Common Registration Assessment, Part 1

Ursodeoxycholic acid weight band capsules and divided doses 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.

Amber soft gel capsules spilled from a plain white bottle onto a white surface
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 Ursofalk 250 mg capsules (ursodeoxycholic acid) gives weight bands for primary biliary cholangitis: 47-62 kg uses 3 capsules daily, 63-78 kg uses 4, 79-93 kg uses 5, 94-109 kg uses 6 and over 110 kg uses 7.

During the first 3 months the daily capsules are divided over the day; the 4-capsule band, for example, is split 1 in the morning, 1 at midday and 2 in the evening. Once liver values improve, the daily dose may be taken once daily in the evening.

For the dissolution of gallstones, the same information gives a usual dose of 8-12 mg per kg per day taken in the evening, for example 750 mg daily, over 6 to 24 months depending on stone size and composition.

Each question fixes the values needed for its arithmetic. State the weight band beside every answer and keep the two indications separate. All prescriptions and patients here are fictional; these are revision materials, not for patient care.

The method

  1. Read the body weight and pick the band: 47-62, 63-78, 79-93, 94-109 or over 110 kg.
  2. Multiply the capsule count by 250 mg for the daily mg total.
  3. For the first 3 months, split the capsules across morning, midday and evening as the product information shows.
  4. Once liver values improve, the daily dose may move to once daily in the evening.
  5. For gallstone dissolution, multiply the weight by 8-12 mg per kg for the evening 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 weighs 70 kg and starts Ursofalk for primary biliary cholangitis. How many 250 mg capsules a day does the weight band give, and how are they divided in the first 3 months?

Show the answer

Answer: 4 capsules daily; 1 in the morning, 1 at midday and 2 in the evening

Working: 70 kg sits in the 63-78 kg band, which the product information gives as 4 capsules a day, divided 1-1-2 during the first 3 months. That is 1,000 mg a day.

Question 2

The same fictional patient's liver values improve after 3 months. How can the 4 capsules be taken from then on?

Show the answer

Answer: All 4 capsules once daily in the evening

Working: The product information says that with improvement of the liver values the daily dose may be taken once daily in the evening, so 4 capsules (1,000 mg) in the evening.

Question 3

A fictional 75 kg patient is prescribed ursodeoxycholic acid at 10 mg per kg in the evening to dissolve gallstones. What is the evening dose in mg and in 250 mg capsules?

Show the answer

Answer: 750 mg; three 250 mg capsules

Working: 75 kg x 10 mg = 750 mg. 750 / 250 = 3 capsules, taken in the evening. The product information gives 8-12 mg per kg per day for gallstone dissolution, so 10 mg per kg sits inside the range.

eMC SmPC: Ursofalk 250mg Hard Capsules

https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/145/smpc

Where marks are lost

  • Taking the whole day's capsules in one go during the first 3 months, when the product information divides them over the day.
  • Reading the band boundaries loosely and placing a 78 kg patient in the 5-capsule band.
  • Using the weight band table for gallstone dissolution, which the product information doses by mg per kg instead.

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?

Match the weight to its band, count the capsules and multiply by 250 mg, then check the morning, midday and evening split adds back to the same daily total.

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.