Pill Dosage Calculation

The Pill Dosage Calculator computes the dosage based on the prescribed dose and the concentration of drug on hand.

INSTRUCTIONS: Choose units and enter the following:

• (D) Desired Dose 
• (H) Strength of Meds on Hand per Base Unit
• (V) Base Unit of Drug on Hand 

Pill Dosage (X): The calculator returns the number of pills.  

The Math / Science

The Pill Dosage Formula uses the desired dosage amount and amount of the drug on hand to calculate the amount of dosage that should be administered to a patient's IV.  The formula for IV Dosage is: 

   X =  D/H * V

Where:

• X = Amount to be administered 
• D = Desired dose
• H = Amount of drug on hand
• V = Volume of drug on hand

Example

A doctor prescribes 800 mg of ibuprofen (D).  Ibuprofen is available in 200mg tablets (200 / 1 tablet).  In this case, the desired dose (D) is 800 mg, the Amount of Drug on hand (H) is 200mg, and Volume (V) is 1 tablet. 

        X =  800 mg / 200 mg  * 1 tablet = 4 tablets

Related Calculators

• IV Dosage Calculator
• Pill Dosage Calculator