Site Map

Pharmacy Compounding Math Question

by Magda
(Frisco, tx)

The Jones' family dog has a parasitic infection. Their Veterinarian has called in an order for 150mL Metronidazole 3% oral susp. How many 500mg metronidazole tablets will be needed to compound the prescription if the recipe is:

Rx:
Metronidazole 3%
Suspending agent 30%
Simple syrup 40%
qs ad H2O to 150 mL

A. 9
B. 10
C. 7
D. 18

Comments for Pharmacy Compounding Math Question

Click here to add your comments

pharmacy calculations
by: Jerry

The only thing to determine is how many mg of the drug you need. Then divide that number by the contents of the tabs (500mg in this case)

First, use a proportion equation:

3000mg - - - - - - - X mg
----------- = 3% = ---------
100mL - - - - - - - 150mL

X = 4500mg

So, now divide...

4500mg / 500mg (tabs) = How many tabs you need.

OK, Your turn
3000?
by: Anonymous

How did you determine how many mg of the drug you need? e.g. 3000mg
The 3000 is from the 3%
by: Anonymous

The 3000 comes from the fact that

3000mg
---------- = 3%
100mL

or you could have used:


300mg
---------- = 3%
10mL

or even:


30mg
---------- = 3%
1mL

You're using that fraction to cross multiply - since it's a known variable, to find the unknown variable. e.g. - If you know how much is in 100mL, then you can determine what's in 150mL.
Pharmacy Compound Question
by: Brad Wojcik, Pharm D

I think it would be helpful to explain a little about percent strength so the students will know how to calculate the number of mg/ml of a 3% solution. A 3% w/v solution means 3% g/mL. w=g and v=mL. To work with the % sign, just remember that to add the % sign, multiply by 100% and to remove the %, divide by 100%. So, 3% g/mL is the same as 3 g/100 mL.
Different/Quicker
by: Anonymous

You are told in the recipe that the drug is 3% of the content.
You are ordered for 150ml of it.
0.03 (3%) x 150 = 4.5ml
1g = 1ml
500mg = .5g
4.5ml / .5g = 9
Confused
by: Anonymous

I have the same question and an answer key but not an explanation of how to get to it. The reason why I am writing is the answer key is showing the answer to be 10 tablets not 9. "How many 500 metronidazole tablets will be needed to compound the following prescription for a patient: metronidazole 3%, suspending agent 30%, simple syrup 40% qsad H2O to 150ml?" And please, yes, break everything down. Step by step because I am not understanding this.

Click here to add your comments

Join in and ASK your Questions! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to Math questions.