15 Prescription Writing

A prescription is an order for medication that is dispensed to or for an ultimate user.
- A prescription can also be an order for a service (such as physical therapy) or medical equipment.
To be valid, a prescription for a controlled substance must be issued for a legitimate medical purpose by a registered practitioner acting in the usual course of sound professional practice.
Prescribing to immediate family and self-prescribing of non-controlled medications is discouraged by most licensing boards and professional associations in all but emergent situations or for very minor conditions.
Prescribing controlled medications to immediate family or self is not allowed.
In most states, prescription privileges for a DMD/DDS limit their prescription abilities to within their scope of dental medicine.

A prescription must include the following information:

Date of issue.
Patient’s name and address.
Practitioner’s name, address, and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) registration number (DEA # needed for controlled substances).
Drug name (Rx).
Drug strength.
Dosage form (tablets, capsules, liquid).
Quantity prescribed [(Disp): e.g., number of tabs].
Directions for use [(Sig): e.g., includes dosage, route of administration, frequency, and maximum dose, if relevant].
Number of refills (if any) authorized.
Manual signature of prescriber.

A prescription must be written in ink or indelible pencil or typewritten and must be manually signed by the practitioner.

**Table 15.1** Common prescription abbreviations
Abbreviation	Meaning	Category
A.M.	Morning	Time
ac	Before meals	Time
ATC	Around the clock	Time
bid, BID	(bis in die) twice per day	Time
cap	Capsule	Dosage form
cc	Cubic centimeter	Measurement
disp	Dispense	Other
DOB	Date of birth	Other
g	Gram	Measurement
h, or hr	(hora) hour	Time
hs, or HS	(hora somni) at bedtime	Time
mcg	Microgram	Measurement
mg	Milligram	Measurement
mL	Milliliter	Measurement
NPO	(nil per os) nothing by mouth	Other
OTC	Over the counter	Other
p.r.n., or prn	(pro re nata) as needed	Time
pc	After meals	Time
PO, or p.o.	(per os) by mouth, orally	Route of administration
PM	Evening	Time
q	(quaque) every	Time
q4h	Every 4 hours	Time
q6h	Every 6 hours	Time
q8h	Every 8 hours	Time
qh	Every hour	Time
qhs	Each night at bedtime	Time
qid	(quarter in die) four times per day	Time
Rx	Prescription	Other
Sig.	(signa) label, let it be printed	Other
tab	Tablet	Dosage Form
tbsp	Tablespoon	Measurement
TID, tid	(ter in die) three times per day	Time
tsp	Teaspoon	Measurement
w/o	Without	Other
x	Multiplied by	Other

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Dec 8, 2021 | Posted by drzezo in General Dentistry | Comments Off