Table 1.

Example of mathematical calculation of the Drug Burden Index (using clinical scenario)

Medications in clinical scenario	Daily dose (D)	Minimum recommended daily dose (δ)	Individual DBI
Irbesartan 300 mg, daily	300 mg	75 mg (no anticholinergic or sedative effects)	0
Darifenacin 15 mg, daily	15 mg	7.5 mg (anticholinergic effects)	0.67
Temazepam 7.5 mg, at night	7.5 mg	7.5 mg (sedative effects)	0.50
Acetaminophen 300 mg, 2 tablets tds	1,800 mg	300 mg (no anticholinergic or sedative effects)	0
Codeine 15 mg, 2 tablets tds	90 mg	120 mg (sedative effects)	0.43
Total DBI calculation
$DBI={\displaystyle \sum \frac{D}{D+\delta }}$			1.60

Notes: This is an example of a medication regimen for an older adult in the USA; minimum daily dose as recommended by the US Food and Drug Administration.

Abbreviations: tds, three times a day; DBI, Drug Burden Index.