This calculator helps you understand your prescription details, whether you need to determine how long a dispensed quantity will last (Days Supply) or how much medication you'll need for a specific duration (Total Quantity Needed). It can also estimate the cost based on the unit price.
1. Calculate Days Supply & Estimated Cost
Use this section to find out how many days a specific quantity of medication will last and its estimated cost.
2. Calculate Total Quantity Needed & Estimated Cost
Use this section to determine the total quantity of medication required for a desired number of days and its estimated cost.
Navigating prescription details can sometimes be confusing. This Pharmacy Prescription Calculator is designed to simplify two common scenarios: determining how long your medication will last (Days Supply) and calculating the total quantity you'll need for a specific treatment duration (Total Quantity Needed). It also provides an estimated cost based on the unit price of your medication.
What is Days Supply?
Days Supply refers to the number of days a dispensed quantity of medication is expected to last, based on the prescribed dosage and frequency. This is a crucial metric for both patients and pharmacists. For patients, it helps in planning refills and understanding treatment duration. For pharmacists, it's essential for insurance billing, medication adherence monitoring, and preventing early refills.
Example: If you are dispensed 60 tablets of a medication, and you take 1 tablet twice a day (2 administrations per day), your Days Supply would be 60 tablets / (1 tablet/dose * 2 doses/day) = 30 days.
What is Total Quantity Needed?
Total Quantity Needed is the amount of medication required to cover a specific treatment period. This calculation is useful when a doctor prescribes a medication for a certain number of days, and you need to know how many units (e.g., pills, milliliters) the pharmacy should dispense.
Example: If your doctor prescribes a medication for 30 days, and you need to take 1 tablet three times a day (3 administrations per day), the Total Quantity Needed would be 30 days * 1 tablet/dose * 3 doses/day = 90 tablets.
Key Terms Explained:
Quantity Dispensed: The total amount of medication provided by the pharmacy (e.g., 30 tablets, 150 mL).
Desired Days Supply: The specific number of days you want the medication to last or for which it is prescribed.
Dose per Administration: The amount of medication taken each time (e.g., 1 tablet, 5 mL, 2 puffs).
Administrations per Day: How many times per day the medication is taken (e.g., once daily, twice daily, every 8 hours).
Unit Price ($): The cost of one unit of the medication (e.g., cost per tablet, cost per mL). This helps in estimating the total cost.
How to Use the Calculator:
For Days Supply & Cost: Enter the "Quantity Dispensed," "Dose per Administration," "Administrations per Day," and optionally the "Unit Price." Click "Calculate Days Supply" to see how long your medication will last and its estimated cost.
For Total Quantity Needed & Cost: Enter the "Desired Days Supply," "Dose per Administration," "Administrations per Day," and optionally the "Unit Price." Click "Calculate Quantity Needed" to find out how much medication you'll need and its estimated cost.
Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates based on the information you input and should not replace professional medical or pharmaceutical advice. Always consult with your doctor or pharmacist for precise dosage instructions, medication quantities, and cost information.