1. What is the Days Supply Formula?

The Days Supply formula calculates how long a medication will last based on the total quantity dispensed and the prescribed daily dosage. It's essential for medication management and refill scheduling.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Days Supply formula:

Where:

• \( DS \) — Days Supply (days)
• \( TQ \) — Total Quantity (units)
• \( DD \) — Daily Dose (units/day)

Explanation: The formula divides the total quantity of medication by the daily dosage to determine how many days the supply will last.

3. Importance of Days Supply Calculation

Details: Accurate days supply calculation is crucial for proper medication adherence, refill scheduling, insurance billing, and preventing medication shortages or overuse.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the total quantity of medication in units and the daily dosage in units per day. Both values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What if the medication is taken multiple times per day?
A: The daily dose should be the total units taken per day. For example, if taking 2 units twice daily, the daily dose would be 4 units/day.

Q2: How do I calculate days supply for PRN (as needed) medications?
A: For PRN medications, use the maximum expected daily usage rather than a fixed daily dose for a conservative estimate.

Q3: What about medications with variable dosing?
A: For medications with titrated dosing, calculate based on the average expected daily dose or the maximum prescribed dose.

Q4: How does this apply to combination medications?
A: For combination products, calculate days supply based on the limiting component or the entire unit depending on the specific medication.

Q5: Are there rounding rules for days supply?
A: Typically, days supply is rounded to the nearest whole day, though specific rounding rules may vary by pharmacy or insurance requirements.