lab Prescription Writing

FORMAT &DEFINITION: It is a term applied to the formula written by a physician to the pharmacist for the preparation of remedies and to the patient for the use of these drugs.
Prescription Writing


IT is one of the most therapeutic transactions between physician &patient. Prescriptions are hand written on preprinted prescription forms are assembled in to pads, or alternatively printed on to similar form using a computer printer or in an electronic format.


Contents of prescription 1. Superscription 2. Inscription 3. Subscription 4.Transcription 5. Signature
Prescription Writing


SuperscriptionName ,address, qualifications and telephone number of prescriber.Name, age, address and sex of the patientDate of writing the prescription. Registration number and date.DiagnosisThe symbol Rx , which is an abbreviation of the Latin word “recipe” mean simply TAKE Prescription Writing


Inscription: it is the body of the prescription Name of medicine or medicines Strength of medicine Amount of medicine Pharmaceutical form
Prescription Writing

Inscription Example:- Rx Tetracyclin 250 mg capsule Dispense 20 caps

Prescription Writing



Subscription Directions from the physician to the pharmacist concerning the way of preparation to give the form and amount of the prescribing drug. This is applied when there is compound.
Prescription Writing

Subscription Example:- Paracetamol 500 mg Diazepam 2 mg make 8 caps

Prescription Writing


Transcription Direction for use to the patient Method of administration Amount to be taken Frequency of administration Time around meal
Prescription Writing

Prescription Writing

Labeling : When the physician wants his patient to know the name of the drug, the box on the prescription form marked "label" should be checked. Refills : The physician should designate the number of refills he wishes the patient to have.
Prescription Writing


Classification of controlled drugs Schedule I Drugs in this schedule have no accepted medical use and have a high abuse potential e.g. heroin ,marijuana. Schedule II High abuse risk but accepted medical use e.g. morphine ,opium, codeine .
Prescription Writing



Schedule III Abuse risk less than Schedule II, safe and accepted medical use e.g. Acetaminophen with codeine (Tylenol) Acetaminophen with hydrocodone (vicodine)
Prescription Writing


Schedule IV Abuse risk less than Schedule III And safe and accepted medical e.g. Diazepam (valium), chlordizepoxide, oxazepam, chloroazepate, flurazepam, etc. Schedule V Abuse risk less than Schedule IV And safe and accepted medical use e.g. antitussive and antidiarrheal
Classification of controlled agents


Refilling Prescriptions for Controlled Substances Refills for Schedule II drugs are not permitted. Refills for Schedule III, IV, and V drugs are permitted if the number of refills is indicated on the prescription. However, the prescription order may be renewed only up to five times within six months after the date of issue. After five renewals or after six months a new prescription order is required.

Abbreviation used in prescription writing

Meaning
Abbreviation
daily
I.d
Twice daily
B.I.d
Three times daily
T.I.d
Four times daily
Q.I.d
Before meal
a.c
after meal
p.c
Prescription Writing

Meaning

Abbreviation
orally
p.o.
intramuscular
I.m
intravenous
I.v
Subcutaneous rectally
S.C p.r
Prescription Writing


General notes 1. write in clear hand writing with correct names concerning the drugs. 2. Date of the prescription is important 3. you can use Scientific or commercial names of the drugs. 4. The prescriber may insist on certain brand of drug ( Please dispense as directed) .
Prescription Writing

5. Avoid personal abbreviation 6. Drug and food timing a. before meal : appetite stimulant, most antibiotics, antiulcer b. with the meal: digestive enzymes, steroids c. after meal : NSAIDS
Prescription Writing



7.Careful use of decimal points to avoid ambiguity e.g.. Using zero prefix decimals eg. 0.5 instead of .5 to avoid misinterpretation of .5 as 5 8. For refills ,the minimum duration between repeats &number of repeats should be specified .


In summery , to avoid the undesirable &/or serious effects on the patient, both physician &pharmacist must render the highest of professional services regarding: 1.accurate diagnosis 2.proper selection of medication 3.dosage form &routs of administration 4.proper size &timing of the dose 5.precise dispensing 6.accurate labeling & correct packaging must be provided