Mathematic of pharmacy
By: Sri Yuliasmi
RATIO
Ratios represent the relationship between two
numbers. Another way to define a ratio is the
comparison of the magnitude of two like values
(3:5; 2:7).
Example:
1. Dispense Demeclomycin 250 mg tablet per dose.
Pharmacy stocks 500 mg tablets.
2. Dispense Oxybutnin 20 mg per dose. Pharmacy
stocks 5 mg/5 mL, 1 pint bottles
PROPORTIONS,
A proportion is defined as an expression of two
equal ratios. A proportion, therefore, can be
expressed as two ratios (numerals or fractions)
separated by two colons. It can also be expressed
with an equal sign instead of the two colons
E.g :
EXERCISE
Use the proportion rule to solve for needed dosage in
the following problems.
1. A prescription calls for 225 mg dose of amoxicillin every 6
hr for 10 days. The pharmacy carries 125 mg/5 mL
concentration.
How much is needed for each dose?
How much is needed to fill the entire prescription?
2. Heparin comes in 5000 units/mL concentration; the patient
needs a dose of 2000 units. How many mLs are needed?
3. A patient needs 550 mg of amikacin. The pharmacy carries
500 mg/2 mL vials. How much is needed for this dose?
PERCENTS
The word percent means “per 100.” When a number is
represented as a percent (%), it is a relationship between that
number and 100. In other words, a percent is a part, or fraction,
of a whole. Percents are represented in many different forms.
They can be fractions, ratios, or decimals
Eg. An 82% represents 82 parts of a total of 100 parts. Its decimal
equivalent is 0.82 and its fraction is 82/100 . The decimal is made
by simply moving the decimal point two positions to the left.
Betamethasone 0.1% cream, 120 g tube is dispensed to a patient.
How much betamethasone is in the 120 g tube
EXERCISE
Determine the total milligrams in each of the
following medications.
1. Clindamycin 2% w/w cream 15 g tube
2. Gentamicin 0.1% w/w ointment 20 g tube
3. Combine 50 g of zinc oxide with 400 g of an ointment
base. What is the %w/w?
4. Add 150 mL water to 7.5 g of amoxicillin powder.
What is the percent strength?
Applications of logarithms in pharmaceutical
calculation
A. Half-life period
Where k is disintegration constant and can be calculated by
Example:
Drug C has a half-life of 8 hours. If the initial plasma level of the drug is,
given as a single dose , is 4800mg/L, how long will it take for the plasma
level to fall to 180mg/L?
Drug E has a half-life of 16 hours. If the initial plasma level of the drug,
given as a single dose, is 512mg/L, how long will it take for the plasma
level to fall to 24mg/L?
B. pH Equation
