Common Registration Assessment, Part 1

Levofloxacin 250mg and 500mg tablets and course lengths 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.

A person holding an orange blister pack of tablets over a table with a glass of water
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 levofloxacin 250 mg tablets states that for acute bacterial sinusitis the dose is 500 mg once daily for 10 to 14 days, for acute bacterial exacerbations of chronic bronchitis 500 mg once daily for 7 to 10 days, and for community-acquired pneumonia 500 mg once or twice daily for 7 to 14 days.

The same information states that for uncomplicated cystitis the dose is 250 mg once daily for 3 days, and for chronic bacterial prostatitis 500 mg once daily for 28 days.

It also states that for patients with a creatinine clearance of 50 to 20 ml per minute the dose is adjusted: for a 250 mg daily regimen, a first dose of 250 mg is followed by 125 mg every 24 hours.

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 indication, the single dose, the frequency and the course length in days.
  2. Divide the single dose by the tablet strength to count tablets per dose.
  3. Multiply tablets per dose by the daily frequency, then by the number of days, for the course quantity.
  4. Keep milligrams, tablets and days 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 levofloxacin 250 mg once daily for 3 days for uncomplicated cystitis. How many 250 mg tablets is the course, and how many milligrams in total?

Show the answer

Answer: 3 tablets (750 mg)

Working: One 250 mg tablet each day x 3 days = 3 tablets. 250 mg x 3 days = 750 mg.

Question 2

A fictional patient takes levofloxacin 500 mg once daily for 28 days for chronic bacterial prostatitis, using 500 mg tablets. How many tablets is the course, and how many grams in total?

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Answer: 28 tablets (14 g)

Working: One 500 mg tablet each day x 28 days = 28 tablets. 500 mg x 28 days = 14,000 mg = 14 g.

Question 3

A fictional patient takes levofloxacin 500 mg twice daily for 7 days for community-acquired pneumonia, using 500 mg tablets. How many tablets is the course?

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Answer: 28 tablets

Working: One 500 mg tablet per dose x 2 doses = 2 tablets each day. 2 tablets x 7 days = 28 tablets.

eMC SmPC: Levofloxacin 250mg tablets

https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/12130/smpc

Where marks are lost

  • Using the 500 mg strength for an uncomplicated cystitis course, which is stated as 250 mg once daily for 3 days.
  • Reporting milligrams when the question asks for grams, leaving the answer a thousand times out.
  • Keeping the full daily dose after the first dose in the stated renal adjustment instead of stepping down.

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 levofloxacin course?

No. Follow the stated prescription in the exercise. Real courses depend on the infection, kidney function and local antimicrobial guidance.

How should I check the answer?

Check the requested unit, then work backwards from the course total to the stated daily dose and course length.

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

Try 15 free questions with worked answers. No sign-up required.

More calculation topics

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