Pharmaceutical Calculations. 5th ed.

Teixeira MG, Zatz JL 
Hoboken, New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons; 2017.
536 pages

This new edition has been updated and has new content, yet it retains a practical approach to pharmaceutical calculations. It follows a skill-building approach starting at basic mathematical concepts. Each chapter sets the scene with learning objectives and then systematically works through relevant content.

As the reader moves through the book and builds knowledge and confidence, mathematical concepts and calculations become increasingly complex. Those who wish to revise a specific area can go to that section through the comprehensive table of contents or from the index.

For students and those new to pharmaceutical calculations, this book comprehensively covers the range of calculations required. Although presented from an American context (with some American drug names), the majority of the calculations use metric measures. There is a chapter covering systems of measurement used internationally.

Complex calculations covering electrolytes, injectable medicines, total parenteral nutrition, intravenous flow rates and novel dose forms (e.g. lollipops) are also included. Each concept is introduced and worked examples are given. The reader is then led through additional practice questions and each chapter culminates in a list of practice problems. Answers and fully worked solutions are provided for all questions and problems.

This book would be a useful addition for pharmacists working in compounding pharmacies, as well as pharmacy students and interns preparing for their exams. It would also be a good resource for prescribers who use different compounded dose forms, such as total parenteral nutrition, who may require additional information about dosage calculation.