Pharmacy Procedures & Drug Handling Flashcards
Prescription vs OTC
- Rx
- FDA determines drug status (toxicity, purpose, dosing)
- Only dispensed upon DVM order - OTC
- Might be low-dose version of Rx drug
- Purchased & used without DVM consult
What is a prescription?
An order to a pharmacist, written by a licensed veterinarian, to prepare the prescription meds, to affix the directions, & to sell the preparation to the client.
Required parts of Prescriptions (11)
- Name of hospital or DVM w address & phone.
- Date Rx written
- Client name & address
- Patient name & species
- Rx (name, strength, # dispensed)
- Sig (Tx instructions)
- Name of DVM cautionary statements
- Ex: w/food, refrigerated, etc - Withdrawal time
- Refills # if appropriate
- DEA # if controlled
- Vet signature
Dispensing drugs is something only ___ or trained ___ staff. Prescriptions should be properly ___ when dispensed. Medications must be dispensed in ___ containers or owners cautioned. Labels with ___ statements may also be used on the prescription.
- Pharmacists
- Veterinary
- Labeled
- Childproof
- Cautionary
T/F: Veterinary staff members cannot refill or dispense medications without vet approval
True
What should the label on the medication include? (10)
- Name of hospital or DVM w address & phone.
- Date of the order
- Client name & address
- Patient name & species
- Rx (name, strength, # dispensed)
- Direction for use (in common terms)
- Name of DVM cautionary statements
- Ex: w/food, refrigerated, etc - Withdrawal time
- Refills # if appropriate
- Expiration date
Abbreviations to know
1. h
2. OD
3. OS
4. OU
5. PRN
6. q
7. TB
- Hour
- Right eye
- Left eye
- Both eyes
- As needed (too vague for Rx)
- Every
- Tablespoon
What should be done with drugs after they expire? Why?
Discarded or returned.
They are less effective and certain drugs become unsafe.
- Unstable structure (tetracyclines)
- Loss of sterility (for inj)
- Formation of precipitates
T/F: It is okay to use drugs with precipitate
False. Do NOT use drugs with precipitate!!
(drug becomes solid within a solution)
How should temperature sensitive drugs be stored? (2)
- According to the manufacture’s label.
- Fridge drugs stored in center, next to thermometer.
- Not on door
- Not in produce bins
- Special issue for large animal DVMs
How should light sensitive drugs be stored? (3)
- Keep in amber containers
- Store in closed cabinets
- Cover IV bags when added (ex Vit B)
How should moisture sensitive drugs be stored? (2)
- Keep silica packets in bottles
- Store in dry areas
How to maintain sterility with drugs: (2)
- Do not reconstitute until ready to use
- Do not keep longer than label instructions (ex: propofol)
T/F: Do not use drugs that has changed colors
True!
Cytotoxic drugs patient/personnel harm
1. Immunosuppressive
2. Teratogenic
3. Carcinogenic
- Lower WBC
- Cause birth defects
- Cause cancer
Cytotoxic drugs
1. Antineoplastic drugs
2. Antifungal drugs
- Treat cancer or severe immune disease
- Treat fungal infections
T/F: Cytotoxic drugs have no potential to cause harm to the patient, vet personnel or family members if exposure occurs
False. There is very much a potential for this
Chemotherapy agents should be stored away from all other ___ and clearly marked with ___ signs. These drugs must be disposed of in ___ containers, separate from biohazard packaging.
Only staff specifically ___ in chemotherapy should handle these drugs.
Patients being given chemo drugs must be clearly marked so that ___, ___, & __ ___ are handled appropriately.
- Drugs
- Hazard
- Special
- Trained
- Urine, Feces, & IV catheters
Compounding drugs
1. Meaning?
2. Allowed in vet med?
- Any manipulation of a drug form that is different than that approved by the FDA.
- Allowed only if that form doesn’t already commercially exist.
- Flavored compounds
- Capsules of drugs no longer available to humans
- Raw chemicals into capsules
- Formulating different forms
Who should compound drugs? Why? (2)
- Licensed compounding pharmacist
- Why?
- Special training needed (pH, stability, absorption rates, interactions, etc)
- Special equipment
Drug disposal
1. Best method
2. Alternative method
- Incineration!
- Return to distributor
- Disposal agency - Alt
- Double seal with cat litter for landfill
T/F: You can flush drugs down drains or toilets for disposal
FALSE! Do not do this!!
