#Medication math calculator trial

The compounding pharmacy will make this in a 25mg/mL 60mL suspension.

She takes her prescription to her local compounding pharmacy so that she can get a liquid version. Her doctor has prescribed her one acetazolamide 125mg tablet daily. Let’s look look at an example where there is not currently a commercially-available liquid strength, acetazolamide, the generic for Diamox. Compounding Concentration Calculation Example For example, sertraline, the generic for Zoloft, is available commercially as tablets in three strengths and liquid form in one strength, 20mg/mL. Commonly, measured in milligrams per milliliter (mg/mL). ConcentrationĪ concentrated medication is a specific strength dissolved in a solvent. In order to be competent in a compounding pharmacy, you need to be able to calculate concentrations and percentages. Compound recipes can vary widely Magic Mouthwash probably being the most common example of a compound with seemingly endless options. The latter is popular for patients that cannot swallow solids well or are tube-fed additionally, there is not a commercially-produced alternative so a compound is the only option.Ĭompounds are made into any form: topicals, liquids, intravenous, etc. Compounding involves multiple medications or a medication-type conversion such as taking a solid (tablets) to a liquid.

The group that was treated with an individually adjusted dose of fluorouracil (antimetabolite drug used in the treatment of many cancers, including colon cancer) had a better response to the therapy, a higher survival rate and a lower grade of toxicity, than those treated with standard doses.Compounds are medications made for a specific patient.

#Medication math calculator trial

Moreover, there are more and more scientific data suggesting that individually performed dosage calculations (not only in pediatric patients) improve patient survival when compared with a standard treatment of fixed doses.įor instance, in 2016 a group of scientists from France published an article in the Journal of Clinical Oncology in which they summarized the results of their clinical trial on patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (cancer of large bowel in the IV stage of the disease – with metastases). There are plenty of ongoing clinical trials in which different doses of the drugs are being compared. The usage of a pediatric dose calculator seems to be a responsible choice that reduces the risk of a mistake!Ĭontemporary scientists are also looking at the issue of drug dosage. This is especially critical when administering drugs to children, as a slight mistake in the dose may cause a significant change in the effect of its action. This is why we should perform our dosage calculations carefully and accurately. An example of a well known but potentially toxic substance is Tylenol ( paracetamol). We know that every substance, especially drugs, may be toxic if given in an inappropriate dose. The right dose differentiates a poison and a remedy.' 'All substances are poisons there is none which is not a poison. In the sixteenth-century Swiss scientist Paracelsus said: Our dosage calculator will help you calculate appropriate doses of this kind of drugs! It means that two patients with the same disease may receive a different amount of the same drug! The dose of the drug depends on the weight of the patient. The dosage of the drug depends on the patient's body weight The doses are different depending on the concentration of the drug's active compound in the serum (e.g., vitamin K antagonists, lithium, etc.).ĥ. This is a relatively small group of drugs. In this case, the doctor usually suggests the patient a sample dosage the patient then modifies it according to his/her needs and the situation (e.g., insulin). In this case, you also don't have to worry about medical dosage calculations! The dosage of these drugs is usually set by the doctor according to the patient's needs or age (e.g., hypotensive drugs). You don't need to use any dosage calculation formulas! And the truth is that we dose (or should dose) nearly everything in our life, from cooking dinner to taking medications! However, regarding drugs, there are certain different kinds of dosing that depend on the specific drug and/or the patient.ĭrugs with one fix dosage are the easiest to use you just take it and forget about it (e.g., vaccines). When treating a patient, or just taking a medication by yourself, we always need to wonder what is the exact dose of the drug we choose.