Pharmaceutical Calculations for Veterinary Pharmacy
Expert-defined terms from the Professional Certificate in Veterinary Pharmacy Management course at London School of Planning and Management. Free to read, free to share, paired with a globally recognised certification pathway.
Pharmaceutical Calculations Glossary #
Pharmaceutical Calculations Glossary
Absorption #
Absorption
Absorption refers to the process by which a drug is taken up from the site of ad… #
This is an important concept in pharmaceutical calculations as the rate and extent of absorption can affect the dosing regimen of a drug.
Acid #
base Titration
Acid #
base titration is a method used to determine the concentration of an acid or base solution. This is often used in pharmaceutical calculations to ensure the accuracy of a drug formulation.
Active Ingredient #
Active Ingredient
The active ingredient is the component of a drug that produces the desired thera… #
It is important to accurately calculate the amount of active ingredient in a drug formulation to ensure proper dosing.
Aliquot #
Aliquot
An aliquot is a portion of a sample that is taken for analysis or experimentatio… #
In pharmaceutical calculations, aliquots are often used to measure precise amounts of a drug or ingredient.
Aqueous Solution #
Aqueous Solution
An aqueous solution is a solution in which water is the solvent #
Many drug formulations are aqueous solutions, and pharmaceutical calculations often involve determining the concentration of a drug in such solutions.
Concentration #
Concentration
Concentration refers to the amount of a substance present in a given volume of s… #
In pharmaceutical calculations, concentration is crucial for determining the proper dosing of a drug.
Conversion Factor #
Conversion Factor
A conversion factor is a ratio used to convert one unit of measurement to anothe… #
In pharmaceutical calculations, conversion factors are often used to convert between different units of weight or volume.
Decoction #
Decoction
A decoction is a method of extracting the active ingredients from plant material… #
Pharmaceutical calculations may involve determining the concentration of a drug in a decoction.
Dilution #
Dilution
Dilution is the process of reducing the concentration of a solution by adding mo… #
In pharmaceutical calculations, dilution is often necessary to achieve the desired concentration of a drug.
Dispensing #
Dispensing
Dispensing refers to the preparation and distribution of medication to patients #
Pharmaceutical calculations are essential in the dispensing process to ensure accurate dosing.
Dosage #
Dosage
Dosage refers to the amount of a drug that is prescribed for a patient #
Pharmaceutical calculations are used to determine the appropriate dosage based on factors such as the patient's weight and the desired therapeutic effect.
Drug Formulation #
Drug Formulation
A drug formulation is the specific composition and preparation of a drug product #
Pharmaceutical calculations are required to accurately formulate drugs to ensure safety and efficacy.
Extraction #
Extraction
Extraction is the process of removing the active ingredients from a raw material… #
Pharmaceutical calculations may involve determining the efficiency of an extraction process.
Filtration #
Filtration
Filtration is a method used to separate solid particles from a liquid by passing… #
Pharmaceutical calculations may involve determining the volume or concentration of a drug after filtration.
Galenic Pharmacy #
Galenic Pharmacy
Galenic pharmacy is the branch of pharmacy that focuses on preparing medications… #
Pharmaceutical calculations in galenic pharmacy often involve working with plant extracts and natural ingredients.
Half #
life
The half #
life of a drug is the time it takes for half of the drug to be eliminated from the body. Pharmaceutical calculations may involve determining the dosing interval of a drug based on its half-life.
Infusion #
Infusion
An infusion is a method of delivering medication through a slow, continuous drip #
Pharmaceutical calculations are necessary to determine the infusion rate and total volume of medication to be administered.
Isotonic #
Isotonic
An isotonic solution is a solution that has the same osmotic pressure as body fl… #
Pharmaceutical calculations may involve preparing isotonic solutions to prevent irritation at the site of administration.
Liquid Dosage Form #
Liquid Dosage Form
A liquid dosage form is a drug formulation that is in liquid form, such as a sol… #
Pharmaceutical calculations are essential for determining the concentration and volume of liquid dosage forms.
Molarity #
Molarity
Molarity is a measure of the concentration of a solution, defined as the number… #
Pharmaceutical calculations often involve working with molarity to prepare drug formulations.
Parenteral Administration #
Parenteral Administration
Parenteral administration is the administration of medication through routes oth… #
Pharmaceutical calculations are crucial to ensure accurate dosing with parenteral administration.
Potency #
Potency
Potency refers to the strength or effectiveness of a drug #
Pharmaceutical calculations are used to determine the potency of a drug and adjust the dosage accordingly.
Powder Dosage Form #
Powder Dosage Form
A powder dosage form is a drug formulation that is in powdered form #
Pharmaceutical calculations are necessary to accurately measure and dispense powder dosage forms.
Prescription #
Prescription
A prescription is a written order from a healthcare provider for the dispensing… #
Pharmaceutical calculations are used to ensure that the prescription is accurately prepared and dosed.
Proportion #
Proportion
Proportion refers to the relationship between different components in a drug for… #
Pharmaceutical calculations may involve determining the proportion of active ingredient to excipients in a drug product.
Reconstitution #
Reconstitution
Reconstitution is the process of mixing a powdered drug with a liquid to form a… #
Pharmaceutical calculations are essential to accurately reconstitute drugs and determine the final concentration.
Relative Solubility #
Relative Solubility
Relative solubility refers to the ability of a solute to dissolve in a solvent c… #
Pharmaceutical calculations may involve determining the relative solubility of a drug to optimize its formulation.
Serial Dilution #
Serial Dilution
Serial dilution is a method used to prepare solutions of decreasing concentratio… #
Pharmaceutical calculations are necessary to determine the dilution factor and final concentration of the solution.
Specific Gravity #
Specific Gravity
Specific gravity is a measure of the density of a substance compared to the dens… #
Pharmaceutical calculations may involve working with specific gravity to determine the weight or volume of a drug.
Stability #
Stability
Stability refers to the ability of a drug to maintain its physical and chemical… #
Pharmaceutical calculations are used to assess the stability of drug formulations and determine appropriate storage conditions.
Suppository #
Suppository
A suppository is a solid dosage form that is inserted into a body cavity, such a… #
Pharmaceutical calculations are essential to accurately prepare and dose suppositories.
Suspension #
Suspension
A suspension is a drug formulation in which solid particles are dispersed in a l… #
Pharmaceutical calculations are crucial for determining the concentration and stability of suspensions.
Systemic Administration #
Systemic Administration
Systemic administration is the administration of medication that is distributed… #
Pharmaceutical calculations are important for determining the appropriate dose for systemic administration to achieve the desired therapeutic effect.
Tablet Dosage Form #
Tablet Dosage Form
A tablet dosage form is a solid drug formulation that is compressed into a table… #
Pharmaceutical calculations are necessary to accurately formulate and dose tablet dosage forms.
Topical Administration #
Topical Administration
Topical administration is the administration of medication to the skin or mucous… #
Pharmaceutical calculations are used to determine the appropriate amount of medication for topical administration.
Trituration #
Trituration
Trituration is a method of grinding substances into fine particles using a morta… #
Pharmaceutical calculations may involve determining the particle size and distribution in a triturated drug.
Volume #
Volume
Volume refers to the amount of space occupied by a substance #
Pharmaceutical calculations often involve working with volumes to determine the proper dosing of a drug.
Weighing #
Weighing
Weighing is the process of measuring the weight of a substance using a balance o… #
Pharmaceutical calculations often involve weighing ingredients to prepare drug formulations accurately.
Yield #
Yield
Yield refers to the amount of product obtained from a chemical reaction or proce… #
Pharmaceutical calculations may involve determining the yield of a drug formulation to optimize production efficiency.