Common Registration Assessment, Part 1

Ranolazine prolonged-release titration and twice-daily doses for the GPhC assessment

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

Published 11 November 2026. Independent revision material, not GPhC questions, not for patient care.

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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 Ranexa (ranolazine) states that the recommended initial dose for adults is 375 mg twice daily, that after 2 to 4 weeks the dose should be titrated to 500 mg twice daily, and that according to the patient's response it may be further titrated to a recommended maximum dose of 750 mg twice daily.

The same information states that Ranexa is available as 375 mg, 500 mg and 750 mg prolonged-release tablets, and that treatment-related adverse events may require down-titration to 500 mg or 375 mg twice daily.

Because each step has its own tablet strength, a stepped dose needs no splitting: one tablet of the named strength twice daily.

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

The method

  1. Identify the stated week of titration and its stepped dose.
  2. Multiply the stated dose by two for the twice-daily daily total in mg.
  3. Count tablets at one per dose, using the matching tablet strength.
  4. Keep mg, tablet strengths, weeks and the maximum 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 ranolazine at the label initial dose. What is the dose, and what is the total in mg per day?

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Answer: 375 mg twice daily; 750 mg per day

Working: The label initial dose is 375 mg twice daily. 375 x 2 = 750 mg per day, one 375 mg tablet per dose.

Question 2

A fictional patient is titrated after 3 weeks to ranolazine 500 mg twice daily, as the label describes. What is the daily total in mg?

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Answer: 1000 mg per day

Working: 500 x 2 = 1000 mg per day, one 500 mg prolonged-release tablet per dose.

Question 3

A fictional patient takes the label maximum dose of ranolazine, using 750 mg tablets. How many tablets are taken each day, what is the daily total, and how many tablets are needed for 28 days?

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Answer: 2 tablets daily; 1500 mg per day; 56 tablets

Working: The maximum is 750 mg twice daily: 750 x 2 = 1500 mg per day, one 750 mg tablet per dose, 2 tablets daily. 2 x 28 days = 56 tablets.

eMC SmPC: Ranexa 375 mg prolonged-release Tablets

https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/6442/smpc

Where marks are lost

  • Doubling the tablet count instead of the dose; twice daily means two tablets and twice the mg each day.
  • Jumping straight to the maximum; the label titrates 375 mg, then 500 mg, then 750 mg twice daily, after 2 to 4 weeks at the first step.
  • Splitting a prolonged-release tablet to hit a step; each step has its own 375 mg, 500 mg or 750 mg tablet.

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 ranolazine titration?

No. Follow the stated week in the exercise. Real titration follows the prescriber and the product information.

How should I check the answer?

Read the titration step for the stated week, double the dose for the daily total, and count one matching tablet per dose.

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.