Titrating medicines to treat neuropathic pain: answers

02 June 2019
Volume 1 · Issue 6

QUESTION 1

How many 75 mg capsules should be prescribed for 4 weeks?

  • Week 1 = 2 tablets × 7 days = 14 tablets
  • Weeks 2 – 4 = 4 tablets a day × 21 days = 84 tablets
  • Total = 14 + 84 = 98 tablets

QUESTION 2

How many gabapentin 300 mg capsules are required for a prescription that will last 2 weeks (until she reviews her patient)?

  • Day 1 = 1 × 300 mg tablet
  • Day 2 = 2 × 300 mg tablets
  • Day 3 – day 21 (12 days) = 36 × 300 mg tablets
  • Total = 1 + 2 + 36 = 39 tablets

QUESTION 3

If the dose was started at 25 mg daily and increased by 25 mg every 3 days to the maximum of 75 mg, how many 25 mg tablets would be required for a 2 week prescription?

  • Day 1 – day 3 = 1 × 25 mg tablet per day = 3 tablets
  • Day 4 – day 6 = 2 × 25 mg tablets per day = 6 tablets
  • Day 7 – day 14 = 3 × 25 mg tablets per day = 24 tablets
  • Total = 3 + 6 + 24 = 33 tablets

QUESTION 4

If she starts at 200 mg daily and increases the dose by 100 mg each week up to the usual dose of 200 mg four times a day, how many days will it take to reach this dose?

  • a. 43 days