Overview of prescription
Prescriptions are orders for medications and services issued by physician, dentist or other health care provider who is authorized by law to prescribe.
Prescription contains following information
1) Patient Information: Name and Address
2) Date: It is the date on which the prescription was issued.
3) Name and Dosage form of the product
4) Product strength: Depends on the dosage some times pharmacist will decide which strength to dispense.
5) Quantity to be dispensed: If the quantity is not written, based on the dosage and duration of therapy pharmacist will decide how much to dispense.
6) Repeating of prescription: If it is not mentioned then it is understood that it is only for one time use.
7) Directions for the pharmacist: Directions for compounding or Directions for labeling.
8) Directions for the patient: These will be interpreted by pharmacist and written on the label in lay man language.
9) Prescriber information : This includes name, address and the signature of the prescriber.
Some of the Abbreviation which commonly used in prescription.
a.c Before meals
a.d Right ear
a.s Left ear
a.u Each ear
a.m Morning
aq. Water
b.i.d Twice a day
c. With
dil. Dilute
disp. Dispense
gtt. Drop
h.s At bed time
o.d Right eye
o.s Left eye
o.u Each eye
p.c After meals
p.o By mouth
p.r.n When required
q.d Every Day
q.h Every hour
q.i.d Four times a day
q.o.d Every other day
q.s Sufficient quantity
s With out
s.o.s If there is need
ss. One-half
t.i.d Three times in a day
u.d As directed
Written by: Healthplus24 team
Date last updated: March 24,2012