pharm tech notes

What does PO mean?

By mouth (oral route)

What does PRN mean?

As needed

What does BID mean?

Twice daily

What does TID mean?

Three times daily

What does QHS mean?

At bedtime

What does AC mean?

Before meals

What does PC mean?

After meals

What does IM mean?

Intramuscular injection

What does IV mean?

Intravenous injection

What does SL mean?

Sublingual (under the tongue)

What does SQ mean?

Subcutaneous injection

What does gtt mean?

Drops

What does hs mean?

At bedtime

What does q4h mean?

Every 4 hours

What does stat mean?

Immediately

What does NPO mean?

Nothing by mouth

What does OD mean?

Right eye

What does OS mean?

Left eye

What does OU mean?

Both eyes

Lipitor generic and use?

Atorvastatin, lowers cholesterol

Lisinopril generic and use?

Lisinopril, lowers blood pressure (ACE inhibitor)

Norvasc generic and use?

Amlodipine, lowers blood pressure

Synthroid generic and use?

Levothyroxine, treats hypothyroidism

Metformin generic and use?

Metformin, treats diabetes

Zoloft generic and use?

Sertraline, treats depression

Xanax generic and use?

Alprazolam, treats anxiety

Prilosec generic and use?

Omeprazole, treats acid reflux

Lasix generic and use?

Furosemide, diuretic / lowers blood pressure

Amoxil generic and use?

Amoxicillin, antibiotic

Advil generic and use?

Ibuprofen, pain/fever

Tylenol generic and use?

Acetaminophen, pain/fever

Albuterol generic and use?

Albuterol, treats asthma

Coumadin generic and use?

Warfarin, blood thinner

Singulair generic and use?

Montelukast, treats asthma/allergies

Celexa generic and use?

Citalopram, treats depression

Claritin generic and use?

Loratadine, allergy medication

Nexium generic and use?

Esomeprazole, treats acid reflux

Plavix generic and use?

Clopidogrel, blood thinner

Percocet generic and use?

Oxycodone/APAP, pain

ProAir HFA generic and use?

Albuterol, treats asthma

Glucophage generic and use?

Metformin, treats diabetes

Prozac generic and use?

Fluoxetine, treats depression

Ativan generic and use?

Lorazepam, treats anxiety

Advair generic and use?

Fluticasone/salmeterol, treats asthma

Pristiq generic and use?

Desvenlafaxine, treats depression

Omnicef generic and use?

Cefdinir, antibiotic

Keflex generic and use?

Cephalexin, antibiotic

Motrin generic and use?

Ibuprofen, pain/fever

Zocor generic and use?

Simvastatin, lowers cholesterol

Lopressor generic and use?

Metoprolol, lowers blood pressure

Toprol XL generic and use?

Metoprolol succinate, lowers blood pressure

Lantus generic and use?

Insulin glargine, treats diabetes

Humalog generic and use?

Insulin lispro, treats diabetes

Prevacid generic and use?

Lansoprazole, treats acid reflux

Flonase generic and use?

Fluticasone, treats allergies

Lexapro generic and use?

Escitalopram, treats depression/anxiety

Days supply formula?

Days’ Supply = Total Quantity ÷ Dose per day

Quantity to dispense formula?

Quantity = Days’ Supply × Dose per day

IV flow rate formula (gtt/min)?

(Volume × Drop Factor) ÷ Time (minutes)

Concentration formula?

mg/mL = mg ÷ mL

How to convert mg to g?

Divide by 1000

1 tsp = ? mL

5 mL

1 tbsp = ? mL

15 mL

1 oz = ? mL

30 mL

1 kg = ? lbs

2.2 lbs

1 gr = ? mg

65 mg

DEA’s role?

Enforce Controlled Substances Act

FDA’s role?

Approves drugs and ensures safety

HIPAA?

Protects patient privacy and health information

OBRA ’90?

Requires pharmacist counseling on medications

Schedule II drugs?

High abuse potential, no refills (e.g., oxycodone)

Schedule III drugs?

Moderate abuse, limited refills

Schedule IV drugs?

Low abuse, limited refills (e.g., Xanax)

Schedule V drugs?

Lowest abuse, some over-the-counter preparations

What is Tall Man lettering?

Capital letters in look-alike/sound-alike drugs to prevent errors

How should expired meds be handled?

Follow DEA disposal rules / reverse distributor

Steps in pharmacy workflow?

Drop off → Data entry → Fill → Pharmacist check → Dispense

Who can counsel patients?

Pharmacist only

What should a pharmacy tech do when unsure?

Ask the pharmacist

Key professionalism rules?

Confidentiality, polite communication, document errors, no medical advice

Common OTC pain relievers?

Acetaminophen (Tylenol), Ibuprofen (Advil)

Common OTC allergy meds?

Loratadine (Claritin), Cetirizine (Zyrtec)

Suffix -statin?

Cholesterol-lowering drugs

Suffix -pril?

ACE inhibitors for blood pressure

Suffix -olol?

Beta blockers for blood pressure

Suffix -sartan?

ARBs for blood pressure

Suffix -pam / -lam?

Benzodiazepines for anxiety

Suffix -cillin?

Penicillin antibiotics

Suffix -azole?

Antifungal medications

Suffix -ine?

Usually antidepressants (SSRIs)

Suffix -prazole?

Proton pump inhibitors for acid reflux

Suffix -triptan?

Treats migraines