2. History
• Prescriptions have been
in use since ancient times
– Latin adopted as standard
language
– “Rx” = prescription
– “Sig.” = directions
3. Definition and Format
A prescription is a
written, verbal, or
electronic order from
a practitioner or
designated agent to a
pharmacist for a
particular medication
for a specific patient.
4. Writing Prescriptions
Who can write a Rx?
• Practitioners
– Physicians,
veterinarians, dentists,
podiatrists
• Mid-level practitioners
– nurse practitioners,
physician assistants,
optometrists,
pharmacists
5. Apparent functions of the prescription
• Legal documentation
• Record source
• Means of communication
• Therapy modality
• Means of medical control of therapy
• Means of clinical trial
6. Parts of the Prescription
• INSCRIPTIO
• NOMEN AEGROTI
• PRAEPOSITIO
• PRESCRIPTIO
• SUBSCRIPTIO
• SIGNATURA
• NOMEN MEDICI
7. 1. INSCRIPTIO
• Here written are: the name and the surname
of the doctor, the hospital, clinic or polyclinic
medical center, their address, and the date.
8. • Date
– Date the prescription is issued or written
– Allows the determination of the life of the
prescription to validate refills
• Controlled drugs
– CIII-CV – expire 6 months from date issued
– CII – expire 7 days from date issued
– Ensures continual patient supervision
– Promotes patient follow - up
9. 2. NOMEN AEGROTI
(Patient Name, Age and Address)
– Full first and last name
• Middle initial may be helpful
– Full address
– DOB – not required, but will be helpful in further
identifying the correct patient to prevent
medication errors
– The age of the patient is a good additional piece
of information, especially with pediatric patients
where dosage calculations have to be double-
checked for safety
10. 3. PRAEPOSITIO
(SUPERSCRIPTION)
• A message to the pharmacist. It includes
only the expression;
• Rx (Take) – an abbreviation for Recipe, the
Latin for Get or “Take Thou
11. 4. PRESCRIPTIO
(Inscription)
• It is the main part of the medical prescription,
because this is the doctor’s order. Here are the
names of medicinal substances, the medicinal
forms, and the dosages.
• Brand name (proprietary name) or generic
name may be used
• The strength of the medication should be
written in metric units.
• Example: Tab. Paracetamol 500 mg
12. 5. SUBSCRIPTIO (SUBSCRIPTION)
• In this part are written, if necessary,
instructions to the Pharmacist on how to
make the preparation and the number of
doses, or medicinal forms to be supplied to
the patient.
• The subscription is written using English or
Latin abbreviations;
• Example: Ft. cap. DTD xii (Make Capsules and
let 12 such doses be given)
13. 6. SIGNATURA
(Mark, Label, Signa, Transcription)
• The signature is the message intended for the patient.
It provides instructions as to how the medicine should
be taken by the patient. This information must be
sufficient to allow the patient to understand fully the
amount of the drug product to be taken and the
frequency and manner of administration: if the drug
has to be used externally only, or to be shaken well
before use, or whether it is a poison, and other such
facts are included.
• Example: One tablet when necessary (Pro re nata –
p.r.n)
14. 7. NOMEN MEDICI
(The signature of the doctor)
• The signature of the doctor may be placed on
the designated area, or after the last drug,
and this is for identification data.
15. Controlled Substances
• Definition - a prescription drug whose use
and distribution is tightly controlled
because of its abuse potential or risk
• Regulation is more strict
• Federal law and State law regulate the
storage, use, and disposal of controlled
substances
16. Controlled Substances
• Controlled drugs are divided into Schedules according to abuse
potential
– Schedule I (C-I) – Highest abuse risk. No safe medical use in
U.S. Examples: heroin, marijuana, LSD, and crack cocaine.
– Schedule II (C-II) – High abuse risk but have safe and accepted
medical use. Examples: morphine, oxycodone, methylphenidate,
dextroamphetamine.
– Schedule III (C-III) – Abuse risk less than C-II and safe and
accepted medical use. Examples: Acetaminophen/Codeine
(Tylenol #3), acetaminophen/hydrocodone (Vicodin),
propoxyphene (Darvon).
– Schedule IV (C-IV) – Abuse risk less than C-III and safe and
accepted medical use. Examples: diazepam (Valium),
alprazolam (Xanax), phenobarbital, chloral hydrate.
– Schedule V (C-V) – Abuse risk less than C-IV and safe and
accepted medical use. Mainly consist of preparations containing
limited quantities of certain stimulant and narcotic drugs for
antitussive and antidiarrheal purposes.
