A nurse is preparing to administer clozapine 300 mg PO daily. The medication is available as 200 mg tablets. How many tablets should be administered?

A nurse is preparing to administer clozapine 300 mg PO daily. The medication is available as 200 mg tablets. How many tablets should be administered?

• A. 1 tablet
• B. 1.5 tablets
• C. 2 tablets
• D. 2.5 tablets

Answer: (B)

You determine the dose by dividing the total milligrams prescribed by the milligrams in each tablet. For 300 mg daily using 200 mg tablets: 300 ÷ 200 = 1.5. So you give one full 200 mg tablet plus half of another 200 mg tablet to reach 300 mg. In practice, this depends on whether the tablet is scored (eligible to split). If splitting isn’t possible, a pharmacist or prescriber would advise on an alternative form or dosing. One tablet equals 200 mg (less than 300 mg) and two tablets equal 400 mg (more than 300 mg), so 1.5 tablets is the correct calculation.

You determine the dose by dividing the total milligrams prescribed by the milligrams in each tablet. For 300 mg daily using 200 mg tablets: 300 ÷ 200 = 1.5. So you give one full 200 mg tablet plus half of another 200 mg tablet to reach 300 mg. In practice, this depends on whether the tablet is scored (eligible to split). If splitting isn’t possible, a pharmacist or prescriber would advise on an alternative form or dosing. One tablet equals 200 mg (less than 300 mg) and two tablets equal 400 mg (more than 300 mg), so 1.5 tablets is the correct calculation.