Common Registration Assessment, Part 1

Ticagrelor loading doses and twice-daily tablet counts for the GPhC assessment

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

Published 31 October 2026. Independent revision material, not GPhC questions, not for patient care.

Yellow stethoscope with a red paper heart on a pale surface
Photo from Pexels, used under the Pexels licence. It is a stock image and does not show the exercise.

The NHS lists ticagrelor tablets in 60 mg and 90 mg strengths, and states that the first day of treatment is a single 180 mg dose, usually two 90 mg tablets taken at the same time.

The NHS states that after the first day the usual dose is 90 mg twice a day for 12 months after a heart attack or unstable angina.

The NHS states that a doctor may then advise 60 mg twice a day for up to 3 years, and that after a minor stroke or TIA ticagrelor is taken with aspirin for the first 30 days.

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 course supply. All prescriptions and patients here are fictional; these are revision materials, not for patient care.

The method

  1. Separate the loading day from the maintenance days before counting.
  2. Work out how many tablets make each stated dose from the given strength.
  3. Multiply the twice-daily tablet count by the number of days stated.
  4. Convert months to the stated day count only as the question fixes it.
  5. Keep the 60 mg and 90 mg strengths in separate lines of working.

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 a 180 mg loading dose on day 1, then 90 mg twice a day for the next 29 days. Using 90 mg tablets, how many tablets are needed for the 30 days?

Show the answer

Answer: 60 tablets

Working: Day 1: 180 mg = 2 tablets; 29 days x 2 tablets = 58; 2 + 58 = 60 tablets.

Question 2

A fictional prescription reads ticagrelor 90 mg twice a day for 12 months. Using 30 days per month, how many 90 mg tablets is the full course?

Show the answer

Answer: 720 tablets

Working: 12 months x 30 days = 360 days; 2 tablets x 360 days = 720 tablets.

Question 3

A fictional patient continues on ticagrelor 60 mg twice a day. How many 60 mg tablets are needed for 90 days?

Show the answer

Answer: 180 tablets

Working: 2 tablets x 90 days = 180 tablets.

NHS: How and when to take ticagrelor

https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/ticagrelor/how-and-when-to-take-ticagrelor/

Where marks are lost

  • Counting the loading day as an ordinary maintenance day.
  • Mixing 60 mg and 90 mg tablets in the same line of working.
  • Treating arithmetic as evidence that a real prescription is clinically suitable.

Frequently asked questions

Are these official assessment questions?

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

Can a tablet-count calculation justify changing an antiplatelet course?

No. Follow the course in the exercise. Stopping or changing ticagrelor needs clinical checks.

How should I check the answer?

Check the requested unit, then work backwards from the quantity to the stated dose and duration.

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.