Conversion Factors in Pharmacy

Front

Conversion factor for kilograms to grams

Back

1 kg = 1,000 g. Explanation: This is a basic metric conversion used in pharmacy for scaling drug dosages or compounding ingredients from larger to smaller weights. Mnemonic: "King (kg) has 1,000 Grand (g) subjects."

Front

Conversion factor for milligrams to micrograms

Back

1 mg = 1,000 mcg (or µg). Explanation: Commonly used for very small doses, like in hormone therapies or pediatric medications, to avoid decimal errors. Mnemonic: "Mighty (mg) mouse carries 1,000 Micro (mcg) crumbs."

Front

Conversion factor for pounds to grams

Back

1 lb = 454 g (approximately). Explanation: Useful when converting imperial patient weights to metric for international standards or precise calculations. Mnemonic: "Lucky (lb) bird eats 454 Grams (g) of seeds."

Front

Conversion factor for grains to milligrams

Back

1 gr = 64.8 mg (often approximated as 65 mg in pharmacy). Explanation: From the apothecary system; used in older prescriptions or for drugs like aspirin, where 5 gr = 325 mg. Mnemonic: "Grain (gr) grandpa takes 65 Milli (mg) pills."

Front

Liters to deciliters conversion

Back

1 L = 10 dL. Explanation: Sometimes used in laboratory values or nutritional labeling for fluids. Mnemonic: "Liter (L) lion drinks 10 Deci (dL) cups."

Front

Milliliters to cubic centimeters conversion

Back

1 mL = 1 cc (or cm³). Explanation: These are equivalent; used interchangeably in syringes and vial measurements. Mnemonic: "Milli (mL) matches Cubic (cc) centimeter for centimeter."

Front

Gallons to liters conversion

Back

1 gal = 3.785 L (U.S. gallon). Explanation: For large-volume conversions in manufacturing or storage of pharmaceutical liquids. Mnemonic: "Gallon (gal) giant drinks 3.785 Liters (L)."

Front

Pints to milliliters conversion

Back

1 pt = 473 mL (approximately). Explanation: Common in oral liquid medications or when advising patients on volume equivalents. Mnemonic: "Pint (pt) pirate drinks 473 Milli (mL) rum."

Front

Teaspoons to milliliters conversion

Back

1 tsp = 5 mL. Explanation: Standard for pediatric or small-dose liquids; critical to prevent overdosing with droppers or syringes. Mnemonic: "Tea (tsp) time: 5 Milli (mL) in a spoon."

Front

Conversion factor for fluid drams to milliliters (apothecary)

Back

1 fl dr = 3.7 mL (approximately). Explanation: Apothecary volume unit; equivalent to about 1 teaspoon in some contexts, used in compounding. Mnemonic: "Fluid (fl) dragon breathes 3.7 Milli (mL) fire."