The anatomy of a prescription
What is Rx?
This two-letter abbreviation stands for the Latin verb recipere, meaning "to take.''
What is PRN?
This Latin abbreviation (pro re nata) tells a patient to take medication "as needed" rather than on a set schedule.
What is Reconstitute?
The process of adding distilled water to a powder formulation, such as an antibiotic.
What is a Partial Fill?
This occurs when a pharmacy provides a "starter amount" of medication because the full quantity is not in stock.
What is DAW2?
This DAW code is used when a patient specifically prefers the brand-name drug over the generic.
What is the Inscription?
This specific part of a prescription identifies the name of the drug, the dose, and the quantities of the ingredients.
What is an ADR (Adverse Drug Reaction)?
This is an unexpected negative consequence resulting from taking a particular medication.
What is Non-sterile Compounding?
The preparation of medication from several ingredients in response to a physician's order; also called extemporaneous compounding.
What is a Transfer Out?
A prescription that is being moved from your pharmacy to a different one.
What is Extemporaneous Compounding?
This process uses "non-sterile" techniques to create customized medications.
What is the Sig?
This section of the prescription provides the specific directions for the patient to follow when taking the medication.
What is a DUR (Drug Utilization Review)?
This software procedure alerts pharmacists to potential errors in dosage, drug interactions, or allergies.
What is Extemporaneous Compounding?
This type of compounding is done for a patient's immediate, specific need when the product is not commercially available.
What is a Transfer In?
A prescription that is brought into your pharmacy from a different location.
What is DUR?
This three-letter acronym is the "check engine light" of pharmacy software for safety.
What is an E-prescription?
This computer-generated digital order is processed online rather than being hand-written on paper.
What is a DEA Number?
This identification number is assigned to practitioners authorized to handle or prescribe controlled substances.
What are "Shake Well" and the Expiration Date?
When reconstituting a powder, these two pieces of information must be added to the label.
What is a Prescription on File?
A prescription that is kept by the pharmacy to be filled at a future date.
What is the DEA?
This federal agency assigns numbers to providers to track the prescribing of narcotics.
What is a Prescription?
Known as an "order" in a hospital setting, this is a direction for medication written by a licensed practitioner.
What is DAW (Dispense As Written)?
Use this code (specifically "1") to indicate that a brand-name drug is medically necessary and a generic is not allowed.
What is a Unit Dose?
This term describes the amount of drug prepackaged for a single administration to a specific patient at a specific time.
What is a Unit of Use?
A stock container that holds a fixed number of doses, usually a one-month supply (like 30 tablets).
What is an ADR?
The specific term for a negative reaction to a drug that was not intended by the doctor.