Pharmacy Technician

Oral Meds

tabs, caps, suspensions, etc We use Take by mouth

TROCHE/LOZENGE, SUBLINGUAL and BUCCAL

we use PLACE under the tongue, in between cheek & gums

TOPICALS and TRANSDERMALS

we use Apply (to skin or affected area)

INHALERS

we use INHALE (through mouth or nose)

OTIC and OPHTHALMIC

we use INSTILL (in ear or eye)

SUPPOSITORIES

we use INSERT (rectally or vaginally)

PARENTERALS

we use INJECT (under the skin)

Sig Code Abbreviations

OTC

over the counter

QOD

every other day

BP

blood pressure

BTC

behind the counter

AC

before meals

Q

every

PC

after meals

D

day

PRN

as needed

QD

every day

TID

three (3) times a day

PO

by mouth

i or I

one

ii or II

two

SubQ/SQ

subcutaneously

NPO

nothing by mouth

INH

inhale

HA

head ache

AD

right ear

AS

left ear

AU

both ears

OD

right eye

QID

four times a day

GTT/GTTS

drop/drops

STAT

immediately/now

Q____H

every____hours

AM

morning (before noon)

PM

evening

HS

bedtime (hour of sleep)

QAM

every morning

QPM

every evening

H/HR

hour

BIW

bi-weekly (can mean twice a week or every 2 weeks)

BID

two (2) times a day

AA

affected area

BIL

bilaterally or pertaining to 2

HBP

high blood pressure

OS

left eye

OU

both eyes

PV

per vagina

N/V

nausea and vomiting

ATC

around the clock

PR

rectally

SOB

shortness of breath

Transcribe the following sigs:

i tab po q 4-6 prn pain

Take one tablet by mouth every 4 to 6 hours as needed for pain

inh i puff qid for SOB

INHALE one puff four times a day for shortness of breath

i gtt ou bid

INSTILL one drop in both eyes twice (or two times) per day

i supp PR tid for n/v

INSERT one suppository rectally three times a day for nausea and vomiting

i patch aa biw

APPLY one patch to affected area twice a week

inj u subq qam

INJECT 30 units under the skin (subcutaneously) every morning

PATIENT TERMS

Compliance

the patient taking the drug in the manner it is prescribed. If the prescription is written for 1 tablet every day, a patient considered compliant if they do not miss doses and do not take more than prescribed.

Indication

the symptom or disease that a drug is used to treat. Example-aspirin for headache.

Contraindication

an allergy, disease, or circumstance that makes the use of a specific drug inadvisable. Example-a truck driver should not take a drug that causes daytime drowsiness.

Drug Interactions

when another drug, food, or disease state interacts with a drug the patient is taking. Example-a patient on Tetracycline antibiotics should not consume dairy products.

Adverse Drug Reaction (ADR)

an injury caused by taking a medication (can happen with 1st dose or after many doses)

Side Effect

unintended effect of a drug. Example-a medication causes dizziness when taken.

HEMATOLOGY DRUG TEST LIST

ANTICOAGULANTS

Brand

Generic Name

Angiomax

bivalirudin OTC-No Route IV Subclass direct thrombin inhibitor

Arixtra

fondaparinux OTC-No Route SQ factor Xa inhibitor

Coumdin

warfarin OTC-No Route Oral vitamin K antagonist

Hep-Lock

heparin OTC-No Route IV,SQ heparin

Lovenox

enoxaparin OTC-No Route SQ low molecular weight heparin

Pradaxa

dabigatran OTC-No Route Oral direct thrombin inhibitor

Xarelto

rivaroxaban OTC-No Route Oral DVT prophylaxis

ANTIPLATELETS

Brand

Generic Name

Aspirin (ASA)

acetylsalicylic acid OTC-yes Route Oral irreversible cyclooxygenase inhibitor

Effient

prasugrel OTC-No Route Oral adenosine diphosphate (ADP) receptor inhibitor

Plavix

clopidogrel OTC-No Route Oral adenosine diphosphate (ADP) receptor inhibitor

Ticlid

ticlopidine OTC-No Route Oral adenosine diphosphate (ADP) receptor inhibitor

Zontivity

vorapaxar OTC-No Route Oral protease-activated receptor-1 (PAR-1) antagonist

SUPPLEMENTS

Brand

Generic Name

Cobalamin (B12)

cyanocobalamin OTC-yes Route Oral Subclass N/A

Folate (B9)

folic acid OTC-yes Route Oral N/A

Slow Fe

ferrous sulfate OTC-yes Route Oral N/A

Mephyton

vitamin K (phytonadione) OTC-No Route Oral, SQ reversal agent for Coumadin overdose

DIURETICS

Brand

Generic Name

Aldactone

spironolacrone OTC-No Route Oral Subclass potassium sparing diuretic

Bumex

bumetanide OTC-No Route Oral Loop diuretic

Dyazide/Maxzide

hydrocholorothiazide OTC-No Route Oral combo diuretic

Lasix

furosemide OTC-No Route Oral, IV, IM loop diuretic

Microzide

Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) OTC-No Route Oral thiazide diuretic

ALPHA BLOCKERS

Brand

Generic Name

Cardura

doxazosin OTC-No Route Oral Subclass N/A

Flomax

tamsulosin OTC-No Route Oral N/A