Prescriptions-Understanding What They Say and Mean
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Prescription medications are used for treating various types of pain and their causes like inflammation and muscle spasms. Medication can be an important component of a multi-approach treatment plan. Today they are computer-generated and transmitted electronically to a local pharmacy. This article is to help understand what they say and what they mean.
Prescription Shorthand example could be something like – Medication Name 250 mg PO bid x 5 days.
The first part is themedication name, which can be a brand name or have a generic name.
The second part is 250 mg. This refers to how strong the medication is. In this case, it is 250 milligrams.
PO means the medication is taken by mouth.
The bid means twice a day.
The x 5 days means that this prescription is to be taken for 5 days.
Most of us know the Rx to mean prescription. This is true, with Rx being the abbreviation for the Latin word that means to receive. Prescription abbreviations come from Latin terminology. Here are some common ones used today.
Abbreviation
Translation
Latin Terminology
ac
before meals
ante cibum
bid
twice a day
bis indie
cap
capsule
capsula
gt
drop
guuta
hs
at bedtime
hora somni
od
right eye
oculus dexter
os
left eye
oculus sinister
po
by mouth
per os
pc
after meals
post cibum
pil
pill
pilula
prn
as needed
pro re nata
q2h
every 2 hours
quaque 2 hora
qd
every day
quaque die
qh
every hour
quaque hora
qid
4 times a day
quater in die
tab
tablet
tabella
tid
3 times a day
ter in die
Understanding what a prescription says is more than just getting it filled at the pharmacy. Remember medications are not without risk. Here are a few guidelines designed to help individuals at the doctor�s office, pharmacy, and at the house.
Contents
Doctor Discussions
Make sure the doctor knows the entire medical history. Include past reactions to medications like rashes, indigestion, dizziness, and loss of appetite even if only a minor reaction.
If taking vitamins, supplements, and herbal compounds a doctor needs to know what is being taken, how much, and how often. This is because certain supplements are known to react with certain medications.
Over-the-counter medications can be purchased without a prescription but that does not mean not without risk. Tell the doctor precisely what is being taken, the dosage, frequency, and the reason for taking these medicines.
Ask the doctor for the full name of the medication that is being prescribed.
Discuss the use of the medication
The proper dosage
How often to be taken
If a dose is missed
Possible interactions with other medications including over-the-counter
Reaction/s to the medication
How it’s supposed to work
Side effects
Activity level affects
Can it be taken with coffee, alcohol, supplements, etc
Take notes to help remember the information.
Ask for available written material/information about the medication.
The Pharmacy
The pharmacy and the patient’s profile is needed for the information included in the records like surgeries, allergies, and other medications being taken. This is to prevent a medication/s interaction complication.
Tamper-resistant caps will be provided if children or young adults are present.
Ask the pharmacist to include what the medication is used for on the label or if it is too long then a printout.
Not remembering how to take the prescription happens. Contact the pharmacy/pharmacist and do not guess.
For many, the doctor will telephone, or have a direct line with a pharmacy/s to send prescriptions instantly. However, it is a good idea to review the dose and frequency with the doctor or pharmacist to be completely sure.
If a new medication has been prescribed, the pharmacist can fill only half the prescription. This is in case a reaction or side effect presents and can help in saving on the cost.
Traveling to a different state/city/climate could require modifications, as some medications will not work properly if there is exposure to sun or other elements.
Certain large pills or tablets can be difficult to swallow, so before crushing or splitting, check with the pharmacist. Some medications have alternative forms of ingestion.
At Home Medication Safety
With children in the house don�t keep the medication in the nightstand or on the bathroom counter or cabinet. Always keep medications in a secure area.
Keep an antidote like Syrup of Ipecac. This is to induce vomiting if poison or harmful chemical is swallowed. Learn the dosing directions and precautions before an emergency.
Keep the phone numbers for poison control center and EMS.
Reaction or any side effects, call the doctor immediately.
Do not mix medications with other medicines along with their bottles. Keep medications in the bottles they came in. Mixing medications in one bottle can alter stability.
Keep medications in a dark, dry, and cool (non-refrigerated unless indicated) place. Heat, light, and humidity can affect medication potency and stability.
Take medications as directed by the doctor. Medications that are strong enough to heal can also cause damage/injury if taken incorrectly.
Never share or take another person’s medication.
Only give children medication when fully awake and alert.
Some prescriptions and over-the-counter medications come with a dosing cup. Cups can be different sizes along with the dosing measurements. Do not use a cup from another product.
When the prescription expires, destroy the unused medication and bottle or take them to a drug disposal site. Some pharmacies offer this service.
Keep a list including medical history and medications being taken on a regular basis along with the dose and frequency in a wallet or purse. This information can help during a medical emergency.
Understanding the medication is the key to treating the condition. These recommendations could help to be healthy and safe.
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Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We also make copies of supporting research studies available to the board and or the public upon request. We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation as to how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900. The provider(s) Licensed in Texas& New Mexico*
The information herein on "Prescriptions-Understanding What They Say and Mean" is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional or licensed physician and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make healthcare decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified healthcare professional.
Our information scopeis limited to Chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, contributing etiological viscerosomatic disturbances within clinical presentations, associated somatovisceral reflex clinical dynamics, subluxation complexes, sensitive health issues, and/or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions.
We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from various disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for the injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system.
Our videos, posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate to and directly or indirectly support our clinical scope of practice.*
Our office has reasonably attempted to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We provide copies of supporting research studies available to regulatory boards and the public upon request.
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We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation of how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez, DC, or contact us at 915-850-0900.
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