Ibuprofen is the active ingredient in one of the “non-aspirin” pain relievers. R
ID: 277528 • Letter: I
Question
Ibuprofen is the active ingredient in one of the “non-aspirin” pain relievers. Regular strength tablets contain 200 mg of ibuprofen. How many tablets would be toxic to half the population of 70 kg humans (assuming the rat oral LD50 values apply to humans)? Show your calculation. Regular strength aspirin contains 325 mg of aspirin. If the oral LD50 for rats for aspirin is 200 mg/kg, assuming the rat oral LD50 values apply to humans what is the oral LD50 for rats for a 70 kg human, how many tablets would be toxic to half the population of 70 kg human)? Show your calculations. Which one would you consider to be a safer pain reliever, ibuprofen or aspirin? In other words, which pain reliever is less likely to overdose? Use specific data to defend your claims. Note: To estimate the oral LD50 value (in g) for 70 kg humans using the oral LD50 values for rats, multiply the oral LD50 value (in mg) for rats by 70 and then covert the result to grams.
Explanation / Answer
Part A
Ibuprofen
Aspirin
Determination of LD50 for humans
LD50 rats = 636mg/Kg body weight
Weight of average human = 70Kg
Therefore, LD50 for humans
= (70 * 636)
= 25440mg
LD50 rats = 200mg/Kg body weight
Weight of average human = 70Kg
Therefore, LD50 for humans
= (70 * 200)
= 14000mg
Part A
Ibuprofen
Aspirin
Determination of number of tablets to reach the lethal dose
Lethal dosage = 25440mg
Amount of drug in 1 tablet = 200mg
Number of tablets required in order to consume lethal dosage
= (25440)/(200)
= 127 tablets
Lethal dosage = 14000mg
Amount of drug in 1 tablet = 325mg
Number of tablets required in order to consume lethal dosage
= (14000)/(325)
= 43 tablets
Conclusion
Humans are more likely to overdose on Aspirin tablets, and less likely to overdose on Ibuprofen tablets.
Part A
Ibuprofen
Aspirin
Determination of LD50 for humans
LD50 rats = 636mg/Kg body weight
Weight of average human = 70Kg
Therefore, LD50 for humans
= (70 * 636)
= 25440mg
LD50 rats = 200mg/Kg body weight
Weight of average human = 70Kg
Therefore, LD50 for humans
= (70 * 200)
= 14000mg
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