Common Registration Assessment, Part 1

Sucralfate suspension doses and daily maximums for the GPhC assessment

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

Published 14 November 2026. Independent revision material, not GPhC questions, not for patient care.

A gloved hand pouring an amber liquid from a plain brown bottle into a measuring spoon
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 sucralfate suspension, at a strength of 1 g in 5 ml, gives 2 g twice a day on rising and at bedtime, or 1 g four times a day taken 1 hour before meals and at bedtime, for duodenal ulcer, gastric ulcer, gastritis and reflux oesophagitis.

The maximum daily dose is 8 g. Four to six weeks of treatment is usually needed for ulcer healing, and up to 12 weeks may be necessary in resistant cases.

For prophylaxis of gastrointestinal bleeding from stress ulceration in seriously ill patients, the usual dose is 1 g six times a day. Antacids may be used for pain relief but should not be taken within half an hour before or after the suspension.

Each question fixes the values needed for its arithmetic. Convert every dose to ml with the stated strength and total the day in grams. All prescriptions and patients here are fictional; these are revision materials, not for patient care.

The method

  1. Choose the schedule: 2 g twice a day, or 1 g four times a day before meals and at bedtime.
  2. Convert grams to ml with 1 g = 5 ml of suspension.
  3. Keep the daily total at or below the 8 g maximum.
  4. Plan 4 to 6 weeks for ulcer healing, up to 12 weeks in resistant cases.
  5. Keep antacids at least half an hour away from a sucralfate dose.

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 2 g twice a day. How many ml of suspension is each dose, and what is the daily total in grams and ml?

Show the answer

Answer: 10 ml per dose; 4 g (20 ml) a day

Working: 2 g x 5 ml = 10 ml per dose. 2 g x 2 doses = 4 g a day, which is 10 ml x 2 = 20 ml a day.

Question 2

A fictional seriously ill patient is prescribed 1 g six times a day for stress ulcer prophylaxis. What is the daily total, and does it stay within the maximum?

Show the answer

Answer: 6 g a day, within the 8 g maximum

Working: 1 g x 6 = 6 g a day. 6 g is below the 8 g maximum daily dose in the product information.

Question 3

A fictional patient takes 1 g four times a day for the longest resistant-case course. How many ml of suspension is the whole 12-week course?

Show the answer

Answer: 1,680 ml

Working: 1 g four times a day is 4 g a day, which is 4 x 5 ml = 20 ml a day. 20 ml x 7 = 140 ml a week. 140 ml x 12 weeks = 1,680 ml.

eMC SmPC: Sucralfate 1g/5ml Oral Suspension

https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/102747/smpc

Where marks are lost

  • Totalling only one of the two daily doses when the schedule is 2 g twice a day.
  • Exceeding the 8 g daily maximum by combining schedules.
  • Taking an antacid within half an hour of a sucralfate dose.

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 dose?

No. Follow the stated prescription in the exercise. Real dosing follows the prescriber and the product information for the named product.

How should I check the answer?

Convert each dose to ml with the 1 g in 5 ml strength, total the day in grams and compare with the 8 g maximum before checking the 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.

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More calculation topics

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