Self-assessment questions for trituration:

Q 5.1: Calculate how to make 20 x 120 mg powders, each containing 0.5 mg of colchicine:
Assume that the balance has a minimum weighable quantity of 100 mg.
Formula for 20 powders:
Colchicine 0.5 mg x 20 = 10 mg
Lactose 2390 mg
Total 120 x 20 = 2400 mg

If we apply 1 in 10 dilution:
Trituration A:
Colchicine 100 mg
Lactose 900 mg
Total 1000 mg

Trituration B:
Mixture A 100 mg (contains 10 mg colchicine)
Lactose 2300 mg
Total 2400 mg

The answer could also be written in this way:

Weigh 100 mg of colchicine, dilute with 900 mg of lactose, take 100 mg of the mixture, and
make up to 2400 mg by adding 2300 mg of lactose.
Q 5.2: Calculate how to make 25 x 100 mg powders, each containing 2 mg of carbachol:
Assume that the balance has a minimum weighable quantity of 100 mg.
Formula for 25 powders:
Carbachol 2 mg x 25 = 50 mg
Lactose 2450 mg
Total 100 x 25 = 2500 mg

If we apply 1 in 10 dilution:
Trituration A:
Carbachol 100 mg
Lactose 900 mg
Total 1000 mg

Trituration B:
Mixture A 100 mg (contains 10 mg carbachol)
So take from mixture A 500 mg (contains 50 mg carbachol).
Lactose 2000 mg
Total 2500 mg

The answer could also be written in this way:

Weigh 100 mg of carbachol, dilute with 900 mg of lactose, take 500 mg of the mixture, and
make up to 2500 mg by adding 2000 mg of lactose.