Prescription Writing

Definition

A prescription is
an instruction
from a
prescriber to a
dispenser
Writing Prescriptions
Who can write a Rx?

Practitioners
Physicians, veterinarians, dentists
Current Prescription Formatting

Name, address, and telephone

number of the prescriber
Name, sex and age of the patient
Date of the prescription
 The Rx symbol
Name of drug (generic names)
Dose of the drug and frequency of
administration
Amount to be dispensed
Directions to the patient
 Prescribers signature
Refill instructions
Generic substitution
instructions
 Information on a
prescription
Name and address of the prescriber,
with telephone number (if possible)
Name and address of the patient; age (for children and elderly)
This is usually pre-printed on the form. If the pharmacist has any
questions about the prescription (s)he can easily contact the prescriber.

Date of the prescription

Name and strength of the drug
R/(not Rx) is derived fromRecipe(Latin for take). After R/you should
write the name of the drug and the strength. It is strongly
recommended to use the generic (nonproprietary) name. This
facilitates education and information. Do not substitute or Dispense
as written if that brand, and no other, is to be dispensed.
Prescriber's initials or signature
Contents of the Prescription
Name of the drug
Multiple drugs per prescription can add
to confusion
KEEP IT SIMPLE
Sample Prescription-
Write legibly
CASE #1

Poor handwriting contributed to a medication dispensing error

that resulted in a patient with depression receiving the antianxiety
agent Buspar 10 mg instead of Prozac 10 mg
CASE #2

A hypertensive patient accidentally received Vantin 200 mg

( Cefpodoxime) instead of Vasotec ( ACE inhibitor) 20 mg when a
pharmacist misread this prescription
 Recommended
abbreviations
Abbreviations Latin English meaning
a.c Ante cibum Before meals
a.m. Ante meridiem Morning
b.d.s Bis die sumendum Twice daily
b.i.d , b.d. Bis in die Twice daily
Bol. bolus Single large dose IV
cap Capsule
c. cum With
cc Cum cibo With food
CST Continue same
treatment
g / gm Gram
gtt Gutta(e) Drops
h.s Hora somni At bed time
Abbreviations Latin English meaning
ID Intra dermal
IV Intra venous
IM Intra muscular
NPO Nil per os Nil per orally
od Omni in die Once a day
p.c Post cibum After meals
p.m. Post meridien afternoon
PR Per rectum By rectally
t.i.d. ter in die three times a day
t.d.s Ter die sumendum Three times a day
q.d.s Quarter die sumendus Four times a day
q.i.d Quarter in die Four times a day
SC Sub cutaneous
sos si opus sit if needed
stat statim immediately
 Case 1
1. Mr. W is having sore throat,
productive cough and fever for 2
days. You diagnose it as pharyngitis.
Write a prescription for this patient.
 Doctors details
Doctors name, Address, phone no.
Patient details Date:
Patients name, age, gender, Address,

Rx,
Paracetamol 500mg sos (10 tablets)
Amoxicillin 500mg tds (1-1-1) 5days (15 tablets)
Bromhexine 8mg tds (1-1-1) (10 tablets)

Review after 5 days ( if necessary)

Doctors
signature
 Case 2
2. Mr. L came to medical outpatient
department with high fever,
abdominal discomfort and diarrhea.

After investigation, it was

diagnosed as food poisoning. Write
a prescription for this patient .
Doctors details
Doctors name, Address, phone no.
Patient details Date:
Patients name,age, gender, Address,

Rx, Paracetamol 500mg sos (1-1-1) (10 tablets)

Ciprofloxacin 500mg b.i.d (1-0-1) 14 days
B- vitamin complex once a day (0-0-1) (10 tablets)

Doctors
signature
 Case 3
3. Mr. M, 55 years old diagnosed to
have hypertension. Physician decides
to start enalapril 5mg (once a day in
the morning). Write a prescription for
this patient.
Doctors details
Doctors name, Address, phone no.

Patient details Date:

Patients name,age, gender, Address,

R x,
Enalapril 5 mg once a day (1-0-0) 15 days
Review after 15 days
Doctors signature
Contents of the Prescription
Practitioner Name, Address,
Telephone number
Date of the order
Patient Name and Address
Name of the drug
Strength of the drug
Quantity of the drug
Directions for use