International System of Units

Pharmaceutical Calculation
Objectives

• Demonstrate an understanding of the International System of Units

• Convert measures within the International System of Units

• State equivalent measures and complete conversions between the International

System of Units and other systems of measure used in pharmacy

• Apply the International System of Units correctly in calculations

Introduction International System of Units (SI)

• Formerly called metric system

• Base units:
• Length = Meter
• Weight = Kilogram
• Volume =Liter
Guidelines for Correct Use

• Two symbols for microgram • Leading zero should be used before all
− mcg decimals
− μg − 0.5 mg
− NOT .5 mg
• Decimals are used, not fractions • Trailing zeros should not be placed after
whole numbers
- 5.25 mg − 5 mg
- NOT 5 ¼ mg − NOT 5.0 mg
Common Conversions

• Length
− 1 m = 100 cm • Weight
− 100 cm = 1000 mm − 1 g = 1000 mg
− 1 g = kg
• Volume − 1 mg = 1000 mcg
− 1 L = 1000 mL
Useful Equivalents

Ansel, H. C. (2009) Phamaceutical Calculations (13th Ed.). Philadelphia:Lippincott

Williams & Wilkins, and Wolters Kluwer Publishers
SI Prefixes

Ansel, H. C. (2009) Phamaceutical Calculations (13th Ed.). Philadelphia:Lippincott

Williams & Wilkins, and Wolters Kluwer Publishers
Practice Problem 1: Reducing SI Units

• By decimal shift
− Reduce 9876 milligrams to grams
• To convert from smaller to larger number shift the decimal to the LEFT
• 9876 mg =9.876 g

− Reduce liters to microliters

• To convert from larger to smaller number shift the decimal to the RIGHT
• 2.525 L = 2525 mL = 2,525,000 mcL
Practice Problem 2: Reducing SI Units

•  Reduce 85 microgram to centigram

• By ratio and proportion: (KNOW 1 cg = 10000mcg)

.
x = 0.00085 cg
Practice Problem 2: Reducing SI Units

•  Reduce 85 micrograms to centigrams

− By dimensional analysis: (KNOW 1 cg = mcg)

85 mcg x = 0.00085 cg
Practice Problem 3: Addition

• Reduce to common denomination then add or subtract

• Add 1 kg, 250 mg, and 7.5 g
− 1 kg = 1000 g
− 250 mg = 0.25 g

1000 g
0.25 g
+ 7.5 g
1007.75 g
Practice Problem 4: Subtraction

• Reduce to common denomination then add or subtract

• Subtract 2.5 mg from 4.85 g
− 2.5 mg = 0.0025 g

4.85 g
- 0.0025 g
4.8475 g
Practice Problem 4: Multiplication

•  Multiply 820 mL by 12.5 and express the result in liters

820 mL x 12.5 = 10250 mL

10250 mL x = 10.25 L
Practice Problem 4: Division

•  Divide 0.465 g by 15 and express the result in milligrams

= 0.031 g

0.031 g x = 31 mg
QUESTIONS?
Problem 1

A liquid contains 0.25 mg of a substance per milliliter. How many grams of the substance
will 3.5 L contain?

Ansel, H. C. (2009) Phamaceutical Calculations (13th Ed.). Philadelphia:Lippincott

Williams & Wilkins, and Wolters Kluwer Publishers
Problem 2

Aspirin tablets generally contain 325 mg of aspirin. How many such tablets may be
prepared from the 5 kg of aspirin?

Ansel, H. C. (2009) Phamaceutical Calculations (13th Ed.). Philadelphia:Lippincott

Williams & Wilkins, and Wolters Kluwer Publishers
Problem 3

Norgestrel and ethinyl estradiol tablets are available containing 0.5 mg of norgestrel and
50 mcg of ethinyl estradiol. How many grams of each ingredient would be used in
making 10,000 tablets?

Ansel, H. C. (2009) Phamaceutical Calculations (13th Ed.). Philadelphia:Lippincott

Williams & Wilkins, and Wolters Kluwer Publishers
Problem 4

A patient is instructed to take three 50 mcg tablets of pergolide mesylate (PERMAX)

daily. How many mg of the drug would the patient receive weekly?

Ansel, H. C. (2009) Phamaceutical Calculations (13th Ed.). Philadelphia:Lippincott

Williams & Wilkins, and Wolters Kluwer Publishers
Problem 5

A prefilled syringe contains 20 mg of a drug in 2 mL of solution. How many micrograms

of drug would be administered by an injection of 0.5 mL of the solution?

Ansel, H. C. (2009) Phamaceutical Calculations (13th Ed.). Philadelphia:Lippincott

Williams & Wilkins, and Wolters Kluwer Publishers
Problem 6

If an albuterol inhaler contains 18 mg of albuterol, how many inhalation doses can be

delivered if each inhalation dose contains 90 mcg?

Ansel, H. C. (2009) Phamaceutical Calculations (13th Ed.). Philadelphia:Lippincott

Williams & Wilkins, and Wolters Kluwer Publishers
Problem 7

The product of biotechnology, filgrastim (NEUPOGEN), is available in vials containing 0.3

mg of drug in each milliliter. Which choice is equivalent in concentration?
(a) 0.03 mg/0.1 dL
(b) 300 mcg/0.01 dL
(c) 3 mcg/0.01 cL
(d) 300 mcg/10 cL
(e) 300 mcg/0.01 dL

Ansel, H. C. (2009) Phamaceutical Calculations (13th Ed.). Philadelphia:Lippincott

Williams & Wilkins, and Wolters Kluwer Publishers