Vocabulary Ch7 Flashcards
Drug Information
When a provider needs to know drug-related information, the pharmacist goes through a process of referencing a drug information resource. There are many to choose from depending on the specific question that needs to be answered. The pharmacy technician is often asked to find this information for the pharmacist, even though the pharmacist is typically the one who actually communicates the information to the provider, or in some cases, the patient. Accordingly, pharmacy technicians must understand the commonly used drug information resources and must know how to use each one to find the needed information.
1- What are the available strengths of a drug?
2- What are the available dosage forms of a drug?
3- What information is available on drug interactions?
4- What are the possible side effects of a drug?
5- What is the compatibility for the parenteral medications?
6- What are formulas for extemporaneous compounds?
7- What is the cost of the drug and are there any discount programs?
8- Are there off-label usage regulations?
9- Who is the manufacturer and what is its contact information?
General Steps for Using Drug Resources
Step1:
Determine which resource has the needed information. This obviously requires knowing the different resource options and the type of information each includes.
Step2:
Look up the drug by using the reference source’s organization system, index, or table of contents. Before you car use the resource, you must know how it is organized. What are the sections, subsections, appendices, chapters, etc.?
Step3:
Locate the needed information and use knowledge of pharmacy and medical terms to interpret this information correctly.
It is essential that you understand pharmacy terminology, drug trade and generic names, and pharmacy basics in order to be able to understand and interpret information in a drug resource.
It is also important to understand basic anatomy, physiology, and disease states.
Drug Resources Organization
Most drug resources are organized in one of two ways; by drug name or by drug classification or therapeutic usage.
By Drug Name:
Typically information is organized by both trade and generic names with cross-referencing OR solely by generic name. It is important to know the drug generic and trade name in order to efficiently find drug information in a resource.
By Drug Classification or Therapeutic Usage:
Some resources are organized by how the drug is classified or the drug’s therapeutic usage. Examples include cardiovascular drugs, respiratory drugs, gastrointestinal drugs, etc. Remember, however, that some drugs may be used in multiple systems.
Monographs and Package Inserts
One of the most common and easiest ways to access information resource is a drug monograph. This is commonly found in the drug package insert. The FDA requires the drug monograph to be available for any drug in stock. Remember that drug information may change as new information is collected from drug users or the manufacturer. You must ensure you are using current information.
Drug Description
The drug description is a written description of the visual elements of the drug and packaging plus the basic chemical structure.
Clinical Pharmacology
The clinical pharmacology section provides Information on the drug’s mechanism of action, absorption, distribution, metabolism, elimination, and administration as well as notes about specific patient populations, such as pediatrics.
Indications and Usage
The indications and usage information provides specific conditions or symptoms the drug has been approved for prevention and treating by the FDA.
Contraindications
The contraindication information includes the types of patients who should not use the medication, such as those with specific conditions (i.e. diabetes) or those taking other medications.
Precautions
The precaution information explains all possible or potential side effects the patient might experience while taking the medication.
Drug Abuse and Dependence
The drug abuse and dependency information provides a notification in cases where the medication has shown signs of a potential for abuse or dependence.
Adverse Reactions
The adverse reaction information explains the reactions that are unexpected and potentially life-threatening for patients who are taking the medication.
Dosage
The dosage information provides the recommended dosage of the medication, often categorized by patient age and/or weight. This is especially important with pediatric patients and neonates.
How Supplied
This information explains how the medication is supplied, including available strengths, dosage formats, and storage requirements.
Drug Facts and Comparisons Book
The Drug Facts and Comparisons reference book is the most commonly used drug information reference. It provides monographs on more than 22,000 prescription drugs and over 6,000 OTC products. The drugs are arranged by therapeutic or pharmacological group. It presents information in text, charts, and tables as well as includes an appendix of treatment guidelines, a list of manufacturers and distributors, and a Canadian trade-name index.
Publisher Information: Drug Facts and Comparison is published by Wolters Kluwer (www.wolterskluwer.com) and updated monthly. It is available as an electronic subscription and via the Lexicomp mobile app. Your pharmacy employer will probably maintain this subscription. With a single search by drug name or NDC, you can connect to a wide variety of drug information databases containing relevant drug knowledge and medication safety content.
Facts and Comparisons eAnswers
This online tool provides a modern, updated user interface with intuitive navigation, advanced evidence-based and clinical content, and other essential tools to help retail pharmacies manage their workflow. It is designed to provide quality of content, reduction in medication errors, better patient outcomes, and time saving.
This tool allows you to connect with a wide variety of drug information databases containing relevant drug knowledge and medication safety content:
• A to Z drug facts: A summary drug reference resource
• Off-label drug facts: Assists the healthcare professional in quickly identifying published literature regarding a specific drug use that is not currently approved by the FDA.
•Briggs’ Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation: The definitive reference on medication use in pregnant and lactating women.
• Risk evaluation and mitigation strategies
(REMS): Provides detailed information on REMS programs as required by the FDA and specified by the manufacturer.
• Medication guides: Created by the manufacturer and approved by the FDA, these guides contain information for patients on how to safely use a medication.
• Natural products database: Provides timely, objective assessment of the latest medical and scientific studies on natural products, including medically active foods, using peer-reviewed monographs.
• Boxed warnings: A reference page containing links to more than 600 Black Box Warnings.
• Manufacturer index: Provides an extensive alphabetical list of manufacturers.
• Don’t crush/chew: Provides an alphabetical list of products that should bot be crushed or chewed.
• Immunization schedules: A resource for routine and special immunization needs for children and adults.
• Patient assistance program information:
Provides information to assist professionals in aiding patients who are having difficulties obtaining their medications.
• Additional information links: Provides links to medically based, qualified websites and primary literature, including other pharmacy reference resources.
• Drug Facts and Comparison, including comparative charts: The electronic Drugs Facts and Comparisons resource, including the comparative charts.
