PHARMACEUTICAL CALCULATIONS

Basics
Numbers and Numerals
 In pharmacy two major numerals are used: Arabic numerals & Roman numerals
1. Arabic Numerals
 decimal system
 Expressed by 0 to 9
2. Roman Numerals
 Expressing a large number with notation of 8 letters:

Roman SS- i V X l c D(d) M(m)

Arabic ½ 1 5 10 50 100 500 1000

 Other quantities can be expressed by combination of these letters.

Rules for expressing Roman Numerals
i. two or more letters expresses a quantity that is the sum, if they are equal or smaller to
each other
Eg. ii = 2
xi= 10 + 1 = 11
lxxvi = 50 + 20 + 5 + 1 = 76
ii. When a smaller numeral placed before larger, the smaller has to be subtracted
Eg. iv = 5 – 1 = 4
Xcix = (100-10)+(10-1) = 99
I. i, x and c are used as subtracted and only from two character next higher value than
itself.
i x c
v x l c D M

i. A subtractor is placed so as to preceed only one character higher than itself

Eg. 65 = lxv not vlxx
97 = xcvii not iiic
ii. The number of letters used should be as short as posible

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 Exercise
1. Write the following in roman numerals
a) 17 b) 1492 c) 1991
2. Write the following in Arabic numerals
a) xlviii b) mcmlix c) cdxliv
Measurement Systems
Weighing
 Weight is measured by means of balance
 The balance used in dispensing is called prescription balance
 There are 3 main types of prescription balance:
a) Class A
b) Class B
c) Class C
 Measuring balances have same purpose, but differentiated from each other by the
following parameter.
Type Minimum weight (mg) Capacity (g)
Class A 50 1
Class B 100 50
Class C 1000 2000

 Measurement are never absolutely accurate ( there is error)

 Knowing magnitude of the error during measurement is important
 The following three formulas are used.
% Error = Error X 100

Quantity desired

Smallest quantity = Sensitivity Requirement X 100

Permissible error

Smallest quantity = Maximum Potential error X 100

Permissible error
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  If a certain percentage of error is set and the maximum potential error is known, it is
possible to calculate smallest quantity.

Smallest quantity = Maximum Potential error X 100

Permissible % error

Example
1. What is the smallest quantity that can be weighed with 1% maximum error on a
balance whose sensitivity requirement is 10mg?
2. If the error using a balance is 10mg, what would the percent error be if 300mg were
weighed?
Solution
% Error = Error x 100
Quantity desired
3. A druggist weighed 475mg of drug X on a balance of less accuracy. When checked
on a balance of high accuracy the weight was found to be 445mg calculate the
percentage error in the first weighing? Ans – 6.25%
4. On a prescription balance having sensitivity requirement amount of 0.012g what is
the smallest amount that can be weighed with a maximum potential error of 5%?
Ans – 0.24gm

Weight measurement systems

Two systems of measurement are used
a. metric system
b. Common system
 Apothecaries system
 Avoirdupoies
a) Metric System
- It is simple, uses decimal notation
- Subdivisions and multiples can be represented

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 By: pico – 10-12 deka – 101
nano – 10-9 killo - 103
micro – 10-6 hekto - 102
milli – 10-3 myra - 104
centi – 10-2
deci – 10 -1
b) Common system
- common system is important in
 Reading and interpreting prescriptions
 To buy from whole salers
 To sell OTC drugs in bulk
 In compounding of prescriptions involving apothecagies and avoirdupois system.
Measuring of Liquids
- Amounts of liquids is measured by volumes
- The commonly used dispensing measures are
 Cylinderical graduates
 Conical measure
 Burettes
 Graduated pipettes
 Droppers
 Volumetric flasks
 Conical flasks

Measuring small volumes

- It is important to select the correct equipment when measuring
- The minimum measurable volume for a 10ml conical measure is lml.
- Graduated pipettes can be used for volumes from 5ml down to 0.1ml
- For volumes smaller than this dilution could be made
Aliquot Methods of measuring
 Is technique by which the smallest weight can be weighed with the desired
precision.

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This can be attained by:
 Weighing the larger than needed quantity
 Dilution with inert substance
 Weighing the aliquot portion that is contained the desired quantity.
Steps
1. Determine the smallest weight of a substance that can be weighed with the required
precision.

Smallest Volume = SR
% error

2. Select the multiple of the required quantity

3. Measure the required substance
4. Dilute with inert diluent
5. Measure the aliquot portion containing the required quantity.
Example
1. A prescription calls for 0.5ml of Hcl u sing a 10ml graduated cylinder calibrated from 2
to 10ml. Explain how you would obtain the desired quantity of Hcl by Aliguate
method.
Solution
1. Smallest volume = 2ml (aliquote volume)
2. 4 is choosen as multiple
3. Measure 4 x 0.5 ml of Hcl
4. Multiple x aliquote volume
= 4 x 2ml = 8ml
 Dilute with 6ml of water
5. Measure ¼ of dilution (2ml/6ml)
= ¼ x 2ml = 0.5ml of Hcl
Measuring small mass

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  The aliquot method of weighing is a method by which small quantities of a
substance may be obtained.
- Steps are similar to measuring of small volumes.
Example
1. A prescription balance has a sensitivity requirement of 4 milligrams. Explain
how you would weigh 5 milligrams of atropine sulfate with an accuracy of = 5%,
using lactose as the diluent.
Solution
1. Smallest weight = SR
% error
= 4mg x 100
5%
= 80mg
2. Choose 20 as multiplies
Weight 20 x 5mg = 100g of Atropine sulphate
3. Multiple x aliquote weight
= 20 x 100 = 2000mg
Dilute with 1900mg of lactose
4. Measure 1/20 of dilution (100/2000mg)
= 1/20 x 100mg = 5mg
Measuring of viscous liquids
During measurement of viscous liquids, it is difficult to remove completely from the
measure. Therefore it is advisable to measure, a little bit higher than the required
amount then pour off the required.
Eg. To take 25 ml, measure 30ml and pour off the 25ml, 5ml is left in the measure.
 Burrete may be used for such purpose.
 Emulsions and viscous preparations being difficult to transfer accurately, a tared
container should be used.

To tare a bottle
A volume of water identical to the required amount is measured. Then transferred in to
choosen medicine container marked with upper edge of small adhesive label. After
emptied the preparation is then poured in to the container and made up to volume,
using tare mark as guide.

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Pharmaceutical symbols, Terminologies and Abbreviation
Basic Calculations in pharmacy
Density, Specific gravity and specific volume
The relative weights iof equal volumes of substances are shown b y their densisties and
their specific gravities
Density
- Density is mass per unit volume of a substance
- Density may be calculated by driving mass bay volume
Eg. If 10ml of sulfuric acid weigh 18 g it’s density is
18(g) = 1.8g/ml
10(ml)
Specific Gravity
Specific gravity is a ratio, expressed decimally of the weight of a substance to the weight
of an equal volume of a substance chosen as a standard.
- Spesific gravity may be calcu lated by dividing the weight of a given substance b
y weight of an equal volume of water.
Eg. if lome of sulfuric acid weight 18g, gravity of the acid is
Weight of ome of sulfuric acid 10(g) =1.8
Weight of lome of water 10(g)
Advantages of Specific Gravity
 Since ratio of like quantities, it is an abstract number so doesn’t vary with the table of
measure like density.
Specific gravity of liquids
 To calculate the specific gravity of a liquid, when its weight and volume are known:
Eg. 1 If 54.96ml of an oil weigh 52.78g, what is the specific gravity of the oil?
Solution
54.96ml of water weight 54.96g specific gravity of oil = 52.78(g)
= 54.96(g)
= 0.9603

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  To calculate specific gravity when weight and volume are not known
 Using and volume are not known
- using specific weight of empty bottle
- determine weight of bottle when fixed with liquid whose specific
gravity is to be determined.
Eg. A pycnometer weights 23.66g when filled with water. It weighs 72.95g when
filled with another liquid it weighs 73.56g. What is the specific gravity of the
liquid?
Solution
73.56g – 23.66g = 49.90g of liquid
72.95g – 23.66g = 49.29 of water
Specific gravity of liquid = 49.90(g)
= 49.29(g)
= 1.180
 Displacement or plamment method
- it is based on Archimedes principle
1. A body immersed in a liquid displaces the liquid equal to its volume
 Weight of the liquid) = (wt of plumment) – (wt of plumment in liquid)
 (Weight of water displaced) = (wt of plumment in air) – (wt of plumment in water)

= Wt of liquid displaced
Wt of water displace

Eg. A glass plumment weighs 21.62gm in air 11.4gm when immersed in water and 8.95g
when immersed in H2So4 calculated the sp. gravity of the acid.
Solution
Wt of H2So4 displaced = 21.62g – 8.95g
= 12.67
Wt of H2o displaced = 21.62g – 11.4g
= 10.22

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VH2o = VH2So4
Sp. gravity = wt of H2So4 display
wt of H2o displace
= 12.67
10.22
= 1.24

2.4.2 Percentage Preparations

Percentage – rate per hundred
- how many parts out of hundred
- The ratio in which the numerator is left understood (x% = X/100)
Percentage Preparations
 Percentage concentrations are expressed as follows
a) percent weight in weight (W/W) – express the number of grams of a constituent
in 100g of solution.
- For mixtures of solids
b) percent weight in volume (W/V) – expresses the number of grams of a
constituent in 100ml of solution.
- For solutions or suspensions of solids in liquid is the solvent.
c) Percent volume in volume (V/V) – expresses the number of ml of a constituent
in 100ml of solution.
 If only percent is given without designation, consider the preparation (formulation)
and decide it yourself.
Example
A. Sulfur ointment – 2%
B. Salicylic acid cream – 1%
C. Nacl Solution - 0.9%
D. Ethanol – 99%
E. Iodine tincture – 2%

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 F. Amoxacilline suspension – 5%

2. Decide which of the following systems is w/w, v/v or w/v

A. 1% solution of zinc sulfate (solid) in water
B. An ointment Containing 3% sulfur in petrolatum.
C. 10%b solution of sugar in alcohol
D. 15% Solution of Alcohol in water
3. How many liters of a 2.5% (w/v) solution can be prepared using 42.5g of solute
Solution
25g = 42.5g
100ml ?
170ml = 1.7L
4. Iodine t incture is a 2% (w/v) solution of iodine how many grams of iodine will 40ml of
the tincture contain?
Solution
2g = ?
100ml 40ml
= 0.8g
5. Lanolin contains 72.5% w/w wool fat. The remainder is water. How many milliters of
water are these in 12.0g of lanolin.
Solution
If 72.5% is wool fat water will be
= 100% - 72.5%
= 275%w/w
27.5/g = ?
100g 12g
= 3.3ml
6. How many milliters of a 6.7% v/v solution contain 850 of solute.
(Ans. 12.7ml)

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 7. A gram of a drug dissolves in 12.0ml of a carbon tetracholoride ( CCl4 ). How many
grams of the drug will be contained in 40g of saturated solution? (Sp, gr of CCl4 =
1.5g)
(Ans. 2g)
Ratio Strength
- we use ratio strength for very weak preparations.
- Expressed as ratio a:b
- But a can be any number and b can be any natural number
- It is another way of expressing the percentage of relatively diluted solution
- In ratio the numerator no is always 1 ratio (1:a)  1gm of a constituent
in a ml (w/v)
 1gm of constituent
in ag (w/w)
 1ml of a constituent
In a g (v/w)

Conversion
1. Convert the following percentage in to ratio
a) 0.02%
= 0.02 = 2 = 1 = (1:5000)
100 10000 5,000
b) 0.5%
= 0.5 = 8 = 1 = (1:200)
100 1000 200
2. Convert the following in to percentage
a) 1:500
= 1 x 100 = 0.2%
500
b) 1;4000
= 1 x 100 = 0.25%
4000
3. A certain inject able contains 2gm of a drug perml of solution? (1:500)
4. Lidocaine HCl. Solution is used for spinal anaesthesia in Conc. Of 1:1500 (w/v). How
many ml of lidocain HCl are contained in 20ml vial of solution (Ans. 18.3mg)

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5 A vaginal foam contain 1:1000 (w/v) diensterol. How many ml of the vaginal foam can
be prepared using 200gm of diensteol. ( Amd. 2000ml)

Dilution, concentration and reconstitution

 Dilution can be done by
1. Addition of diluent
2. By admixture with solution or liquid preparation of lower conc.
 Pharmaceutical product can be concentrated
1. Addition of active ingredient
2. By evaporation of the vehicle
3. By admixture with solutions of higher concentration.
Stock solution – strong solution of known construction from which heavier
solutions are made conveniently.
Calculations
 Dilution equation

Conc. dilution before X Quantity before dilution = Conc. After X quantity after dilution

 C1V1 = C2V2
 C 1 = V1
C2 V2
Examples
1. If 400ml of a 20% (w/v) solution is diluted to 2L. what will be the percentage
strength?
Solution
C1V1 = C2V2
400ml X 20% (w/v) = 2000ml X C2
C2 = 4% (w/v)
2. If a 0.067% (w/v) methyl benzoate lotion is diluted with an equal volume of water.
What will be the ratio strength of the dilution

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 C1V1 = C2 V2, V2 =2V1
C1V1 = C22V1
C 2 = C 1 V1
2V1

C2 = 0.067 %
2
C2 = 0.033 %
3. How many grams of Nacl should be used in preparing 500ml of stok solution such
that 50ml diluted to 1000ml will yield 0.3% (w/v) for irrigation. (Ans. 30g)
Trituration
Def1 Dilution of potent medicinal substances.
 Reasons for trituration
o Formulation difficulty
o Measuring weighing difficulty
o Measuring weighing difficulty
Def 2 – Reducing substances to fine particle using mortar and pestel
 In pharmaceutical calculation, we use the first definition.
Example
1. How many grams of a 1:10 dilution of chlochicine should be used in preparing 100
capsules. If each capsule contains 0.5mg of colchicines.
Solution
Total Colchince needed
= 0.mg/cap X 100 cap
= 50mg
1gm = 50mg
10gm ?
= 500mg

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 Allegation
 An arthemetical method of solving problems involving the mixing of two or
more solutions of different percentage strength
Two types: - 1. Allegation medical
2. Allegation alternate
1. Allegation medial
 The method by which a weighed average strength of two or more substances of
known strength of two or more substances of known strength and quantity is easily
calculated.

C (final cone) = q1a + q2b + q3c…

q1 + q2 + q3

Example
1. A pharmacist mixes 200g of 10% ichthamol ointment, 450g of 5% ichthamol ointment
and 1000g of petrolatum. What is the percentage of ichthamol in the finished product.
Solution
C = q1a + q2b + q3c
q1 +q2 + q3
= 200 x 10% +450g × 5% + 1000 X 0%
200 + 450 + 1000
= 2.58% (w/w)
2. What is the percentage strength (v/v) of alcohol in a mizture of 300ml of 40% (v/v)
alcohol, 100ml of 60% alcohol and 1000ml of 70% Alcohol. (Ans. 62.86%)

2. Allegation Alternate

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 A method by which the number of parts of two or more components of a given strength
are calculated when they are to be mixed to prepare a mixture of desired strength.

Steps

a% b-c %

Percent given Percent

C%desired Proportional parts
required
95 % (10 + 20) = 30
B% a-c %
60 70% 25

50 25 Where a – Higher conc.

available
b – smaller conc. available
c – desired conc. to prepare
x – No of parts of a
y – No of parts of b
Examples
1. In what proportion should alcohol of 95% and 50% strangtrh be mixed to make 70%
alcohol

Solution
95% 20 %

X = 20 %
70%
Y = 25%
 4:5
50% 25 %

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2. The solvent for extraction of drug is 70% alcohol. The pharmacist used 95%, 60% and
50% alcohol to prepare it prepare 16,000ml of 70% alcohol.
Solution
 Here the two lots containing less (60% & 50%) than the desired percentage may be
separately linked to the higher (95%) than the desired percentage.
 30 : 25 : 25
6 :5 :5
No of ml = No of parts X total quantity
Total parts
No of ml of 95 % = 6 X 16,000ml
16
= 600ml
No of ml of 50% = 5 X 16,000 ml
16
= 500ml
3. In what proportion should 20% benzocaine ointment be mixed with an ointment
basse to produce a 2.5% benzocaine ointment?
4. In what proportion may a manufacturing pharmacist mix 20%, 15%, 5% and 3%
zinc oxide ointments to produce a 10% ointment? (Ans. 7:5:5:10:5)
5. How many milliliters of 50% (w/v) dextrose solution and have many milliliters of
5%(w/v) dextrose solution are required to prepare 4500ml of a 10% (w/v) solution?
(Ans. 500ml of 50% and 4000ml of 5% solution)
2.4.4 Reducing and Enlaring Formulas
The formula obtained from official references such as pharma copocia for
compounding or manufacturing is termed Master formula.
 Enlarged or reduced formula is called working formula.
i. Formulas that specify amount of each ingredient usually two steps are taken
a. Finding multiplies = amount desired
Amount in MF
b. Enlarged (Reduced) = (Amount of each ingridiet) X multiplies formula

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 ii. Formulas that specify proportionally parts a gain takes two steps;
a. Find multiplies = Amount desired
Total parts in MF
b. Working formula = (No of parts of each ingredient) X multiplier
Example
G What quantity of each ingredient should be used for each prescription
1. Rx BBl  250ml
Ethanol amine  5gm
Oleic acid  20gm
Water qs(ad) 1000ml
Mitt 180ml
Solution:
Multiplier = Amount desired = 180 = 0.18
Total amount in MF 1000
BBl  250 X 0.18 = 45ml
Ethanolamine  5g X 0.18 = 0.9g
Oleic acid  20g X 0.18 = 3.6g
Water  1000 X 0.18 ad 180ml
2. RX
Benzoic acid  6gr
Salicylic acid  3gr
Emulsifying ointment  91gr
Mitt 1000g
Solution
Multiplier = 1000g = 10
100g
Enlagged formula
Benzoic acid = 6gr X 10 = 60gr
Salicylic acid = 3gr X 10 = 30gr
Emulsifying ointment = 91g X 100 = 910gr
2.4.5 Isotonic Solutions

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Isotonic Solutions - are solutions having some Osmotic pressure as body fluids.
 Two solutions having the same osmotic pressure is said to be iso-osmotic
 Many solutions designed to be mixed with body fluids should have the same osmotic
pressure for greater confort, efficacy and safety purposes.
Examples: of solution which needs isotonicity:
1. Ophtalmic solution
2. Nasal Solution
3. All parentral dosage forms (injection)
4. Irrigation enema
Preparation of Isotonic Solutions
 The freazing point of blood serum and lachrymal fluid is -0.52oC.
 The freezing point of one gram molecule of non-electolyte in 1000ml of water is -
1.860C.
 So the weight of any non-electrolyte that dissolved in 1000ml of water and isotonic to
body fluid is calculated as follows.
860C = M of non-electrolyte
0.520C wt of isotonic to body fluid

t of isotonic fluid = 0.52 X Mt

1.86OC

Eg. Boric acid (Mt = 61.8)

t of boric acid = 0.52 X 61.8g
1.86c
= 17.3 gram
 Since Osmotic pressure depends on the no of species, for electrolyte substances it
depends on dissociation factor (i)

2.4.6 Some calculations involving

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 hydrogen ion concentration and PH
PH
Is the negative logarithm of hydrogen ion concentration
PH = -log [H+ ] or 1/[H+]
Buffer Solution
Is an aqueous solution that resist the change in PH change up on addition of small amount
of base or acid.
Eg. weak acid and its corresponding salt
- CH3CooH – CH3CooNa
Weak base and its corresponding salt.
- NH4 and NH4Cl
Buffer action – is the ability of a buffer solution to resist PH change
Buffer Capacity - is the measure of efficiency of the buffer solution.
 For weak acid, HA
HA H++A-
Ka = [H+] [A-]
[HA]
[H+] = ka[HA]
[A-]
- log [H+] = log ka + log [HA]
[A-]

PH =Pka – log [Acid]

[Salt]

Hunderson hassle batch equation

Example1. What is the PH of a buffer solution prepared with 0.05m sodium borate and
0.005 boricacid (pka = 9.24)

Solution
PH = Pka + log Salt

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 acid
= 9.24 + log 0.05M = 10.24
0.005M
2.4.7. Calculation of Doses
It is the pharmacist’s obligation to check the dosage of all drugs dispensed on prescription
in order to prevent accidental over dosage.
Dosage – the giving of medicine or other therapeutic agent in a prescribed amount.
 The pharmacist is expected to clearly interpret three things from prescription and tell
his patient regarding dosage.
1. The number of dosage units in each dose
(e.g. 1 capsule, 2 teaspoonfuls, 15 drops)
2. The frequency with which the medication is to be taken (e.g. three times a day,
every four hours).
3. Additional, clarifying instructions
(e.g. after meals, with water)

Abbreviation related to dosage

Latin Abbreviation Nearing
d day
h hours
q every
q.d every day
bid twice a day
tid three times a day
qid four times a day
h.s at bed time
state immediately at one

 Translate each of the following signas in to clear English:

A) Apply ung bid.
 Apply this ointment twice a day

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 B) Tab II stat, tab I q4h
 Take 2 tablets at once then take one tablet every four hours.
C) Soak fat four times a day
 Soak fat four times a day
Dose calculation can be done using the following 2 formulas

Number of doses = Total amount

Size of dose

Size of doses = Total amount

Number of doses

Examples
1. If the dose of a drug is 200mg, how many doses are contained in
10grams.
Solution
No of doses = Total amount
Size of dose
= 10.000mg
200mg
50 doses
2) How many milliliters of a liquid medicine would provide a patient with 2 tablespoonfuls
twice a day for 8 days.
Solution
Size of dose = Total amount
No of doses
Total amount = No of doses X site dose
= 2tablespoonful X 16
= 30ml X 16
= 480ml

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3) If 0.05 of a substance is used in preparing 125 tablets, how many g are represented in
each tablet?
Solution
= 0.05g
125
= 400 x 10-6 = 400 g
4) if a preparation contains 5g of a drug in 500ml, how many grams are contained in each
table spoonful?
(Ans. 0.15g)

Oral Liquids doses

 Pharmaceutical manufactures use the 5ml, 15ml teaspoonful as basis for the
formulation of oral liquid preparations
Household measure Capacity
1 teaspoonful 5
1 dessertspoonful 10
1 tablespoonful 15
1 glassful 240

 For potent liquid the “drop” is used as a measure. But “drop” doesn’t represent a
definite quantity. Since drops of different liquids vary greatly.
 The official dropper is calibrated to deliver 20 drops of water per ml.
Calibration of drop – A dropper may be calibrated by counting the drops of liquid as they
fall in to a graduate until a measurable volume is obtained.
Example
1. How many doses would be prescribed in each dose of a liquid medicine if 15ml
contained 6 doses? The dispensing dropper calibrates 32 drops per ml.
Solution
15ml = 15 X 32 drops = 480 drops
Site of dose = 480(drops) = 8drops
60

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 2. A dropper was found to deliver 3.0ml of saline solution in 75 drops. If 14 drops
were put in test tube how many ml would it be.
Solution
3ml = 75 drops
? = 14 drops
= 14drops X 3ml
75 drops
= 0.56ml = 0.56cc
2.4.9 Calculating peadiatric doses
1. Based on age
 Young’s rule

Age X Adult dose = Dose of children

Age +12

2. Based on weight
- The usu al doses for drugs are considered generally suitable for 70k.g (150lb)
indivisuals.
 Clark’s rule

Weight in lb X Adult dose = children dose

150 lb

3. Based on surface area

- Dose to be given depends on factors, which are more related to surface area than
to age or weight.
Rules:
i. Surface area related to weight
BSA of given weight X Adult dose = Approximate dose
1.73m2 (Normal BSA) for children

ii. Body surface area related to weight and height.

- This is more precise, because it includes both weight and height as factors influencing
body surface area from nomogram.

BSA of children m2 X Adult dose = Dose for

1.73m2 children

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* for lean or obese adult, dose can be calculated as follows:

BSA of Abnormal adult X usual Adult = Dose for /can/obese

1.73m2 dose adult

Examples:
1. If the dose of a drug is 0.25mg/kg, how many milligrams should be administered to a
man weight 175.lb?
Solution
1kg = 2.2lb
? = 175lb
= [175lb X 1kg] X 0.25mg/kg
2.2lb
= 20 mg
2. If the usual adult dose of an injection is 0.1 ml. What is the dose for a child 12 years
old?
Solution
Use young’s rule:
Children dose = Age X Adult dose
Age +12
= 12 X 0.1ml
12+12
= 0.05ml
3. If the usual adult dose of Phenobarbital is 15mg, what is the dose of a child who is 8
years old? (Ans. 6mg)
4. If a usual adult dose of a drug is 3grams. What is the dose for a child weighing 40lb
Solution - use Clark’s rule
40 lb X 3g = 0.8g
150lb
5. If adult dose of a drug is 75mg, what would be the dose for a child weighing 40lb and
measuring 32 inch in height? Use body surface method.
Solution
From the nomogram, the BSA = 0.60m2
= 0.60(m2) X 75mg
1.73 (m2)
= 26mg
6. The usual pediatric dose of ephedrine sulfate is stated as 25mg per square meter.
Using the nomogram
Solution
25mg X 0.6 =15mg
7. The dosage of a drug is mg lm 2, twice a day, for 1week. How many milligrams of the
drug should the patient take altogether in the coarse of treatment? Assume that the
patient is an average adult. (Ans. 364mg).

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