PHARMACEUTICAL CALCULATION

PHARMACEUTICAL CALCULATION
Introduction

Basic arithmetic is always involved in some manner in the solving of pharmaceutical calculations. Perfecting basic mathematical functions will help to attain the goal of 100 percent accuracy desired in pharmacy. Because of the need for 100 %, no partial credit will be given for setting a problem up correctly if the answer is incorrect. In pharmacy, the correct answer is more important than the method.
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COMMON FRACTIONS, DECIMAL FRACTIONS AND PERCENT

A Half can be written...

As a fraction: As a decimal: As a percentage:
1/ 2

0.5 50%

Percent 1% 5% 10% 12% 20% 25% 331/3% 50% 75% 80% 90% 99% 100% 125% 150%

Decimal 0.01 0.05 0.1 0.125 0.2 0.25 0.333... 0.5 0.75 0.8 0.9 0.99 1 1.25 1.5

Fraction
1/ 100 1/ 20 1/ 10 1/ 8 1/ 5 1/ 4 1/ 3 1/ 2 3/ 4 4/ 5 9/ 10 99/ 100

5/ 4 3/ 2

CONVERSION
From Percent to Decimal To convert from percent to decimal: divide by 100, and remove the "%" sign. The easiest way to divide by 100 is to move the decimal point 2 places to the left. So:

From Percent

To Decimal move the decimal point 2 places to the left, and remove the "%" sign.

From Decimal to Percent To convert from decimal to percent: multiply by 100, and add a "%" sign. The easiest way to multiply by 100 is to move the decimal point 2 places to the right.
From Decimal To Percent move the decimal point 2 places to the right, and add the "%" sign.
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From Fraction to Decimal The easiest way to convert a fraction to a decimal is to divide the top number by the bottom number (divide the numerator by the denominator in mathematical language) Example: Convert 2/5 to a decimal Divide 2 by 5: 2 5 = 0.4 Answer: 2/5 = 0.4

From Decimal to Fraction To convert a decimal to a fraction needs a little more work. Example: To convert 0.75 to a fraction
Steps First, write down the decimal "over" the number 1 Then multiply top and bottom by 10 for every number after the decimal point (10 for 1 number, 100 for 2 numbers, etc) (This makes it a correctly formed fraction) Then Simplify the fraction Example
0.75

0.75 100

1 100

75 3

/ 100 /4

From Fraction to Percentage

The easiest way to convert a fraction to a percentage is to divide the top number by the bottom number. then multiply the result by 100, and add the "%" sign. Example: Convert 3/8 to a percentage First divide 3 by 8: 3 8 = 0.375, Then multiply by 100: 0.375 x 100 = 37.5 Add the "%" sign: 37.5%
Answer: 3/8 = 37.5%

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From Percentage to Fraction To convert a percentage to a fraction, first convert to a decimal (divide by 100), then use the steps for converting decimal to fractions (like above). Example: To convert 80% to a fraction

Steps Convert 80% to a decimal (=80/100): Write down the decimal "over" the number 1

Example 0.8 0.8 / 1

Then multiply top and bottom by 10 for every number after the decimal point (10 for 1 number, 100 for 2 numbers, etc) (This makes it a correctly formed fraction) Then Simplify the fraction

0.8 10

1 10

/ 10 /5
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EXPONENTIAL NOTATION

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There are 602,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 molecules in 18 grams of water. A shorter way of writing the same number is by using exponential notation to show all those zeros as a number to the power of ten: 6.02 x 1023 is the shorter way of representing all those molecules. Such a number can be read "Six point zero two times ten to the twenty third." A small number such as 0.0000000057 can be written as 5.7 x 10-9. Such a number can be read "Five point seven times ten to the minus nine."

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To remember which way to move (left or right), remember that negative exponents (like -4 in the example) represent very small numbers - numbers that are less than one. As a result, they will always start with zero. Positive exponents (like 4 in the example), give numbers bigger than one. On scientific calculators, it is sometimes a bit of a trick to type these numbers in.

To type 104, one way of doing it is to type ten: Then use the xy button and type 4 The result should be ten thousand:

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But there is a quicker way, using a special button which has been designed especially for exponential notation.
To type 10-4, type a one* and then hit the x 10x button: Can't find this button on your calculator? See the next box. You should get this: Now type a four This number means 1 x 104 which is the same as 104. If your calculator works like this, you can skip the next box. *Why did we type 1 and not 10? Let's see what happens when we try ten. If you press =, you get That's because the first screen (10.04) means 10 x 104. This number is the same a writing 105 which is 100000.
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Other calculators have "EXP" or "EE" buttons on them for scientific notation. Certain calculators have a button which can be pushed directly, like the one on the right, others have this function available as a two-key operation. On some calculators, you have to push the 2nd command (or Shift button) first. Here is an example: On these the expression "x 10x" is replaced by the letter "E". Let's take an example such as 6.23 x 1023 times 4.11. Type in 6.23 then the EE button, then 23. After that, type times 4.11 and Enter. Here is what it would look like on the calculator's screen: Notice how the expression "x 10" has been replaced by the letter "E". This is to save space on the small screen and to avoid confusion with multiplication operations. The letter "E" is placed there to remind us that this number is written in "Exponential notation". For a calculator, 6.23E23 equals 6.23 x 1023. The answer above, 2.56E24 would be written on your paper 2.56 x 1024.
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Let's stay with calculators which have only one line on the screen which do not put the letter "E" at all but rather put the exponent up in the right hand corner of the screen in a smaller format. A number such as 5.98 x 10-6 looks like this: How do you type in numbers like this? Let's try 0.0000371, which is written in scientific notation as 3.71 x 10-5. First, type in three point seven one: Next, push the x 10x button to get into the scientific notation mode: To make the exponent negative, push the +/- button: which on some calculators is a negative sign in parentheses: (-). Important: do NOT use the minus sign, this is a totally different operation!
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Type in five to get the final number: This is how your calculator says 3.71 x 10-5. If you get an answer like this from a calculation, be sure you write it the way humans do (3.71 x 10-5) and not the way your calculator does (3.7105 or 3.71E-05). Written on a piece of paper, the number 3.71-05 is equivalent to 0.00142 and not what we want, 0.0000371. It's obvious that these are completely different numbers! A more simple example is that 5 x 102 is not the same as 52. The first equals 500 and the second equals 25.
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RATIO AND PROPORTION, VARIATIONS AND DIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS

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TEMPERATURE CONVERSIONS
FORMULA The following formula works for converting both ways; that is, conversions can be made from Fahrenheit to Centigrade or from Centigrade to Fahrenheit using this formula: 5F = 9C + 160
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e.g :Convert 140F to C: 5F = 9C + 160 (formula) 5(140) = 9C + 160 700 = 9C + 160 700 - 160 = 9C 540 = 9C 60 = C
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RATIO AND PROPORTION

DEFINITIONS a. Ratio: A ratio is the relationship of two quantities. A ratio may be expressed as a ratio (1:8, 1:200, etc.) or as a fraction (1/8, 1/200, and so forth.). b. Proportion: A proportion is the equality of two ratios. For example: 1 = 3 2 6
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RATIO AND PROPORTION

For example: If one aspirin tablet contains five grams of aspirin, then how many grams would be required to make 40 tablets?

IF
Then

1 tablet contains 5 grams of aspirin

40 tablet contains X grams of aspirin

So

X = 5 grams x 40 tablets 1 tablet

= 200 grams

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RATIO AND PROPORTION

Another example: How many milliliters of tetracycline suspension, which contains 250 mg of tetracycline in each five milliliters, must be administered to give a patient 150 mg?

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The proportion should be as follows: 250 mg = 150 mg 5 milliliters X milliliters 250 (X) = 5 (150) 250X = 750 X = 750 250 X = 3 ml
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Example problem: How many grams of potassium permanganate (KMnO4) are needed to make this prescription?

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Before calculation, the prescription must be analyzed. -the pharmacist should dispense a solution of potassium permanganate in distilled water. -the solution should have a strength equivalent to 1 gram per 5000 milliliters - and the pharmacist should dispense 120 milliliters of the solution.
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The expression of strength will be the first ratio of the proportion: 1 gram = _______________ 5000 ml Assign the X value: 1 gram = X gram 5000 ml Find the other known factor: 1 gram = X gram 5000 ml 120 ml Then, cross-multiply: 5000 (x) = 1 (120) 5000 x = 120 Solve for X: X = 120 5000 X = 0.024 Refer to the proportion for the units of X: X = 0.024 gram #

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Practical Exercises.
Solve the following problems and check your answers. (1) If 50 tablets contain 0.625 gram of an active ingredient, how many tablets can be prepared from 31.25 grams of the ingredient? (2) If 50 tablets contain 1.5 gram of active ingredient, how much of the ingredient will 1375 tablets contain? (3) If 3 doses of a liquid preparation contain 7.5 gram of a substance, how many doses will be needed to give a patient 80 grams of the substance?
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answers
(1) 2500 tablets (2) 41.25 gm (3) 32 doses

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REDUCTION AND ENLARGEMENT OF FORMULAS

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REDUCTION AND ENLARGEMENT OF FORMULAS

INTRODUCTION Most of the preparations made in a pharmacy are from proven formulas that have been tested and are listed in the Pharmacopeia/National Formulary as official formulas. These formulas list the amount of each ingredient needed to make a certain amount of the preparation. It is necessary to reduce or enlarge a formula to satisfy the needs of your pharmacy.
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1-42.

RATIO AND PROPORTION METHOD a. The formula:

IF Amount of each ingredient the official formula Total quantity of the official formula desired THEN *Amount of each in = Ingredient needed Total quantity

*NOTE: Most of the time, the unknown factor will be the Amount of each ingredient needed.

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Sample Problem:
Calculate the amount of each ingredient needed to make 240 ml of Peppermint Spirit. Peppermint Spirit
Peppermint Oil............ 100 ml Peppermint Powder.........10 g Alcohol.....qsad.......... 1000 ml

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Copying Formula
e.g. 1 Peppermint Spirit
Rx
For 1000 ml For 240 ml

Peppermint Oil Peppermint Powder Alcohol.....qsad

100 ml 10 g 1000 ml

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(1) Solve first for the amount of peppermint oil needed: IF THEN 100 ml Peppermint oil = X ml peppermint oil 1000 ml spirit 240 ml spirit (2) Cross multiply: (1000) X = 100 (240) 1000 X = 24000 X = 24 ml of peppermint oil

(3) To solve for the amount of peppermint powder needed: IF THEN 10 g peppermint powder = X g peppermint powder 1000 ml of spirit 240 ml of spirit (4) Cross multiply: (1000)X = 10 (240) 1000 X = 2400 X = 2.4 g of Peppermint powder
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Reduction of formula
e.g 2 Calculate the amount of each ingredients needed to produce 100 ml of Codeine Linctus B.P.C.

Refer to formula in B.P.C, then copy; note that in BPC, the final volume is 1000 ml; - reduction of formula.
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Rx
Codeine phosphate

1000 ml For 100 ml

3g

Tartrazine compound solution

Benzoic acid Chloroform spirit Distilled water

10 ml
20 ml 20 ml 20 ml

Lemon syrup
Syrup B.P. to

200 ml
1000 ml
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Rx
Codeine phosphate

1000 ml For 100 ml

3g 0.3 g

Tartrazine compound solution

Benzoic acid Chloroform spirit Distilled water

10 ml
20 ml 20 ml 20 ml

1.0 ml
2.0 ml 2.0 ml 2.0 ml

Lemon syrup
Syrup B.P. to

200 ml
1000 ml

20.0 ml
100.0 ml
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Note that Codeine phosphate is in powder form; First dissolve codeine phosphate in water Then add in other ingredients Finally add syrup B.P to 100 ml (final volume)

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Enlargement of formulas
Rx
Light Kaolin Light Magnesium Trisilicate 2g 0.5 g

For 250 ml

Sodium bicarbonate
Peppermint emulsion concentrate Chloroform double strength Distilled water to

0.5 g
0.25 ml 5 ml 10 ml
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Enlargement of formulas
Rx
Light Kaolin Light Magnesium Trisilicate 2g 0.5 g

Untuk 250 ml 50 g
12.5 g

Sodium bicarbonate
Peppermint emulsion concentrate Chloroform double strength Distilled water to

05 g
0.25 ml 5 ml

12.5 g
6.25 ml 125 ml

10 ml to 250 ml

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Calculation of Concentration in Percentage

Term percent (%)refers to

by the hundreds or in a hundreds Also can be expressed in ratio

50% means 50 parts in 100.

In pharmaceutical; 3 types of percentage

Weight-in-volume (w/v)

Volume-in-volume (v/v)
Weight-in-weight (w/w)
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Definition of Percentage
According to USP
% w/v the number of grams of a constituent in 100 ml of solution/liquid preparation. the number of millimeters of a constituent in 100 mL of solution/liquid preparation.

% v/v

% w/w

the number of grams of a constituent in 100 g of solution or preparation.

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Definition of Percentage
If a concentration of a preparation only be written as % (without w/v or v/v or w/w) - the percentage should be considered as % w/v

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Example of percentage
1%
1 part in 100 ml of solution - 1 grams of solute in sufficient amount of solvent to produce 100 ml preparation.

* note that 1 % is NOT 1 gram of solute in 100 ml of solvent.

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Calculation of percentage
1:400 1 x 100 % = 0.25 % 400 1:1000 1 x 100 % = 0.1 % 1000 2:2500 ? 4:10,000 ?
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Calculation of percentage w/v

Calculate the amount of Sodium Chloride needed to produce 1.5 L of Sodium Chloride 0.9% Solution.
Answer: 0.9% - 0.9 g of NaCl in 100 ml of solution In 100 ml; contains 0.9 g NaCl In 1500 ml; contains ? g NaCl
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Therefore: In 1500 ml 0.9 g x 1500 ml 100 = 13.5 g

Amount Sodium Chloride needed is 13.5 g

- 13.5 g NaCl to be completely dissolved in a small part of water, then add the remaining water up to final volume (1500 ml)
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w/v practice problems

How many grams of potassium permanganate should be used in compounding the following prescription?

Rx Potassium permanganate Purified water ad Sig. As directed 0.02 % 250.0 ml

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Answer: 0.05 g

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w/v practice problems

How many grams of dextrose are required to prepare 4200 ml of 5% solution?

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Answer: 210 g

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Calculation of percentage v/v

How many milliliters of liquefied phenol should be used in compounding the following prescription? Rx
Liquefied Phenol Calamine lotion ad Sig. For external use. 2.5 % 240.0 ml

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Answer
Volume (ml) x strength = milliliters of active ingredients 240 ml x 2.5 ml = 6 ml 100 ml

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e.g: 4 ml of an active drug are used to prepare 250 ml of a certain lotion. What was the % v/v of the active drug in the lotion? Answer: 250 ml 4 ml X

100 % X%
= 1.6 %

= 100 % x 4 ml 250 ml

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Practice problem (% v/v)

Peppermint spirit contains 10 % v/v of peppermint oil. What volume of the spirit will contain 75 ml peppermint spirit?

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Answer: 750 ml

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Percentage Weight in Weight

%(w/w) - the number of grams of a constituent in 100 g of solution or preparation.
Rx Solute Sovent to produce 1g 100 g

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Calculation of Percentage w/w

e.g 1 How many grams of a drug should be used to prepare 240 g of a 5 % (w/w) solution in water? Answer: Weight of solution (g) x % = g of solute 240 g x 5g = 12 g 100 g

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Calculation of Percentage w/w

e.g: 2 If 1.5 kg of a solution contain 75 g of a drug substance, what is the percentage strength (w/w) of the solution?
Answer: 1.5 kg 1500 g 1500 g 75 g = 100 % x% ; x = 5 % (w/w)

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