Allopathic Medicines and Types · Liniments, Gels Suppositories Vaginal pessaries, Vaginal creams. Eye-drops, Eye ointments, Ear drops Drugs are made into various dosage forms so

Prescription MEDICINESü These are medicines which by law can only be purchased by a customer only against the prescription of a Registered

Medical Practitioner (Allopathic Doctor/Dentist/Veterinarian).

ü A pharmacy / medical store is legally not permitted to sell such medicines unless a proper prescription is produced.

ü They can be dangerous if not taken as per the doctor’s advice or taken without being prescribed by a doctor. They need to be used carefully.

ü These medicines can be identified by a Red line on the left, a sign in red on the left top of the label, and a boxed warning which says

is written in red colour on the left top corner of the label of some medicines. And is written on top left corner in red on label of Drugs falling under Schedule X Eg Ketamine, Methylphenidate, Oseltamivir, etc.

ü Schedule G drugs bear a label “Caution- it is dangerous to take this preparation except under medical supervision” Eg Insulin, Metformin, and Promethazine, etc.

ü For Narcotic drugs and Schedule X drugs, the prescription has to be in duplicate and the pharmacy has to retain one copy.

Rx

NRx XRxü

What are

MEDICINES?ü Medicines are any substances that are meant

to change the way your body deals with an illness or injury or to maintain your health and wellbeing.

ü Used for or in prevention, treatment, cure or mitigation of diseases in humans or animals.

ü Medicines help us to get better when we are unwell.

Non-prescription

MEDICINESü Non-prescription or OTC (Over the counter) medicines are

allopathic medicines which by law can be purchased by a customer without the prescription of a doctor or can be recommended by the Pharmacist.

ü OTC medicines are safe and can be used for self-medication; however, they too can cause side effects and thus need to be used carefully.

ü Are often advertised to public Eg: Paracetamol, asprin, vitamins, minerals, antiseptic creams, calamine lotion etc.

ü Some of these medicines are available in other stores too.

Allopathic Medicines and Types

Issued in public interest by:

INDIAN PHARMACEUTICAL ASSOCIATION COMMUNITY PHARMACY DIVISION

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Supported by:

PHARMACY COUNCIL OF INDIA

www.pci.nic.in

Statutory body under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Govt. of India

Campaign for Awareness on Responsible Use of Medicines

TYPES OF DOSAGE FORMS

Oral Dosage Forms: Tablets, Capsules, Lozenges, Oral liquids

For external use agents: Lotion, Creams, Ointments, Liniments, Gel, Dusting powders, Transdermal patch, Plaster, Nasal drops, Nasal spray, Eye-drops, Eye ointment, Ear drops, Gargle, Mouth wash, Suppositories, Pessaries, Vaginal creams, Inhalers.

Parenteral preparations:Injections, I.V. Fluids, Intra muscular, Spinal, Subcutaneous, Intradermal.

Dusting powdersTransdermal patches, Plasters.

Lotions, Creams, Ointments, Liniments, Gels

SuppositoriesVaginal pessaries, Vaginal creams.

Eye-drops, Eye ointments, Ear drops

Drugs are made into various dosage forms so that they can be easily administered or can be delivered to the right part of the body.



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Tablets: Film coated, Sugar coated, Enteric coated, Bi-layered, Sublingual, Dispersible etc.

Capsules: Soft gel capsules, Hard gel capsules

Oral liquids: Suspensions, Emulsions, Linctuses, Elixirs, Syrups, Solutions.

Lozenges

Lin

TYPES OF DOSAGE FORMS

Nasal sprayNasal drops Inhalers

Metred dose inhalersRotahalers

Mouth washGargles

Intravenous, Intra-muscular,Spinal, Intra-dermal

Injection

Dr. Pradeep Mishra, M.B.B.S., M.D.Reg. No.: GMC 123 Address : F1-G7, South End Apts., Charmawood (Fbd.) 121001, Tel No.: 0129-4082421

Date : 15-02-2014Patient’s Name : Achin Oberoi Sex: M Age: 20 Wt: 75 Kg. Patient's Address : 1A, Surajkund Road, Prahladpur, New Delhi- 110044Rx

Valium (DIAZEPAM) 5 mg 1 tab at night x 20 days --- 20 tab

Doctor's usual sign Date: 15-02-2014

DO NOT REFILL (DISPENSE ONLY ONCE)

• A prescription is an important legal document. It is an order for medication issued by a qualified doctor to a patient. The pharmacy honours this by dispensing medicines to the patient.

Important Legal Document

• The prescription contains the instructions and direction to use your medication and

the effectiveness of treatment depends on adherence to therapy. Hence it is

important to take your medicines as per the information on the prescription

Recheck your prescription every time you buy

Prescription and Its Importance

Sample

• When you visit a pharmacy, asking for your medicines verbally, by colour, price, showing old packages of the medicines, writing the name of medicines on hands, bits of paper, showing the name on mobile messages, using old prescriptions, asking for medicines over the phone are all wrong practices. These are illegal as well as dangerous.

• Medicines come in a variety of dosage forms, potencies, combinations of drugs, bearing same trade names but with minor changes in extension. A prescription helps the pharmacist to check for correctness of medicines, potency, doses, etc.

• A prescription helps the pharmacist to serve you better and faster.



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For your own safety, always carry your prescription when you visit the pharmacy


Your Medicines

Be Safe Be Sure

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Buying Buying Buying Buying Buying

Pharmacist is your medication counselor

Pharmacist is your medication counselor

Ü Ask the Pharmacist for instructions for taking your medicines and any precautions to take.

Ü Discuss with your pharmacist while choosing or buying non-prescription medicines.

Always carry a Prescription

Always carry a Prescription

Ü Always present a prescription to the pharmacist while buying prescription medicines.

Ü Do not use the same old prescription repeatedly/again to buy medicines unless the doctor advices.

Ü Do not hurry up the pharmacy personnel. While serving you quickly they could make mistakes.

Check on the Pharmacy/Medical Store

Check on the Pharmacy/Medical Store

Ü Always buy medicines from a licensed Pharmacy/Medical Store. Look for the pharmacy license displayed. Do not buy from unauthorized sellers

Ü Look for the pharmacist and ask the pharmacist to know about your medicines.

Before you leave the pharmacy check your medicines

Before you leave the pharmacy check your medicines

Ü Check the names, strength/potency, dosage form and quantity, expiry date of your medicines and that they are consistent with your prescription.

Ü Always ask for a bill. Check whether the price charged is not more than MRP.

Ü Ensure that medicines are in good condition: no leakage, damage or breakage.



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While


TAKING YOUR ORAL

LIQUIDS

Measure the prescribed dose using the measuring cup or measuring spoon provided with the bottle

Do not use the bottle cap or a kitchen spoon or directly drink from the bottle

Do not dilute unless so instructed

Use a measuring cup or measuring spoon

Oral Syrup, Solution, Elixir, Linctus

Shake well before use so as to disperse the emulsion/ suspension uniformly

Measure the dose using the spoon or cup supplied with the bottle

Shake well before useOral Emulsion and Suspension

Some medicines are available as powders or granules and are to be reconstituted into a suspension by the user by adding water

Shake the bottle to loosen the powder. Open the cap or seal of the bottle. Slowly add previously boiled and cooled water exactly upto the mark given on the bottle. Shake the bottle vigorously till the powder is uniformly suspended. Then adjust the volume upto the mark on the bottle

After reconstitution store it under the conditions mentioned on the label (generally in the refrigerator)and use it within the time as given on label (generally within 3-7 days.)

Reconstitution of Dry Powders Before Use

1

2

3



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While Taking Your

Tablets

Read the label to know the type of tablet and also consult your doctor/pharmacist.

Dispersible Tablet:

Chewable Tablets: Do not swallow whole

Do not swallow

Place the tablet in a tablespoon or small cup containing 5 – 10ml of water and allow to disperse into a suspension. Swallow the whole quantity.

Place the tablet in the mouth and chew it thoroughly till it is powdered. Then swallow and drink a glass of water

Mouth dissolving tablets: swallow whole

Sublingual tablets: Do not bite or swallow or chew

Do not

Place the tablet in the mouth and allow it to dissolve in the oral cavity. Then slowly swallow the dissolved drug with saliva.

Keep the tablet below the tongue and allow it to dissolve there. The drug is released here and goes directly through the blood vessels below the tongue to blood circulation.

Tablets (uncoated, coated): Swallow the whole tablet

•

•

•

Do not cut or break or crush the tablet unless the doctor or pharmacist advises

Swallow the whole tablet with a glass of water

Do not take the tablet while lying down



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Different Types Of Tablets

•

•

•

•

Make a medication chart with a list of all your medications and timings of dosing. Put this up on your refrigerator or dressing table or bedside for easy reference to remember your dose and take the medicines correctly at the right time.

Put a calendar on the wall and make a note on it after you take your dose. It helps you to keep a track of your doses.

Put reminder alarms on your watch or computer or mobile that remind of you your doses through the day. Or you could put up the reminder on your refrigerator, table or wall.

You could use a 'Pill Box'. This is a special box containing a compartment for each day of the week, with sub-compartments for different times of the day. It helps to remember which medicines have to be taken at different times of the day and which medicines have been consumed and which not.

Remembering your doseComplete the course of your medication as prescribed by the doctor

•

•

•

It is essential to take medicines at the right dose and frequency for the entire treatment period as advised by your doctor.

Do not stop taking your medicines in between the therapy even if you start feeling better or if you are relieved of your symptoms.

Treatment of TB, HIV, diabetes and high blood pressure require long time treatment. Do not stop the treatment without consulting the doctor.

Do not double your dose•

• Contact the doctor or the pharmacist if you have missed several doses of medication.

In case you forget to take a dose, then take it as soon as you remember, but not if it is almost time for the next dose. Do not double the dose as this could be dangerous.



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REMEMBERING

YOUR DOSE


CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR before giving medicines to your children

• Medicines must only be given to children based on the doctor's order or pharmacist's advice. Do n o t g e t c a r r i e d a w a y b y advertisements of medicines.

• Children require a dose which depends on their body weight. Do not give your chi ldren any medicines intended for someone else even if symptoms or complaints are similar.

• Explain to children that medicines are taken only when one is not well and to give relief from suffering. While they make them feel better, they can also harm them.

• Even though some medicines may taste good, they are not candies or treats.

Keep all medicines away from their sight and out of their reach. Do not consume medicines in front of them.

Do not send your children to the pharmacy to buy your medicines; it is not a good

practice.

Medicines and medical devices such as inhalers, syringes, etc. are not toys. Do not give empty medicine containers, inhaler, etc. to your

FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS

• Make sure all prescriptions, reports of the child are put together in chronological order in a file and shown each time you visit the doctor. A l s o i n f o r m a n y a l l e r g i e s , interactions to any medicines that you notice.

• Double check the prescription before administering the medicine to children. Follow the doctor's or pharmacist's instructions properly.

• Keep medications in their original packaging and also write the child's name on them to avoid mix-up with other children's medicines

• Do not administer or prepare the medicine in the dark - you may choose the wrong medicine or give the wrong dose by mistake.

KEEP ALL MEDICINESAWAY FROM CHILDREN

Many times, children need your love, presence and

attention. That can be the best medicine

Image Credit: Clumsyclariss.blogspot.com

Children Medicines&



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Children MedicinesCampaign for Awareness on Responsible Use of Medicines

Inform Doctor/Dentist/Pharmacist/Nurse if you are pregnant!

•

•

Medicines are important to your health but some medicines may cause harm to your foetus.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to be pregnant. Your doctor will prescribe accordingly.

Do not take ANY medicine (whether Allopathic, Ayurvedic, Homeopathic or any other) without consulting your doctor !

DO NOT DRINK!

DO NOT SMOKE!

Some medicines, Smoking and Alcohol intake are dangerous to the baby growing inside you !

BE GOOD TO YOUR BABY!

MEDICINES DURING PREGNANCY



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Drug-Drug interactions• Two or more medicines/drugs, when

taken together may interact with each other in our body, causing either a reduced, harmful or beneficial effect, or no difference in effect

• Whenever you visit any doctor/dentist/ pharmacist, carry all your prescriptions/ medicines you are currently taking including vitamins and herbal medicines

• Take all your medicines exactly according to your doctor's or pharmacist's instructions

• Ciprofloxacin and Ibuprofen, if taken together may increase the risk of convulsions

Drug-Food interactions•

•

Some foods, including drinks/beverages may interact with the medicines that we consume, causing a reduced or harmful effect

If advised to take a medicine on an empty stomach (or before meals) take at least one hour before or two hour after a meal/food

• Absorption of Ciprofloxacin and thus its effect is reduced if taken within two hours of a meal/food (including milk or milk products)

Paracetamol if taken with alcohol can increase the risk of liver toxicity

•

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist to know more about your medicines. More you know, better do they work for you!

INTERACTIONS

OR OR

Examples of Drug-Food Interactions

Example of Drug-Drug Interactions



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AND ADMEDICINES

VERTISEMENTS

BY ADVERTISEMENTS AND PLAY WITH YOUR HEALTH AND BODY

•

•

•

•

No medicine is absolutely safe. It may be dangerous to self-medicate based on advertisements.

Advertisements of some Allopathic (non prescription medicines), Ayurvedic, Homeopathic, Unani medicines are permitted by law.

Certain diseases are incurable. Do not fall prey to such advertisements which claim to cure hair loss/baldness, increasing sexual prowess/pleasures, increasing of height, vitality, memory, fairness of skin, slimming or weight loss, weight gain

Allopathic/Ayurvedic/Homeopathic/Unani medicines too are also potentially risky. Do not believe that they are completely safe. Take them only under medical expert's advice.

and diseases like diabetes, AIDS, etc.

DO NOT GET LURED

DO NOT LOSE YOUR HARD EARNED MONEY AND PUT YOUR HEALTH AT RISK BY MISLEADING ADVERTISEMENTS

••

••

The company is trustworthy. Check if contact address, phone number, website is provided on the labelClaims look reliable, reasonable and scientifically possible

Keep the bills of all purchasesIn case of any doubts, problems with the product, complain to the nearest Drugs Control Office

Before taking a decision to use such products ensure that:



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Whom to complain to if you have any complaint regarding your Pharmacy and medicines

COMPLAINT BOX

My

Compla

int

www.core.nic.in

Whom to complain?You can complain to: •

• The Consumer forum in your respective district

• For filing an online complaint log on to: www.core.nic.in

Drugs control Administration of your respective State



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Complaint Form

When to file a complaint?

Most medicines are required to be sold in a pharmacy/medical store only under the direct supervision of a Registered Pharmacist. Each pharmacy/medical store needs to be licensed by the local drug control authority.

A bill or a cash memo is the only proof available that a particular medicine of a particular manufacturer and batch number were purchased from a particular pharmacy. This is especially important in case of any defects/complaints are detected in the medicine.

The pharmacy must stock and sell genuine and quality medicines.

The pharmacy has to be maintained neatly and as per regulations.

The pharmacy cannot charge you more than the cost written on the label of the medicine.

All prescription medicines have to be sold only against the prescription of a Registered Medical Practitioner.

If you come across a pharmacy/medical store without a proper license or without a Registered Pharmacist.

If the pharmacy personnel refuse to give you a proper, complete cash memo.

If you suspect any medicine to be not of standard quality (spurious, misbranded or fake) by visually inspecting it or if you suspect it to be ineffective.

If on your visit you find that it is not properly maintained.

If the pharmacy overcharges you.

By law

If you find the pharmacy selling such medicines without a prescription.


Documents

Allopathic Medicines and Types · Liniments, Gels Suppositories Vaginal pessaries, Vaginal creams. Eye-drops, Eye ointments, Ear drops Drugs are made into various dosage forms so