Understanding Your Doctor’s Prescriptions Physicians are renowned for their messy handwriting. There are times that even if you can read it, you find it mind-cracking to comprehend what’s written. Doctor’s prescriptions use Latin abbreviations and medical terminology for instructions on which medicine and how it should be administered that are rather unusual for ordinary people. Understanding your doctor’s prescriptions is critical in knowing what medication do you need to intake and prevent the occurrence of any medical error. Having a prior knowledge of what medicine you need reduces the risk of improper refill of pharmacist that may occur once the prescription is not properly understood. Nowadays, some physicians are using electronic prescribing that may be e-mailed or fax to your pharmacy. You may request to have a copy before leaving the clinic to read and to check what was written. Never hesitate to ask for clarification to your doctor, healthcare assistant, office staff or pharmacist. Doing so can prevent any error or mishap from taking place. The doctor’s prescriptions consist of health info, such as your name, address, birthday, age, date, a blank area for the signature of the physician, and a blank area to fill the following instructions: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
Name of the medication Dosage of medication Frequency of medication When to take the medication How to administer medication How many times the prescription should be refilled How much medicine should be given to you
To help you understand your doctor’s prescriptions, here are the commonly used medical abbreviations or symbols on prescriptions: 1. Frequency of Medication
ad lib – freely, as needed bid – twice a day
prn – as needed q – every q3h – every 3 hours q4h – every 4 hours qd – every day qid – four times a day qod – every other day tid – three times a day 2. Schedule of Medication
ac – before meals hs – at bedtime int – between meals pc – after meals 3. Dosage of Medication
caps – capsule gtt – drops i, ii, iii, or iiii – the number of doses (1, 2, 3, or 4) mg – milligrams ml – milliliters ss – one half tabs – tablets tbsp – tablespoon (15ml) tsp – teaspoon (5ml) 4. Administration of Medication
ad – right ear al – left ear c or o – with od – right eye os – left eye ou – both eyes po – by mouth s or ø – without sl – sublingual top – apply topically
Your physician may write whether generic or branded medication is prescribed for your medical condition. Unless the doctor’s prescription indicated “DAW” or dispense as written, the pharmacist can dispense a generic medication even if your doctor wrote a branded name drug. Be informed that it is illegal for the pharmacist to dispense a generic version of drug if your doctor indicated DAW on your prescription. For any queries and concerns, feel free to approach your doctor for clarification.
Source: Pharmacy in Brooklyn