Pharmacy Units Measurements and Abbreviations There are others in the Student Handout book The most common ones (Must know) C=Celsius F =Fahrenheit G or gr =Gram Gr. = grain L= liter Ml= Milliliter Mg=Milligram Kg=Kilogram TBSP= tablespoon TSP= Teaspoon Gtt= drop

Measurement Systems Metric System- began in France in 1795. Denotes basic units of measurement in 6 main areas: Mass - Gram Length- meter Time- second Volume- liter

Metric System is the preferred system in science and medicine due to its factor of ten basis. Used in most countries in the world Prefix and meaning Pico= 0.000000000001 (trillionth) Nano =0.000000001 (billionth) Micro = 0.000001 (millionth) Milli =0.001 (thousandth) Centi=0.01 (hundredth) Deci = 0.1 (tenth) Kilo=1,000 (thousand)

Visual method to conversion between Metric units Number Line System To convert metric system units, plot your two units on the number line from left to right; if the conversion makes you move to the right you will move the decimal point the same number of place as you have zero’s If the conversion makes you move to the left you move the decimal to the right the same number of place that you make zero’s 1000 X 1000 X 1000 X Milli Micro Base Unit kilo

Visual method to conversion between Metric units For example To convert 200 mcg to mg, plot it on the number line: to get there you must move to the right of the number line thus you move the decimel to the left the same number of units that there are zeros in the convert (i.e.3) 200 mcg= 0.200 mg or just 0.2 mg 1000 X 1000 X 1000 X To Here Here Milli Micro Base Unit kilo

US Customary Units and British Imperial Systems Development over centuries in the British Isles and later in the US colonies Formally standardized in 1824 Still use in the US and Great Britain Today; however, almost all scientific applications use the metric system or the SI system (Système international d'unités ) Avoirdupois system is a subsystem of weights in the US and British Systems based on the pound.

Avoirdupois System Weight Volume 20 grains= 1 scruple 3 scruples= 1 dram 8 drams = 1 ounce *** 16 ounces = 1 lbs *** Volume 60 minims= 1 fluid dram 8 fluid drams = 1 fluid ounce *** 16 fluid ounces = 1 pint *** 2 pints= 1 quart *** 4 quarts = 1 gallon ***

The follow is a list of weights and their metric equivalents 1 Grain = 65 mg (5 gr aspirin =325 mg) exception: 1 gr of thyroid, phenobarbital, codeine and nitroglycerin) is 60 mg 1 lb (pound) = 16 ounces 1 ounce = 28.35 grams 1 fl. Oz= 28.35 ml (remember 30 ml) 2.2 pound = 1 kilograms *** 1 Dram (symbolized by ʒ) = 3.9 g 1 f ʒ = 3.9 ml 1 pint = 473 ml

Household measurements 1 tsp = 5 ml 1 tbsp= 15 ml 1 cup = 8 ounces or 240 ml 20 gtts = 1 ml (use to calculate the number of drops in eye drop products ) 20 drops/ 1 ml = x drops/ 5 ml X= 20 X5 X= 100 drops 5 ml is how many drops?

Apothecary System Apothecary system is a system of weights and measure used in Europe during the 18th century by physicians and pharmacist (apothecary) Is a subset of the British Imperial systems The following is important to remember in pharmacy The only difference between apothecary system and Avoirdupois system is the troy ounce is heavier than the avoirdupois ounce. the troy ounce which is the 31.1 grams instead of 28.55 grams Precious metals and gemstones are weighted in troy ounces. Gold=Au, Silver= Ag, Platinum = Pt