Method for Increasing and Reducing Formulae

So how do you increase or reduce a formula?
Look at the following example showing how to increase a formula.
The same method is used for reducing a formula.

The source formula for Paraffin Ointment BP 1988 is:-
White Beeswax
20g
Hard Paraffin
30g
Cetosterayl Alcohol
50g
White Soft Paraffin
900g
You need to prepare 1500 g of Paraffin Ointment BP 1988. How much of each ingredient do you need?
Click to Remove Example
Find out what the source formula is eg from the British Pharmacopeia.
Find the total mass of the source formula.
Total Mass = 20 + 30 + 50 + 900 = 1000 g
Find by how much you need to increase the formula.
You need 1500 g and you know what is in 1000 g.
You need to make 1500 / 1000 times MORE of the product
ie 1.5 times more product.
You are increasing the formula by the amount :        Required Mass       
Source Formula Mass
Multiply each part of the source formula by how much you need to increase the formula.
You need White Beeswax 20 x 1.5g = 30g
  Hard Paraffin 30 x 1.5g = 45g
  Cetostearyl Alcohol 50 x 1.5g = 75g
  White Soft Paraffin 900 x 1.5g = 1350g
Check your calculations.
Checking the Calculation
It is essential that you check your calculations. If you have made a mistake and the proportions of the chemicals have changed, you may endanger the life of the person for whom you have made the preparation.

Check the degree of the increase:
  Required increase = 1500 / 1000 = 1.5
Increase In: White Beeswax = 30 / 20 = 1.5
  Hard Paraffin = 45 / 30 = 1.5
  Cetostearyl Alcohol = 75 / 50 = 1.5
  White Soft Paraffin = 1350/900 = 1.5
Check the proportions of the chemicals:
    Source Formula Calculated Amounts
  White Beeswax 20/1000  = 0.02 30/1500 = 0.02
  Hard Paraffin 30/1000 = 0.03 45/1500  = 0.03
  Cetostearyl Alcohol 50/1000 = 0.05 75/1500 = 0.05
  White Soft Paraffin 900/1000 = 0.9 1350/1500 = 0.9
Click to Continue