Pharmacy Tech Certification Module 2

Inactive Ingredients

ingredients that improve taste, appearance, stability, availability, and absorption

capsules

gelatin coated drug that’s easier to swallow

tablets

solid drug that can be scored for splitting

effervescent tablets

tablet you must dissolve in water before ingesting

enteric-coated tablets

tablets that are protected from stomach acid and pass through to the intestine to dissolve

troches/ lozenges

med that dissolves slowly in mouth for a local effect

buccal tablets

tablets absorbed between cheek and gums for slow absorption directly into bloodstream

sublingual tablets

tablets absorbed under the tongue for absorption into the bloodstream

orally disintegrating tablets

tablets that dissolve on the tongue in under a minute

films

thin oral strips that dissolve on or under the tongue

solutions

medication completely dissolved in a base

suspensions

medication with particles that isn’t completely dissolved in a base (“shake well”)

reconstitution

process of adding water to powder before dispensing medication bc it usually disintegrates too fast

elixirs

hydroalcoholic based solution

tinctures/ fluid extracts

alcohol OR water based solution; often plant extracts

spirits/ essences

solution with high alcohol percentage

syrups

medication form consisting of concentrated sugar with active ingredients

emulsions

mixture of oil and water; must “shake well”

liniments

heat producing cream

collodions

flexible film formed on skin to remove things like bunions

transdermal patches

deliver constant drug amounts over 12 hours to several days

suppositories

medicine delivered through the rectum or vagina

opthalamic vs otic

you can use eye stuff in ears but not ear stuff in eye

parenteral

injection medication (ie. insulin)

vial

storage for tablets and capsules

prescription bottles

storage for liquid meds

applicator bottles

contraption used to apply liquid meds using a rod to the skin

nitroglycerin

emergency heart med that can’t be child locked; must keep in original container and close tight so it doesnt disintegrate

patents

certification that prevents generic companies from ripping off brand names until 20 years after

Dispense as Written (DAW)

phrase a doctor checks/ writes to indicate that the prescribed med can’t be substituted for a generic product

bioequivalent

med that releases its active ingredient at the same rate and in the same amount as the original

pharmaceutical equivalents

med is the same, but outer touches (color, packaging, inactive ingredients, shape) may differ

pharmaceutical alternatives

med has the same function but can differ in dosage form or strength

therapeutic equivalents

pharmaceutical equivalents AND same clinical effect/ safety profile

therapeutic alternatives

diff active ingredients but similar clinical effect

stock bottle labels

labels that must include med name, med strength, legend, storage req, quantity, dosage form, manufacturer name, controlled substance (y/n), lot number (manufacturer batch), expiration date, NDC number (unique to each package size— first 5 digits = manufacturer; next 4 = name, strength, dosage; last 2 = package size

shelf life

time valid from manufacturing to expiration 

tall man letters

capitalized letters of names of meds that sound similar

medwatch

FDA’s voluntary reporting system for side effects and medication errors

Class I Medication Recall

Worst danger medication recall; product could cause serious health problems or death

Class II Medication Recall

Medium danger medication recall; product might cause temporary health prob or slight threat

Class III Medication Recall

Least danger medication recall; product is unlikely to cause harm but violates labeling or manufacturing laws

Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP)

nonprofit that educates patients and professionals on how to prevent medication errors

OSHA

Org that ensures a safe and healthy working environment

medication error category A

no error

medication error categories C & D

error reaches patient but no harm

medication error categories E & F

error reaches patient and causes temporary harm

medication error categories G & H

error reaches patient and causes permanent harm

medication error category I

error reaches patient and causes death; “sentinel event”

3 sections under Pregnancy and Lactation Labeling Rule (PLLR)

pregnancy, lactation, females/ males of reproductive potential

Places to find info on medications taken during pregnancy

package insert, physicians’ desk reference (PDR), Orange Book

Tobacco

during pregnancy, causes fetal underdeveloped lungs

Alcohol

during pregnancy, causes fetal alcohol syndrome/ birth defects