INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION TO
• Pharmaceutical calculations is the area of study that
PHARMACEUTICAL applies the basic principles of mathematics to the
CALCULATIONS preparation and efficacious use of pharmaceutical
preparations.
• It includes calculations from initial product
formulation through clinical administration and
outcomes assessment.
MEASURE OF LENGTH MEASURE OF VOLUME
1 meter = 0.001 kilometer 1 liter = 0.001 kiloliter
= 0.01 hectometer = 0.010 hectoliter
= 0.1 dekameter = 0.100 dekaliter
= 10 decimeters = 10 deciliters
= 100 centimeters = 100 centiliters
= 1000 millimeters = 1000 milliliters
= 1,000,000 micrometers = 1,000,000 microliters
= 1,000,000,000 nanometers ‘‘One milliliter (mL) is used herein as the equivalent of
1 cubic centimeter (cc).’’ 1mL = 1cc
RELATION TO OTHER SYSTEMS OF
MEASURE OF WEIGHT MEASUREMENT
1 gram = 0.001 kilogram • The avoirdupois system, widely used in the United States
= 0.010 hectogram in measuring body weight and in selling goods by the
= 0.100 dekagram ounce or pound, is slowly giving way to the international
= 10 decigrams system.
= 100 centigrams • The apothecaries’ system, once the predominant
= 1000 milligrams pharmacist’s system of volumetric and weight measure,
= 1,000,000 micrograms has also largely been replaced by the SI.
= 1,000,000,000 nanograms • The pharmacist must still appreciate the relationship
= 1,000,000,000,000 picograms between the various systems of measurement, however,
= 1,000,000,000,000,000 femtograms and deal effectively with them as the need arises.
RELATION TO OTHER SYSTEMS OF
MEASUREMENT PRACTICE PROBLEMS
1. Add 0.5 kg, 50 mg, and 2.5 dg. Reduce the result to
grams.
2. Add 7.25 L and 875 cL. Reduce the result to milliliters.
3. Add 0.0025 kg, 1750 mg, 2.25 g, and 825,000 mcg,
and express the answer in grams.
