Prescribing Flashcards
What factors should you consider when prescribing?
Indication (diagnosis).
Recommended drug/regime.
Contraindications (allergies, breastfeeding, pregnancy).
Special considerations (drug interactions, co-morbidities, hepatic/kidney function, administration, age).
Product licence.
Patient ideas and expecttions.
Cost-effectiveness (Tayside Formulary).
Monitoring and follow up.
Who can prescribe?
Doctors.
Nurses who are independent prescribers.
Pharmacists who are independent prescribers.
What is the difference between brand and generic drugs?
All the same drug but with different branding and labels.
From brand to brand the drugs have to have the same clinical action.
What is the strength of a drug?
The amount of active ingredient in each dosage.
What is the dose of a drug?
The quantity to be administered at one time.
Why do certain drugs have modified release?
To make sure it works where it’s supposed to work; varied absorption.
Which drugs are brand prescribed and why?
Anti-epileptic drugs because from brand to brand they have different clinical effects.
Also, contraceptive pills and inhalers as the names of the drugs can be very long because they have multiple drugs in them.
What are the key pieces of information needed on a prescription?
Patient name.
Address and CHI number (age if under 12).
Drug name.
Formulation.
Strength.
Quantity.
Dose.
Frequency.
Signs and dated.
What is meant by a licensed drug?
A drug that is safe, of good quality from batch to batch or brand to brand and is proven effective in the condition you are wanting to treat.
What is meant by an off-label drug?
A drug that is safe, of good quality from batch to batch or brand to brand and is NOT proven effective in the condition you are wanting to treat.
What is meant by an unlicensed drug?
A drug that has not gone through clinical trials to prove its safety -> unsure of efficacy.
