A prescription for sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim (Bactrim) suspension is given as 1 tsp qid x 10 days. Which package should be used to dispense this prescription?

To determine the correct package for dispensing sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim (Bactrim) suspension given as 1 teaspoon (tsp) four times a day (qid) for 10 days, first, we need to calculate the total dosage required.

1 teaspoon is approximately 5 milliliters (ml). Therefore, the daily dosage is:

1 tsp x 4 (to account for qid) = 5 ml x 4 = 20 ml per day.

Over the course of 10 days, the total volume required is:

20 ml/day x 10 days = 200 ml.

To convert this to ounces (as prescriptions are often dispensed in ounces), we use the conversion where 1 oz is approximately 30 ml:

200 ml ÷ 30 ml/oz = about 6.67 oz.

Considering this total volume calculation, the most suitable size to adequately dispense the required medication without underfilling would be the 8 oz prescription bottle. This allows for proper measurement and accommodates any potential medication loss during dispensing or administration.

The 6 oz bottle would be insufficient to hold the entire prescribed amount, while the 4 oz bottle would be even less suitable, as it would greatly limit