Full name and date of birth are the two most common identifiers. For prescriptions fulfilled outside of a hospital, the patient’s phone number and/or current home address will usually be included, as well. One identifier isn’t enough, even if you use the patient’s full name. If two patients share the same name, it would be impossible to know which one the prescription refers to without any other identifier.
Note that your United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) number must also be included somewhere on the prescription. In most cases, this information will already be printed on the prescription form. If it isn’t, however, you will need to write it manually.
Time-sensitive drugs are rated based on schedule categories. [2] X Research source Schedule I drugs have a high potential for abuse and have no legally accepted medical use within the United States. Schedule II drugs have a high potential for abuse but do have some legally accepted medical use. Schedule III drugs have some potential for abuse and can be used for some medical purposes. Schedule IV drugs have a relatively low potential for abuse and are legally permitted for some medical purposes. Schedule V drugs have an even lower potential for abuse and are legally permitted for certain medical purposes.
It is strongly recommended that you write out the rest of the prescription and sign your name last. Doing so prevents unfinished or blank prescriptions from falling into the wrong hands. [4] X Research source
On most prescription forms, the “Rx” is already printed. Write the inscription information immediately after this symbol. The inscription includes all of the information about the specific drug you want to prescribe.
Use the name brand of the drug only when you specifically wish to prescribe the name brand. Keep in mind that doing so may make the prescription more expensive for the patient. If you want to prescribe the name brand, you should also include a note on the prescription reading “No Generics. " On most prescription forms, there will be a “Brand Name Only” or “No Generics” box you have the option of checking for this purpose.
The strength amount should be indicated in milligrams for tablets and suppositories and milliliters for fluids. Write words instead of abbreviations to avoid possible misunderstandings.
This information should usually be preceded by an appropriate heading, such as “dispense,” “disp,” “#,” or “how much. " Include the specific bottle size or number of tablets/capsules. Spell the numbers out to avoid possible miscommunication.
Only allow additional refills when the patient will need the exact same prescription multiple times. For example, you might wish to prescribe a year’s worth of oral contraceptives, yet each fulfillment of the prescription might only provide a month’s worth. On the prescription form, write “Refills 11” to indicate that eleven refills are permitted after the first fulfillment. After the final refill runs out, the patient will need a new prescription before any additional medication can be obtained. If you do not wish to permit any refills, write “Refills 0” or “Refills none” to indicate as much. Doing so reduces the risk of possible tampering.
Common options include: By mouth (PO) Per rectum (PR) Intramuscular (IM) Intravenous (IV) Intradermal (ID) Intranasal (IN) Topical (TP) Sublingual (SL) Buccal (BUCC) Intraperitoneal (IP)
For instance, you might write something like “one 30 milligram tablet” or “30 milliliters.
In fact, a medication that must be used “daily” or “every other day” must be written out in full. Abbreviations for these frequencies are prohibited. Other frequency abbreviations can be used, but it is still recommended that you spell out the instructions instead of using the abbreviated form. Several common options include: Twice a day (BID) Three times a day (TID) Four times a day (QID) Every bedtime (QHS) Every four hours (Q4H) Every four to six hours (Q4-6H) Every week (QWK)
Specify this diagnosis with the abbreviation “PRN. " For example, the statement for a pain medication might read “PRN pain. "
A few common examples include: “Take with food” “Avoid alcohol” “Keep refrigerated” “Do not freeze” “For external use only” “Shake before instillation”
