Common Registration Assessment, Part 1

Vortioxetine tablet strengths and once daily dose steps for the GPhC assessment

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

Published 5 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 Brintellix film-coated tablets states that the starting and recommended dose of vortioxetine is 10 mg once daily in adults under 65 years of age, and that depending on individual response the dose may be increased to a maximum of 20 mg once daily or decreased to a minimum of 5 mg once daily.

The same information states that the lowest effective dose of 5 mg once daily should always be used as the starting dose in patients aged 65 years or older, and that caution is advised when treating patients aged 65 years or older with doses higher than 10 mg once daily.

It also states that after the depressive symptoms resolve, treatment for at least 6 months is recommended for consolidation of the antidepressive response.

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 daily dose in milligrams and the tablet strength supplied.
  2. Multiply the daily dose by the stated number of days for a milligram total.
  3. Multiply the daily tablet count by the stated number of days for a supply quantity.
  4. Keep milligrams and tablets 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 patient starts vortioxetine at the recommended starting dose of 10 mg once daily. How many milligrams is this over 28 days?

Show the answer

Answer: 280 mg

Working: 10 mg each day x 28 days = 280 mg in total.

Question 2

A fictional patient's vortioxetine dose is increased from 10 mg once daily to the maximum of 20 mg once daily using 20 mg tablets. How many tablets are needed for a 30-day supply?

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Answer: 30 tablets

Working: One 20 mg tablet each day x 30 days = 30 tablets.

Question 3

A fictional patient aged 70 starts vortioxetine at 5 mg once daily using 5 mg tablets. How many tablets are needed for 8 weeks of treatment?

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Answer: 56 tablets

Working: 8 weeks x 7 days = 56 days. One 5 mg tablet each day x 56 days = 56 tablets.

eMC SmPC: Brintellix 20 mg film-coated tablets

https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/7121/smpc

Where marks are lost

  • Applying the adult 10 mg start to a question that states the patient is 65 or older.
  • Mixing up the 5 mg minimum, 10 mg starting dose and 20 mg maximum.
  • Turning weeks into days before choosing the once-daily tablet count.

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 vortioxetine dose?

No. Follow the stated prescription in the exercise. Real dosing checks include age, response and interacting medicines.

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.