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Pharmaceutical calculations are vital for healthcare professionals, ensuring the safe and effective administration of medications.
What Is the Basic Formula in Pharmaceutical Calculation?
One of the foundational formulas in drug calculation is the D/H × Q formula:
Breaking It Down:
- D (Desired Dose): The amount of medication the doctor prescribes.
- H (Dose on Hand): The strength of the medication available.
- Q (Quantity): The form in which the drug is supplied (e.g., tablets, milliliters).
Example:
A doctor prescribes 250 mg of a drug. The medication available is 500 mg per tablet. Using the formula:
What Is the First Step in Calculating Dosages?
Before jumping into the math, gathering all the necessary information is essential.
Steps to Begin Dosage Calculations:
- Understand the Prescription: Carefully read the doctor's order.
- Check the Units: Ensure the dose and available medication are in the same units. If not, convert them first.
- Use a Formula: Apply the correct calculation formula, like the one mentioned above.
- Follow BODMAS to process the formula.
Pro Tip: Always check the patient's weight or age for specific medications, as dosages often depend on these factors.
In practice:
- Verify with the patient that there is no known allergies / intolerances
- Eliminate potential interactions with food or other medication
Calculating Drug Dosage Based on Body Weight
Drug dosage must be tailored to a patient's body weight in many cases to ensure safe and effective administration. This is especially true for children, as using a standard dosage based on age could lead to over- or under-dosing.
Dose = Body weight x Dose per kg.
Example: give atropine 0.02mg/kg , patient weight 70kg.
Dose = 70 kg x 0.02 mg/kg = 70 x 0.02 mg = 1.4 mg.
