Common Registration Assessment, Part 1

Alfuzosin 10mg modified release tablets and once daily doses for the GPhC assessment

Three original practice questions, with the working shown. Read the stated prescription or plan before calculating.

Published 7 November 2026. Independent revision material, not GPhC questions, not for patient care.

An older man sitting at a kitchen table eating a meal
Photo from Pexels, used under the Pexels licence. It is a stock image and does not show the exercise.

The manufacturer's UK product information for alfuzosin 10 mg prolonged release tablets states that for benign prostatic hyperplasia the recommended dose is one 10 mg tablet taken once daily after a meal.

The same information states that for acute urinary retention in patients aged 65 years and over, one 10 mg tablet is taken daily after a meal from the first day of catheterisation, given for 3 to 4 days in total: 2 to 3 days during catheterisation and 1 day after its removal.

It also states that the tablets should be swallowed whole.

Each question fixes the values needed for its arithmetic. Write the unit beside every step and distinguish a single dose from a daily total or a supply period. All prescriptions and patients here are fictional; these are revision materials, not for patient care.

The method

  1. Identify the stated daily dose in milligrams and the tablet strength supplied.
  2. Divide the daily dose by the tablet strength to count tablets per day.
  3. Multiply the daily tablet count by the stated number of days for a supply quantity.
  4. Keep milligrams and tablets separate; convert only when the question asks.

Three practice questions

Work each one on paper first, then open the answer. All patients and prescriptions are fictional.

Question 1

A fictional patient takes alfuzosin 10 mg once daily for benign prostatic hyperplasia. How many tablets are needed for a 30 day supply, and how many milligrams is that in total?

Show the answer

Answer: 30 tablets (300 mg)

Working: One 10 mg tablet each day x 30 days = 30 tablets. 10 mg x 30 days = 300 mg in total.

Question 2

A fictional patient aged 70 takes one alfuzosin 10 mg tablet daily for acute urinary retention, for the longest stated course of 4 days. How many tablets and how many milligrams is the course?

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Answer: 4 tablets (40 mg)

Working: One 10 mg tablet each day x 4 days = 4 tablets. 10 mg x 4 days = 40 mg in total.

Question 3

A fictional patient takes alfuzosin 10 mg once daily. How many milligrams is this over 12 weeks?

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Answer: 840 mg

Working: 12 weeks x 7 days = 84 days. 10 mg x 84 days = 840 mg.

eMC SmPC: Xatral XL 10mg prolonged release tablets

https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/1475/smpc

Where marks are lost

  • Forgetting that the 10 mg modified-release tablet is taken once daily, not split across the day.
  • Counting the catheter days and the day after removal as separate courses instead of one 3 to 4 day course.
  • Reporting only the tablet count when the question also asks for the total milligrams.

Frequently asked questions

Are these official assessment questions?

No. They are original revision exercises, not official GPhC questions and not for patient care.

Does this calculation decide a real alfuzosin course?

No. Follow the stated prescription in the exercise. Real dosing depends on the indication, age and blood pressure response, and the tablets are swallowed whole.

How should I check the answer?

Check the requested unit, then work backwards from the course to the stated daily tablet and number of days.

Sources

The questions above are original and use fictional patients and prescriptions. PreRegExamPrep is not affiliated with or endorsed by the General Pharmaceutical Council.

Practise until the method is automatic

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More calculation topics

See also the formula sheet, the eight sample questions and the approved calculator page.