Recording-2025-02-19T13:42:40.474Z

Key Concepts of Prescription Management

Understanding Suspensions

• Suspensions are mixtures where particles are not completely dissolved, requiring agitation (shaking) to mix thoroughly.

• Common pharmaceutical practice involves reconstituting powders into liquid forms before dispensing.

  • Requires additional consideration of dosage forms and pack sizes.

Dispensing Considerations

• Pack Size Limitations: Must dispense full pack sizes based on available inventory even if the required dose is less.

  • Example: If a prescription needs 125 mg but is available only in 150 mg packs, the pharmacist must dispense the full 150 mg, which is above the prescribed amount.

  • Rationalization is crucial: avoid dispensing irrational amounts (e.g., more than necessary for the patient).

Reconstituted Medicines

• After adding water to a dry powder (reconstitution), the medication’s stability changes:

  • Original expiration might be long (like 02/19/2060), but reconstitution shortens stability to 7 or 14 days based on storage (room temp vs. fridge).

• Stability Definition: How long the medication remains effective and safe for use.

  • Critical to track the changes in stability post-reconstitution to avoid dispensing expired or ineffective medicine.

Patient Instructions and Labels

• Clear and detailed instructions are crucial:

  • Instruct on taking the prescribed quantity and discarding any unused portions correctly.

  • Use auxiliary labels (with critical information) but ensure they don’t lead to confusion about dosing or expiration.

• Importance of knowing the patient’s use-case, like potential delays in starting medication (e.g., awaiting lab results).

Auxiliary Labels and Communication

• Auxiliary labels provide important information but must be clear: avoid redundant or confusing instructions to simplify patient understanding.

• The need for a condensed dosing regimen can also be based on anticipated patient behavior (e.g., if they need to take it sooner due to a long wait for a prescription).

Calculating Dosage and Dispense Quantities

• Always calculate and document dispensed quantities based on pack sizes.

  • For example, if a prescription requires 200 mL, ensure the adjusted pack size aligns with that need (like using a 60 mL bottle repeatedly).

• Ensure proper documentation in the prescription system is handled meticulously: fill in dispense quantity correctly and eye for date-labeling upon delivery.

Reacting to Expiration and Stability Rules

• If a patient receives reconstituted medicine, they must use it within the stated period (7 or 14 days as indicated) regardless of the original expiration on the bottle.

• Familiarity with terms like 'shake well' and stability is vital to maintain patient safety and adherence to medication guidelines.