Common Registration Assessment, Part 1

Calcitriol microgram capsule strengths and daily doses for the GPhC assessment

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

Published 10 November 2026. Independent revision material, not GPhC questions, not for patient care.

Gold softgel capsules in and around a small white bowl
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 calcitriol 0.25 microgram capsules states that for renal osteodystrophy the initial daily dose is 0.25 micrograms, that in patients with normal or only slightly reduced calcium levels 0.25 micrograms every other day may be sufficient, and that the daily dosage may be increased by 0.25 micrograms at 2 to 4 week intervals.

The same information states that most patients respond to between 0.5 micrograms and 1.0 microgram daily, and that for post-menopausal osteoporosis the recommended dose is 0.25 micrograms twice daily.

It also states that serum calcium levels should be determined at least twice weekly during titration, and that treatment should be stopped until normocalcaemia ensues if calcium rises above the stated threshold.

Each question fixes the values needed for its arithmetic. Write the unit beside every step and distinguish a daily dose from an every-other-day dose. All prescriptions and patients here are fictional; these are revision materials, not for patient care.

The method

  1. Identify whether the stated dose is daily or every other day.
  2. Divide the stated micrograms by the 0.25 microgram capsule strength for the capsule count.
  3. Apply the stated 0.25 microgram titration steps at the stated intervals.
  4. Keep micrograms, capsules and weeks 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 adult starts calcitriol for renal osteodystrophy at the label initial dose, using 0.25 microgram capsules. What is the daily dose, and how many capsules is that each day?

Show the answer

Answer: 0.25 micrograms; 1 capsule

Working: The label initial daily dose is 0.25 micrograms. 0.25 / 0.25 = 1 capsule daily.

Question 2

A fictional patient starts calcitriol 0.25 micrograms daily and the dose is increased by 0.25 micrograms at week 4 and again at week 8. What is the daily dose at week 8, and how many 0.25 microgram capsules is that each day?

Show the answer

Answer: 0.75 micrograms; 3 capsules

Working: 0.25 + 0.25 + 0.25 = 0.75 micrograms daily at week 8. 0.75 / 0.25 = 3 capsules daily.

Question 3

A fictional patient takes calcitriol 0.25 micrograms twice daily for post-menopausal osteoporosis, using 0.25 microgram capsules. How many capsules are needed for 28 days?

Show the answer

Answer: 56 capsules

Working: 2 capsules daily (morning and evening). 2 x 28 days = 56 capsules, a total of 14 micrograms over the 28 days.

eMC SmPC: Calcitriol 0.25 microgram Capsule

https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/101902/smpc

Where marks are lost

  • Counting an every-other-day dose as a daily dose when working out capsules per day.
  • Stepping up by 0.5 micrograms at a time; the label titration step is 0.25 micrograms at 2 to 4 week intervals.
  • Rounding 0.75 micrograms down to two capsules; 0.75 divided by 0.25 is exactly 3 capsules.

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 calcitriol dose?

No. Follow the stated prescription in the exercise. Real dosing is titrated to biochemical response, with serum calcium checked at least twice weekly during titration.

How should I check the answer?

Fix the daily microgram dose from the stated titration step, then divide by 0.25 micrograms per capsule, keeping daily and every-other-day regimens separate.

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.