophylactic Dose - drugs to prevent individual for
potential disease due to risk exposure. (Ex. 100mg of
Doxycycline as preventive medicine for Leptospirosis)
● Therapeutic Dose - dose to treat your diagnosed
disease

PHARMACEUTICAL CALCULATIONS Review ☆

 PHCA 201 ☆ Competency Assessment 1
PHARMACEUTICAL CALCULATIONS REVIEW
Lecturer: PROF. DANIELLE MATUGUINAS & PROF. JACQUELINE PADILLA
Summer ☆ S.Y. 2021-2022
CALCULATION
02. OF DOSES:
PatientParameters
● The usual dose of a drug is the amount that ordinarily
produces the desired therapeutic response in the
majority of patients in a general, or otherwise defined,
population group.
● The drug's usual dosage range is the range of dosage
determined to be safe and effective in that same
population group.
- provides the prescriber with dosing guidelines
in initially selecting a drug dose for a
particular patient and the flexibility to change
that dose as the patient's clinical response
warrants.
● Usual doses and dosage regimens are based on the
results of clinical studies conducted during the drug
development process as well as on clinical information
gathered following the initial approval and marketing of
the drug.
● Patients requiring individualized dosage are
- neonates and other pediatric patients, elderly
patients with diminished biologic functions,
- individuals of all age groups with
compromised liver and/or kidney function (and
thus reduced ability to metabolize and
eliminate drug substances),
- critically ill patients, and patients being treated
with highly toxic chemotherapeutic agents.
● Certain drugs with a narrow therapeutic window often
require individualized dosing based on blood level
determinations and therapeutic monitoring.
- Digoxin at a blood level of 0.9 to 2ng/mL is
considered therapeutic, but above 2 ng/mL it
is toxic.
PEDIATRIC PATIENTS
● Pediatrics is the branch of medicine that deals with
disease in children from birth through adolescence
○ Neonate (newborn): from birth to 1 month;
○ Premature: born at less than 37 weeks'
gestation.
○ Infant:1month to 1 year;
○ early childhood: 1 year through5years;
○ late childhood: 6 years through 12 years;
○ Adolescence:13 years through 17 years of
age
● Proper drug dosing of the pediatric patient depends on
a number of actors:
○ the patient's age and weight,
○ overall health status,
○ the condition of such biologic functions as
respiration and circulation,
○ the stage of development of body systems for
drug metabolism(e.g., liver enzymes)and drug
elimination (e.g., renal system).
PHARMACEUTICAL CALCULATIONS Review ☆
● In the neonate:
○ Biologic functions and systems are
underdeveloped. Renal function develops
over the span of the first 2 years of life.
○ the most commonly used drugs in neonates,
infants, and young children are antimicrobial
agents, which are eliminated primarily
through the kidney.
○ If the rate of drug elimination is not properly
considered, drug accumulation in the body
could occur, leading to drug overdosage and
toxicity
○ Thus, the use of pharmacokinetic data (i.e.,
the rates and extent of drug absorption,
distribution, metabolism, and elimination),
together with individual patient drug handling
characteristics and therapeutic response,
provides a rational approach to pediatric drug
dosage calculations.
Case in Point 8.1
A hospital pharmacist is asked to determine the dose of
clindamycin for a 3-day-old neonate weighing 3lb.7oz. In
checking the literature, the pharmacist determines that the
dose is listed as follows:
<1200g:10 mg/kg/day divided q12h.
<2000g and 0-7 days old:10 mg/kg/day divided q12h
<2000g and>7days old:15 mg/kg/day divided q8h
>2000g and 0-7 days old:15 mg/kg/day divided q8h
>2000g and>7days old:20 mg/kg/day divided q6h
Each divided dose is to be added to an intravenous infusion
at the scheduled hour and infused over a period of 20
minutes.
Clindamycin is available in an IV bag containing 600mg/50
mL of injectable solution. How many milliliters of this solution
should be given for each divided dose?
1 kg = 2.2 lbs
1 kg = 35.27 oz
3 lbs & 7oz = 1.56 kg
10mg x 1.56 = 15.6 / 2 (since 12h) = 7.8 mg x 50 / 600 = 0.65 mL
Case in Point 8.2
A pediatric patient is being administered enalaprilat
(VASOTEC IV) every 12 hours by intravenous injection to
manage hypertension and possible heart failure. Based on a
dose of 5mcg/kg, the patient is receiving 55 mcg of
enalaprilat per dose. The physician wishes to convert the
patient to oral enalapril at a dosage of 100mcg/kg as asingle
daily dose.The standard procedure is to crush a 2.5-mg
tablet of enalapril, mix with sterile water to make 12.5 mL,and
administer the appropriate dose using a calibrated oral
dispenser. Calculate the dose,in milliliters,to be administered
to this patient.
55 mcg/kg / 5 mcg/kg = 11 kg (weight of child)
1 mg = 1000 mcg
1100 mcg / 1000 mcg = 1.1 mg
1.1 mg/ x mL = 2.5 mg/ 12.5 mL
x = 5.5 mL

GERIATRIC PATIENTS
● The term "elderly" is subject to varying definitions with
regard to chronologic age,
● The functional capacities of most organ systems
decline throughout adulthood and important changes in
drug response occur with advancing age.
● Geriatric medicine or geriatrics is the field that
encompasses the management of illness disability in
the elderly.
● Pharmacotherapy:
○ the use of pharmacologically active
substances in the treatment of disease and
illness ̈ is of disproportionate use in the
elderly compared with other age groups.
● Some conditions are particularly common in the elderly,
including:
○ degenerative osteoarthritis,
○ congestive heart failure,
○ venous and arterial insufficiency,
○ stroke,
○ urinary incontinence,
○ prostatic carcinoma,
○ parkinsonism,
○ Alzheimer disease.
● Many elderly patients have coexisting pathologies that
require multiple-drug therapies.
● Medications in the elderly are prescribed not only to
relieve symptoms and manage diseases but also to
improve bodily function, enhance the quality of life, and
prolong survival.
● Most age-related physiologic functions peak before
age 30 years, with subsequent gradual linear decline.
● Reductions in physiologic capacity and function are
cumulative, becoming more profound with age.
● Kidney function is a major consideration in drug dosing
in the elderly because reduced function results in
reduced drug elimination.
● Renal blood flow diminishes nearly 1% per year after
age 30, making the cumulative decline in most persons
60 to 70 years of age, about 30% to 40%, a value that
is even greater in older persons.'
● There is a frequent need for dosage adjustment or
medication change due to adverse effects or otherwise
unsatisfactory therapeutic outcomes. Pharmacokinetic
parameters are important in the dosing of certain drugs
in the elderly patient.
● There are a number of other common features of
medication use in the elderly, including:
○ the long-term use of maintenance drugs;
○ the need for multi-drug therapy, with the
attendant increased possibility of drug
interactions and adverse drug effects;
○ difficulties in patient compliance. n due to
impaired cognition, confusion over the various
dosing schedules of multiple medications,
depression or apathy, and economic reasons.
● There are a number of other common features of
medication use in the elderly, including:
○ with the attendant increased possibility of
drug interactions and adverse drug effects;
○ difficulties in patient compliance. due to
impaired cognition, confusion over the various
dosing schedules of multiple medications,
depression or apathy, and economic reasons.
A. Special Considerations in Dose Determinations
● Therapy is initiated with a lower-than-usual
adult dose.
● Dose adjustment may be based on the
therapeutic response.
● The patient's physical condition may
determine the drug dose and the route of
administration employed.
● The dose may be determined, in part,on the
patient's weight, body surface area, health
and disease status, and pharmacokinetic
factors.
PHARMACEUTICAL CALCULATIONS Review ☆
● Concomitant drug therapy may affect
drug/dose effectiveness.
● A drug's dose may produce undesired
adverse effects and may affect patient
compliance.
● Complex dosage regimens of multiple drug
therapy may affect patient compliance.
B. Dosage Forms Applicable to Pediatric and Geriatric Patients
● solid dosage forms, such as tablets and capsules:
○ are preferred for the oral administration of
drugs because of their convenience, ease of
administration, ready identification,
transportation, and lower cost per dose.
○ are difficult or impossible for the pediatric,
geriatric, or infirm patient to swallow.
● Liquid forms are preferred, such as oral solutions,
syrups, suspensions, and drops.
○ An advantage of liquid forms is that the dose
can easily be adjusted by changing the
volume of liquid administered.
○ When necessary, liquid forms of medication
may be administered by oral feeding tube.
● Chewable tablets and solid gel forms (medicated
"gummy bears") that disintegrate or dissolve in the
mouth are also often used for pediatric and geriatric
patients.
C. Drug Dosage Based On Age
● The age of the patient being treated is frequently a
consideration in the determination of drug dosage,
especially in the young or elderly.
● newborns are abnormally sensitive to certain drugs
because of the immature state of their hepatic and
renal function.
● Elderly individuals may also respond abnormally to the
usual adult dose of a drug because of impaired ability
to metabolize or eliminate the drug or because of other
concurrent pathologic conditions.
● Various rules of dosage in which the pediatric dose
was a fraction of the adult dose, based on relative age,
were created for youngsters (e.g., Young's rule).
● Today these rules are not in general use because age
alone is no longer considered a singularly valid
criterion in the determination of children's dosage,
especially when calculated from the usual adult dose,
which itself provides wide clinical variations in
response.
● Some of these rules are presented in the footnote for
perspective and historical purposes."
3
 Example: Using Table 8.2 and a daily dose of 0.5
mg/kg, how many 20-mg capsules of the drug product
should be dispensed to a patient weighing 176 lb if the
From the data in Table 8.1, calculate the dosage range for
dosage regimen calls for 15 weeks of therapy?
digoxin for a 20-month-old infant weighing 6.8 kg.
176 lbs =80 kg
D. Drug Dosage Based On Body Weight 176 lbs & 1.5 mg/kg dose = 40 total mg/day (Table 8.2)
● The usual doses for drugs are considered generally 40 mg / 20-mg capsule = 2 capsules
suitable for 70-kg (154-lb) individuals. 2 capsules x 15 weeks x 7 days = 210 capsules
● The ratio between the amount of drug administered
and the size of the body influences the drug
concentration at its site of action.
F. Drug Dosage Based On Body Surface Area (BSA)
○ Drug dosage may require adjustment from the
usual adult dose for abnormally lean or
obese patients.

● A useful equation for the calculation of dose based on

body weight is:
Patient's dose (mg) = Patient's weight (kg) x (Drug dose [mg] / 1 [kg])

This equation is based on a drug dose in

mg/kg and the patient's weight in kilograms. When
different units are given or desired, other units may be
substituted in the equation as long as the terms used
are consistently applied.
● widely used in two types of patient groups:
● The determination of drug dosage for young patients ○ cancer patients receiving chemotherapy,
on the basis of body weight is considered more ○ pediatric patients of all childhood ages,
dependable than that based strictly on age.
● The dosage of a number of drug substances is ● Exception: premature and full-term newborns, whose
frequently expressed on a milligram(drug)per immature renal and liver functions require additional
kilogram(body weight)or milligram per pound basis. assessment in dosing

Examples:

The usual initial dose of chlorambucil is 150 ug/kg of body

weight once a day. How many milligrams should be
administered to a person weighing 154 lb?
Weight: 70 kg
150 mcg x 70 kg = 10500 mcg = 10.5 mg

A hospital pharmacist is called to a pediatric nursing station

to calculate the quantity of an injection to administer
toapediatric patient. The daily dose of the injection for the
child's weight is stated as 15mg/kg/day,divided into three
equal portions. The child weighs 10 kg.The injection
contains5mg/mL of the prescribed drug. How many milliliters
of injection should be administered?

15 mg/ kg/day =
5mg x 10 kg = 50 mg
50 / 5 = 10 ml

E. Use of Dosing Tables Based on Body Weight

● For some drugs dosed according to body weight or
body surface area, dosing tables appear in product
literature to assist the physician and pharmacist.
● An example is presented in Table 8.2.
Body Surface Area Dosage with Relation to Weight in Children.

PHARMACEUTICAL CALCULATIONS Review ☆

4
 ● Table 8.3 shows the approximate relation between
body weight and surface area of average body
dimensions.
○ may be used in the calculation of pediatric
doses based on BSA as related to weight.
○ The pediatric dose is expressed as a
percentage of the adult dose, based on the
relationship of the square meter area of a
given weight and the average adult surface
area of 1.73 m2.

● Approximate doses for children may be calculated by

multiplying the adult dose by this percentage.

Example: If the usual adult dose of a drug is 100 mg,

determine the approximate dose for a child with a BSA of
0.83 m2 or 48% of the average adult BSA (from Table 8.3).

Multiply 100mg immediately to 48% = 48 mg

The dose is then calculated as follows:

If the adult dose is given,

BSA of child (mm²)

x Adult dose = Approx. dose for child
1.73m2 (ave adult BSA)

Examples: If the adult dose of a drug is 75 mg, what would

be the dose for a child weighing 40 lb and measuring 32
inches in height?(Use the body surface area method.)

BSA of child:
(40 lbs x 32 in) / 3131 = 0.64 m2
(0.64 / 1.73m2) x 75mg = 27.75

● If the dose per square meter is given,

BSA of child (in m2) x Dose per m2 = Approximate dose for child

•Example: The usual pediatric dose of ephedrine sulfate is

stated as 25 mg/m2.Using the nomogram, calculate the dose
for a child weighing 18 kg and measuring 82 cm in height.

0.64 BSA x 25 mg = 16 mg

PHARMACEUTICAL CALCULATIONS Review ☆

5
 PHCA 201 ☆ Competency Assessment 1
PHARMACEUTICAL CALCULATIONS REVIEW
Lecturer: PROF. DANIELLE MATUGUINAS & PROF. JACQUELINE PADILLA
Summer ☆ S.Y. 2021-2022

a.) Weight of Active Ingredient in a Specific Volume, Given Its

CALCULATION:
Percentage Weight-in-Volume

1) How much dextrose (in grams) is required to

Ratio and prepare 4000 mL of a 5% solution?
03.
Percentage => 5% = 5g/100 mL
=> 5%/100

Strengths
=> 0.05

5g / 100 mL = x /4000 mL = 200g

Only if the solvent is water because 1mL of water is equal to 1g.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

● Define the three types of percentage preparation.

● Calculate the amount of active ingredient and the
amount of inactive ingredient in each of the three
types of percentage preparations.
● Calculate the amount of active ingredient in a product
using ratio strength.
● Convert percentage concentrations per to milligrams
millilitre or vice versa.

PERCENT - for solutions / suspensions of solids in liquids:

Percent weight-in-volume
● measure of a liquid pharmaceutical preparation in
grams of solid active ingredient (solute) per 100 mL of
the product. It can be applied to Solutions, 2) How much potassium permanganate (in grams)
suspensions, lotions, and so on. should be used in compounding the following
prescription?

=> 0.02% / 100 = 0.0002

=> 250mL x 0.0002 = 0.05g

3) How much aminobenzoic acid (in grams) should be

used in preparing 8 fl. oz of a 5% solution in 70%
alcohol?

=> 8 fl.oz x (29.57 mL/ 1 fl.oz) = 236.57 mL or 240mL

=> 5% = 5g/100 mL

=> x / 236.56 mL = 5g/ 100 mL

=> x = 11.828 or 12 grams
Example 1: 10% Urea Lotion
4) A formula for an antifungal shampoo contains 2%
This means that there is 10g in 100 mL of solution. w/v of ketoconazole. How many grams of ketoconazole
would be needed to prepare 25L of the shampoo?
Example 2: Cefalexin (250mg / 5mL)
Conversion: 2% = 2g/100 mL
= 250mg / 1000 mg 25L = 25000 mL
= 0.25 g / 5mL
= 0.05 x 100% Ratio & Prop: 2g/100 mL = x g / 25000
= 5% x = 500 g

5) Viramune Oral Suspension contains 1% w/v of

Nevirapine. Calculate the mg of Nevirapine present in
a 240 mL bottle of the suspension.

1% = 1g/100mL

1g/100 mL = xg / 240 mL
x = 2.4 g → 2400 mg

PHARMACEUTICAL CALCULATIONS Review ☆

b.) Percentage Weight-in-Volume of Solution,Given Weight of
Solute or Constituent and Volume of Solution or Liquid
Preparation 3) A topical solution contains 3% w/v
Hydroquinone. How many liters of the solution
1) What is the percentage strength w/v of a can be prepared from 30 g of Hydroquinone?
solution of urea if 80mL contains 12 g?
=> 3% is 3 g in 100 mL
12g / 80mL → 15% => every container is 3 g

2) A pharmacist adds 10 mL of a 20% (w/v) 3 g/100 ml= 30 g/x

solution of a drug to 500 mL of D5W for x= 1000 mL = 1 L
parenteral infusion. What is the percentage
strength of the drug in the infusion solution?

r=> 20% of 10 mL = 2g/10 mL

=> 0.02 x 10mL = 2g
=> 2g / (500 mL +10 mL)
=> 2g/ 510 mL = 0.39% → 0.4%

3) If 100 mL of a solution for patient-controlled

anesthesia contains 200 mg of morphine
sulfate and 8 mg Droperidol, calculate the
percentage strength of each of these
ingredients in the solution. PERCENT - for solutions of liquids in liquids:
200 mg → 0.2 g
8 mg → 0.008 g Percent volume-in-volume
● measure of a liquid pharmaceutical preparation in
Morphine Sulfate milliliters of active ingredient per 100 mL of the
=> 0.02g / 100 mL x 100% = 0.2 % w/v preparation

Droperidol
=> 0.008g / 100 mL x 100% = 0.008 % w/v

4) Rx Fentanyl Citrate 20 ug/mL

Bupivacaine HCI 0.125 %
NaCi (0.%) Injection 100 mL

Rx Fentanyl Citrate
=> 20 ug/mL= CONVERT TO PERCENTAGE
STRENGTH g/100 mL
=>20 ug/mL x 1 mg/1000 mg x 1g/1000 mg
=0.00002g/ml a.) Volume of Active Ingredient in a Specific Volume, Given
Percentage Strength Volume-in-Volume
=>0.00002 g/mL x 100 % = 0.002 %
Example:
1) How much liquefied phenol (in milliliters) should be
c.Volume of Solution or Liquid Preparation, Given Percentage used in compounding the following prescription?
StrengthWeight-in-Volume and Weight of Solute

1) How much (in milliliters) of a 3% solution can

be made from 27 g of ephedrine sulfate?

=>3 % is equivalent to 3 g in 100 ml (volume)

27/3= 9 (a total of 900 ml in every 100 ml–900

ml each containing 3 % of the solution)

SOL’n:

=> 3% / 100 %
= 27 g/ x (cross multiply)
= 3 (x)= (100 %) x (27 g) 240 mL x 2.5 %= 6 mL
= 2700/3 L.P= 6 mL + C.L
=900 g
900 g= 900 mL 2) A lotion vehicle contains 15% (v/v) of Glycerin. How
much in grams of glycerin should be used in preparing
5 gallons of the lotion? (Specific gravity of glycerin is 1.25)
2) If an intravenous injections contains 20%
(w/v) of Mannitol, how many mL of the 5 gal x 3875 mL/ 1 gal = 18, 925 mL
injection should be administered to provide a 18,925 mL X 15 %= 2838.75 mL
patient with 100 g of Mannitol? => 2838.75 mL X 1.25 g/mL (cancel out ang ML lods)
=3548.4 g of glycerin
100 g -> mL
20% = 20 g/100 mL= 100 g/x (CROSS MULTIPLY MADS)
20 g (x)= 100 g (100 ml)
x = 500 mL

PHARMACEUTICAL CALCULATIONS Review ☆

7
b.) Percentage Volume-in-Volume of Solution, Given Volume of
Active Ingredient and Volume of Solution
Example
1) In preparing 250 mL of a certainlotion, a
pharmacist used 4 mL of Liquefied Phenol.
What was the percentage strength (v/v) of
liquefied phenol in the lotion?
b.) Weight of either active ingredient or diluent, given weight of
the other and percentage strength (w/w) of solution
1) How many grams of a drug substance should be
added to 240 mL of water to make a 4% (w/w)
solution?

Total v of lotion- 250 mL

4 mL/ 250 mL x 100 = 1.6 %

2) What is the percentage strength (v/v) of a

solution of 800 g of a liquid with a specific
gravity of 0.800 in enough water to make 2) How many grams of a drug substance should be
4000 mL? added to 1800 mL of water to make a 10% (w/w)
solution?
800g -> mL
800 g/ .800 g/mL = 1000 mL

=> 1000 mL (unknown) LIQUID / 4000 mL X

100 = 25%
c.) Calculating the percentage strength weight-weight
1) If 500 g of a solution contains 75 g of a drug
c.) Volume of Solution, Given Volume of Active Ingredient and substance, what is the percentage strength (w/w) of
its Percentage Strength (v/v) the solution?

1) Peppermint spirit contains 10% (v/v) of

peppermint oil. What volume of the spirit will
contain 75 mL of peppermint oil?

P.spirit volume? 2)
10ml (p.oil)/ 100 mL (solution)
100 mL (P. spirit) = 10 ml (p.oil)
X p. Spirit = 75 mL (p.oil)

=> 75 ml / 10 mL= 7.5 mL P.oil If benzoin tincture has a specific gravity of 0.88,
=> 7.5 x 100 calculate its percentage strength (w/w) in the mixture
= 750 mL (p. Spirit each containing of p. oil)

2) If a veterinary liniment contains 30% (v/v) of

dimethylsulfoxide, how many mL of the
liniment can be prepared from 1 lb of
dimethylsulfoxide (sp.gr. 1.10)?

1 lb = 454 g -> mL
= 454g/ 1.10 g/mL = 412. 7 mL

30 mL/ 100 mL= 412.7 mL/ x = 1,375.76 mL

PERCENT - for mixtures of solids or semisolids

Percent weight-in-weight
● measure of a pharmaceutical preparation in grams of
active ingredient per 100 grams of the preparation

a.) Weight of active ingredient in a specific weight of solution,

given its weight-in-weight percentage strength
1) How many grams of Azelaic acid should be
used to prepare 240 g of a 5% w/w Finacea
Ointment containing Azaleic acid as an active
ingredient?

5g/ 100 g x 240 g = 12 g

2) How many grams of Hydrocortisone should

be used in preparing 120 suppositories,
each weighing 2 g and containing 1% of
Hydrocortisone?

120 (2 g)= 240 g -> 1 g/ 100 g x 240 g= 2.4 g

PHARMACEUTICAL CALCULATIONS Review ☆

8
RATIO STRENGTH

Example 1: Express 0.02% as a ratio strength

Example 2: Express 2.5% as a ratio strength

a.) Ratio strength of solution given weight of solute in a

specified volume
1) A certain injectable contains 2 mg of a drug per mL of
solution. What is the ratio strength (w/v) of the
solution?

2) What is the ratio strength (w/v) of a solution made by

dissolving five tablets, each containing 2.25 g of NaCl,
in enough water to make 1800 mL?

b.) Weight of active ingredient, given the ratio strength and

volume of the solution
1) How many grams of Potassium permanganate should
be used in preparing 500 mL of 1:2500 solution?

2) How many mg of Gentian Violet should be used in

preparing the following solution?

3) How many mg of Hexachlorophene should be used in

compounding the following prescription?
Hexachlorophene 1:400
Hydrophilic ointment ad 10g
Sig. Apply

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