Unit - 2

Drug dosage forms and calculations

By Gezahegn Eshetu
 Learning objective
• After completion of this chapter students be
able to:-
Identify deferent drug forms and there usage
Understand different drug dosage calculations

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 Drug dosage forms
• Active drug substance (active pharmaceutical
ingredient - API) - chemical compound with
pharmacological (or other direct effect )
intended for used in diagnosis, treatment or
prevention of diseases.

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• Direct clinical use of the active drug substances is rare:
Why??
 API handling and Accurate dosing can be difficult or
impossible
(e.g., potent drugs: low mg doses)
 API administration can be impractical/unfeasible because
of size, shape, smell/odour, taste and low activity.
 Some API are chemically unstable in light, moisture
 API can be degraded at the site of administration (e.g.,
low pH in stomach).
 API may cause local irritations or injury when they are
present at high concentrations at the site of
administration.
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 Need of dosage forms: overcoming the
difficulties
1. To provide for the safe and convenient delivery of
accurate dosage
Examples: Tablets, Capsules, syrups
2. For the protection of a drug substance from the
destructive influence of atmospheric oxygen or
moisture.
Examples: coated tablets, sealed ampules

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3. For the protection of a drug substance from the
destructive influence of gastric acid after oral
administration.
Example: enteric coated tablets
4. To conceal the bitter taste, salty obnoxious or
odor of adrug substance.
Examples: Capsules, coated tablets, flavored
syrups

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5. To provide optional drug action from topical
administration sites
Examples: ointments, creams, ophthalmic, ear
and nasal preparations
6. To provide for insertion of a drug into one
of the body’sorifices
Examples: rectal and vaginal suppositories
7. To provide for the placement of drugs
within body tissues.
Examples: Implants

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8. To provide for the optimal drug action through
inhalation therapy.
Examples: inhalants and inhalations
9. In addition, many dosage forms permit ease of
drug identification through distinctiveness of color,
shape, or identifying markings

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 Dosage form
Definition: Dosage forms are the means by
which drug molecules / APIs are delivered
to sites of action within the body to
produce optimum desired effects and
minimum adverse effect.

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 Benefit of drug dosage form
DRUG SAFETY/BENEFIT:
 Protection from environment (light, moisture,
O2).
 Protection from patients (gastric juice).

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PATIENTS SAFETY/BENEFIT:
 Accurate dose of potent drugs for children and elderly
patients
 Preventing local drug irritations/ ulcers.
 Modifying PK of drug for optimum action(↑ benefits,↓
side effects)
 Masking taste and odour of API.
 Presenting API in desired / required forms. (Use ofdesired
vehicle for insoluble drugs, insertion of drugs into body
cavities and placement of drugs within body tissues like
implants).
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 Drug component
Active drug substance (active pharmaceutical
ingredient - API)
• Excipients (inactive pharmaceutical
ingredients)
 Diluents/fillers, binders, lubricants, coatings,
preservants and stabilizers, colorants and
flavourings

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 Desirable properties of dosage form
Should:
• Convenient to handle, use and store
• Stable during storage and use
• Withstand mechanical shock during transport
• Flexibility in different drug strength
• Provide expected therapeutic effect
• Extent, drug release, onset, intensity, duration of action
predictable
• Economical and elegant

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Types of dosage forms

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Physical clasification

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 Definitions : Solid dosage form
_Powders: Solid dosage forms containing finely
divided particles in micron size
– Tablets: Solid dosage form containing
medicaments with or without excipients
– Granules: Aggregate of particles
– Capsules: Drug enclosed with gelatin capsule
– Pills: Small tablet containing excipients

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 Definitions : Solid dosage form
– Lozenges: Solid preparations containing sugar and
gum used to medicate mouth and throat
– Suppositories: Solid dosage containing medicaments
with suitable suppository base that inserted in to the
body cavities other than mouth, like rectum, nose,
ear
– Poultices: Solid dosage form converted to paste like
preparation used externally in the skin to reduce
inflammation

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 Definitions: Liquid dosage form
1. Collodions: Liquid preparations for external use
having nitro cellulose used to protect the skin
2. Droughts: Liquid preparations for oral containing
medicaments available in single dose or multiple
dose
3. Elixirs: Liquid preparation for oral containing
medicaments with suitable excipients
4. Emulsions: Biphasic liquid dosage form for oral
containing medicaments in which fine oil globules
dispersed in continuous phase
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5. Suspensions: Biphasic liquid dosage form for
oral containing medicaments in which fine solid
particles suspended in continuous phase
6. Enemas: Liquid preparation for rectal
containing medicaments
7. Gargles: mildly antiseptic solution used to
clean the mouth or throat
8. Gels: Aqueous colloidal suspensions containing
medicaments used as antacids
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9. Linctuses: Viscous, liquid oral preparations used to
relief cough
10. Lotions: Liquid preparations for external application
usually applied without friction
11. Liniments: Liquid preparations for external
application usually applied with friction
12. Mixtures: Liquid oral preparations containing one or
more medicaments
13. Mouth washes: Concentrated aqueous solutions for
external use used to treat mouth infections and oral
hygiene
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14. Nasal drops: Liquid preparations containing
medicaments that are instilled in to the nose with
a dropper used to treat nose infections and
blockage of nose
15. Paints: Liquid preparations for external
application to the skin or mucous membrane with
soft brush
16. Solutions : Clear liquid preparation containing
with or without medicaments used to internal or
external preparations
17. Syrups: Sweet, viscous, concentrated liquid
preparations containing with or without sugar
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Definitions: Semisolid dosage form
1. Ointments: Semisolid dosage forms for external use
containing
with or without medicaments with suitable ointment base
2. Creams: Semisolid dosage forms for external use containing
with or without medicaments with suitable fatty base
3. Paste: Semisolid dosage forms for external use containing high
proportion of finely powdered medicaments with suitable fatty
base
4. Gels: Transparent semisolid dosage forms for external use
containing hydrophilic or hydrophobic base with gelling agents
5. Poultices: Semisolid dosage forms for external use containing
medicaments applied to the skin to hold the dressing and
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 Definitions: Gaseous dosage form
1. Aerosols: Suspension of fine solid or liquid particles
with gas used to apply drug to respiratory tract
having atomizer with in device
2. Inhalations: Internal liquid preparations containing
medicaments dissolved in suitable solvent or if
insoluble suspended in the propellent
3. Sprays: Gaseous preparations of drugs containing
alcohol applied to mucous membrane of nose or
throat with atomizer or nebulizer

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 Drug Dosage Calculations

Drug dosage calculations are required when the

amount of medication ordered (or desired) is
different from what is available on hand for the
nurse to administer.

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Drug measurement system
• Three measurement systems; metric, apothecary, and
household
[Link] system/ decimal system : is the most widely
accepted and convenient system.
• The basic units used include liter (L), volume of fluids;
the gram (g), weight of solids; and the meter (m),
measure of length.
• Metric equivalents, in volume and weight, are used in
medication administration.
• The meter is not used to compute dosage of drug; rather,
it is used for measurements related to area of client’s
body
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2. Apothecary system- is the oldest of the three systems
of measurement.
• Less convenient & precise than metric system.
• Fluids measured in-pints, quarts and gallons;
• Distances measures in- inches, feat, or miles;
• Body weight is measured in -pounds.
• The basic unit of weight is the grain (gr)
• The basic unit of volume is the mini (m)
3. Household system –
• is used primarily for measurements at the home, such
as teaspoons, table spoons, cups, glasses, and drops.
• Least accurate system of measurement
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Calculating medication orders
• Medication orders are usually written in metric units of
measure, and present/supplied in the same way.
• But, rarely liquid medications or commonly used oral
medications may be ordered in apothecary or house hold
units of measure.

• In this case, calculate the amount of medication needed

in the measurement system is needed

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Conversion with in a system
• Volume to be given = dosage ordered × volume on
hand/dose on hand (if it is the same measurement)
• Conversion from one system to another is by
remembering the equivalents in that system

• Example, cephalexin 500 mg PO q.i.d. (dose desired) is

ordered by health care practitioner; the dose on hand is
250 mg/5 ml.

• The formula is as follows:

• 250 mg (dose on hand) =500 mg (dose desired)
5 ml (dose on hand) =x(dose desired)
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• Example-2:- Amoxicillin 625 mg po is ordered. It is supplied as
liquid preparation containing 250 mg in 5 [Link] much would
you administer?
• Soln:- D.H = D.D , 250mg = 625mg
X= 12.5 ml
Q.H Q. D 5ml x(ml)

Exercise
[Link] grains 60 mg po is ordered. It is
available on 30 mg tablet. How many tablets
would administer?
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 Dosage Calculations based on Body Weight
Dosage calculations based on body weight are required
when the dosage ordered and administered is
dependent on the weight of the patient. For
example, many pediatric drugs are ordered and given
per weight (usually in kg).
 Weight (kg) x Dosage Ordered (per kg) = Y
(Required Dosage)

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 Example 1
Medrol 4 mg/kg is ordered for a child weighing
64.8 lb. Medrol is available as 500 mg/4mL.
How many milliliters of medication must the
nurse administer?
1. First Ib changed kg
64.8 lb ÷ 2.2 lb/kg = 29.45 kg
2. Weight (kg) x Dosage Ordered (per kg) =
Y (Required dosage)
29.45 kg x 4 mg/kg = 117.8 mg
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3. Calculate the volume of medication (mL)
to be administered based on what’s available on
hand.
117.8mg x 4ml=0.942 ml
500mg
Therefore, the nurse must administer 0.942 mL
of medication.

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Calculation of Flow Rate

• The flow rate is the volume of fluid to infuse over a set

period of time as prescribed by the health care
practitioner.

• The health care practitioner will identify either the

amount to infuse per hour (such as 125 ml per hour or
1000 ml over an 8-hour period).

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Calculate the hourly infusion rate as follows:

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Types of medication orders
• There are four common medication orders
1. Stat order:- medication given immediately and once
• EX:- Epinephrine (adrenaline) would be carried out immediately
for a client experiencing anaphylactic drug reaction (shock).
2. Single order or one-time order is for medication to be given once
at a specified time
Exam- Secondly 100 mg 3hs before surgery.
3. Standing order:- this order may or may not have termination date
may be specified number of days.
• Ex:- Amoxicillin 500 mg TID for 7 day
4. P.R.N order (when ever necessary )
• This permits the clinician to give a medication when his/her
judgment requires.
• Ex:- paracetamol 500 mg po PRN.
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Thank you

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