The Mystery of Tacrolimus Strength Unveiled
How to calculate the percentage strength of a mixture of tacrolimus ointments?
If a pharmacist fortified 20 g of a 0.1% w/w tacrolimus (PROTOPIC) ointment by adding 15.5 g of an ointment containing 0.03% w/w of the same drug, what would be the percentage strength of the mixture?
Calculating Tacrolimus Mixture Strength
First, determine the amount of tacrolimus in each ointment. The 0.1% w/w tacrolimus ointment contains 0.02g of tacrolimus (0.1% of 20g). The ointment with 0.03% w/w tacrolimus contains 0.00465g of tacrolimus (0.03% of 15.5g). The total amount of tacrolimus in the mixture is 0.02465g (0.02g + 0.00465g).
Next, find the total weight of the mixture by adding the weights of the two ointments: 20g + 15.5g = 35.5g. To calculate the percentage strength of the mixture, divide the total weight of tacrolimus (0.02465g) by the total weight of the mixture (35.5g) and multiply by 100.
Therefore, the mixed ointment has a tacrolimus strength of approximately 0.069% w/w.
Understanding Tacrolimus Strength Calculation
Tacrolimus strength in ointments is crucial for ensuring proper medication dosing and efficacy. By calculating the percentage strength of a mixture of tacrolimus ointments, pharmacists can accurately determine the concentration of the active ingredient in the final product.
In this scenario, the pharmacist combined two different tacrolimus ointments with varying strengths to create a new mixture. By determining the amount of tacrolimus in each original ointment and calculating the total weight of the mixture, the pharmacist could establish the percentage strength of the final product.
Understanding how to calculate tacrolimus mixture strength is essential for healthcare professionals to provide patients with the appropriate medication concentrations for their conditions. By following the formula outlined in the answer section, pharmacists can ensure the effectiveness and safety of the compounded ointment.
Key Points:- Calculate the amount of tacrolimus in each ointment
- Determine the total weight of the mixture
- Divide the total weight of tacrolimus by the total weight of the mixture and multiply by 100 to find the percentage strength