Decoding Your Prescriptions: Undestanding Pharmacy Abbreviations

DECODING YOUR PRESCRIPTIONS Rx Rx Rx Rx UNDERSTANDING PHARMACY ABBREVIATIONS Reading a doctor's prescription can feel like reading something in a foreign language. Understanding the prescription process-from who can write you a prescription to latin abbreviations to generic drug names-is an important part of taking control of your health. Who Can Write Prescriptions? Federal and local law grant the power to prescribe to a variety of medical professionals. In all 50 States, with respect to their area In all 50 States of practice DR. LOLA FLUFFERTON MD • Physicians (M.D. or D.O.) • Physician Assistants • Advanced practice • Dentists • Podiatrists • Optometrists registered nurses • Nurse practitioners In some states, and • Nurse anesthetists in collaboration with • Certified nurse midwives a physician or drug • Clinical nurse specialists formulary • Clinical pharmacists Why Is it Important to Know My Prescription? Understanding your prescriptions, especially if you take multiple medications, will help you monitor for potential allergens, better communicate with your physician, and avoid adverse drug reactions (ADRS), which are a serious health problem. 82% 29% of American adults take at take 5+ medications least 1 medication 2 million I00,000 The rate of ADRS increases serious ADRS deaths per year exponentially amongst patients per year caused by ADRS taking 4+ medications Some common ADRS caused by drug interactions Oral Rifampin Aspirin Warfarin Lithium e Diuretics contraceptives O (antiobiotic) increased risk altered levels of sodium decreased contraceptive of bleeding in the kidneys effectiveness What Goes Into a Prescription? Drug name Directions for use • Strength Rx Quantity prescribed • Dosage Number of authorized refills What Do Those Abbreviations Mean? Physicians will often use latin abbreviations and shorthand when writing prescriptions. When to take your medication Where to use How often to take How much medication your medication your medication to take • ac - before meals • bid - twice a day •po - by mouth • ad - right ear •i, ii, iii, iiii - 1, 2, 3, 4 • hs - at bedtime •prn - as needed (dose size) •pc - after meals • as - left ear •q - every • aa - of each • au - both ears As in • cap - capsule • od - right eye • qhr - every hour • gtt - drops • q4hr - every 4 hours • qAM - every morning • os - left eye •ss - one half • subq - subcutaneously • sup - suppository • tab - tablet • qs - every shift • tid - three times a day •mg - milligrams • ml - milliliters • tbsp - tablespoon • tsp - teaspoon Example Prescription. DR. LOLA FLUFFERTON MD Colace 100mg Drug name and strength i tab PO qAM Dosage and directions for use Disp #30 (thirty) Quantity prescribed Refills O Authorized refills What About Generic Drugs? The FDA defines a generic drug as "A drug product that is comparable to a brand/reference listed drug product in dosage form, strength, route of administration, quality and performance characteristics, and intended use" Generics are Brand name cost 80-85% They work just as well as less expensive Generics cost brand name drugs than brand name drugs Brand Name Generic Name • Tylenol → • Acetaminophen 80% • Zoloft • Sertraline • Tamiflu -→ • Oseltamivir • Demerol → • Meperidine of prescriptions filled in the • Xanax • Alprazolam US are for generic drugs When you receive a prescription from a medical professional, make sure you know what you're getting. Understanding your prescriptions will help keep you informed and healthy. Sources CARRINGTON http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/440315 The Starting Point for Health Care Careers. http://ajph.aphapublications.org/doi/pdf/10.2105/AJPH.75.3.258 http://www.dentalboard.ms.gov/msbde/msbde.nsf/webpages/FAQ_prescribing?OpenDocument http://www.op.nysed.gov/prof/pod/podfaq.htm http://optometrytimes.modernmedicine.com/optometrytimes/content/tags/bill-239/new-law-expands-optometrists-prescribing-powers?page=full http://www.ashpmedia.org/ppmi/docs/casestudy_ragan.pdf http://www.aafp.org/afp/2000/0315/p1745.html http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/pubs/manuals/pract/section5.htm http://www.polaris.edu/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Adult-Pharmacy-Tech-Additional-Information.pdf http://www.d.umn.edu/medweb/Modules/Prescription/Abbreviations.html http://medicalschoolhq.net/prescription-writing-101/ http://www.fda.gov/downloads/Drugs/DevelopmentApprovalProcess/SmallBusinessAssistance/ucm127615.pdf http://www.fda.gov/drugs/resourcesforyou/consumers/buyingusingmedicinesafely/understandinggenericdrugs/ucm167991.htm http://www.merckmanuals.com/home/drugs/trade-name_and_generic_drugs/overview_of_generic_drugs_and_drug_naming.html http://www.emedexpert.com/lists/generic.shtml http://www.medicinenet.com/alprazolam/article.htm Rx 00000.. ::::::..