PTCB Math, Sig Codes, Stems, Law, and Safety Review

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering PTCB pharmacy math, sig codes, generic drug stems, federal pharmacy laws, and drug interaction/safety concepts.

1 tsp

$$5\,mL$$

1 tbsp

$$15\,mL$$

1 fl oz

$$30\,mL$$

1 cup

$$8\,oz = 240\,mL$$

1 pint

$$16\,oz = 480\,mL$$

1 quart

$$32\,oz = 960\,mL$$

1 gallon

$$128\,oz = 3840\,mL$$

2.2 lb

$$1\,kg$$

1 in

$$2.54\,cm$$

Fahrenheit to Celsius Formula

$$^{\circ}C = (^{\circ}F - 32) \times \frac{5}{9}$$

Celsius to Fahrenheit Formula

$$^{\circ}F = (^{\circ}C \times \frac{9}{5}) + 32$$

Ratio Strength 1:1000

$$1\,g / 1000\,mL = 1\,mg/mL$$

King Henry Died By Drinking Chocolate Milk

Memory aid for metric units (kilo, hecto, deka, base, deci, centi, milli)

bid

Twice daily

tid

Three times daily

qid

Four times daily

ac

Before meals

pc

After meals

po

By mouth

SL

Sublingual

qhs

Every night at bedtime

prn

As needed

od

Right eye

os

Left eye

ou

Both eyes

ad

Right ear

as

Left ear

au

Both ears

DAW

Dispense as written

qs

Quantity sufficient

-pril

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors; used as antihypertensives

-sartan

Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs); used as antihypertensives

-olol

Beta blockers; used for antihypertension or rate control

-statin

HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors; used as antihyperlipidemics

-triptan

5-HT1B/1D agonists; used for migraine treatment

-afil

Phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) inhibitors; used for erectile dysfunction

-prazole

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs); used for GERD/acid suppression

-azole

Azole antifungals

-zepam / -zolam

Benzodiazepines; used as anxiolytics or sedatives

-setron

5-HT3 receptor antagonists; used as antiemetics

-dronate

Bisphosphonates; used for osteoporosis treatment

Schedule II (C-II)

High abuse potential with accepted medical use; strictly controlled and allows no refills

Schedule III-V Refill Rule

Up to 5 refills within 6 months federally

Inhibitor

Blocks enzyme activity so substrate levels increase and toxicity risk rises

Inducer

Increases enzyme activity so substrate levels fall and treatment failure risk rises

CYP3A4

A major enzyme that metabolizes many drugs and has the most clinical interactions

High-Risk Teratogens

ACE inhibitors, ARBs, Warfarin, Methotrexate, Valproate, Isotretinoin, Finasteride, Statins, Spironolactone, and Raloxifene

Pure Food and Drug Act (1906)

The first federal law regulating drugs; focused on accurate labeling and purity

Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (1938)

Required drugs to be safe and prohibited adulteration and misbranding

Durham-Humphrey Amendment (1951)

Separated drugs into Prescription (Rx) and OTC categories; required the federal legend on labels

Kefauver-Harris Amendment (1962)

Required proof of efficacy (drugs must be safe and effective) and mandated Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs)

Controlled Substances Act (1970)

Created drug schedules (I-V) and the DEA to regulate drugs with abuse potential

Poison Prevention Packaging Act (1970)

Required child-resistant packaging for most potentially harmful drugs, with exceptions like Nitroglycerin

Drug Listing Act (1972)

Established the National Drug Code (NDC) system

NDC Format (5-4-2)

A 10 or 11 digit code where the first 5 digits represent the manufacturer, the next 4 the product code, and the last 2 the package size

Orphan Drug Act (1983)

Provides incentives, such as 7-year market exclusivity, to develop drugs for rare diseases affecting fewer than 200,000 people

OBRA '90

Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990; established the requirement for pharmacists to offer counseling to patients

HIPAA (1996)

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act; protects patient privacy and Protected Health Information (PHI)

Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act (2005)

Restricted sales of pseudoephedrine/ephedrine to behind the counter with record-keeping and quantity limits

CMEA Quantity Limits

$3.6\,g/\text{day}$ and $9.0\,g/30\,\text{days}$

Adulteration

Occurs when a drug is filthy, impure, or when its strength, quality, or purity differs from the label or standards

Misbranding

False or misleading labeling, or missing required warnings and information