The document discusses the prohibition of error-prone abbreviations, symbols, and dose designations in pharmaceutical care to prevent potentially dangerous medication errors. It provides examples of correctly formatted dosages and instructions for various medications. The focus is on enhancing patient safety through clear and standardized communication in prescriptions.

1. Pharmacist: Yasir A. Alowayyidh
Pharmaceutical Care Administration, Medina Region
yalowayyidh@moh.gov.sa
Error-Prone Abbreviations,
Symbols, and Dose Designations

2. PROHIBITED ABBREVIATIONS

11. Avoid potentially Dangerous
abbreviations and dose expressions
IncorrectCorrect
5.0 mg5 mg
3 mg00.3 mg
50005,000
150,000 units150 thousand units
1,000,000 units1 million units

15. A. hydrochlorothiazide 250 mg oral once time daily.
B. hydrocortisone 25 mg oral once time daily.
C. hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg oral once time daily.
D. hydrocortisone 250 mg oral once time daily.

16. B. 6 units regular insulin now.
A. 60 units regular insulin now.

17. A. furosemide (Lasix®) 40mg by oral four times daily.
B. furosemide (Lasix®) 40mg by oral once time daily.

18. A. isosorbide dinitrate (Isordil®) 20mg by oral four times daily.
B. Felodipine (Plendil®) 20mg by oral four times daily.

19. A. warfarin (COUMADIN®) 4mg by oral once time daily.
B. Rosiglitazone (AVANDIA®) 4mg by oral once time daily.

20. A. Haloperidol (Haldol®) 0.5mg
B. Haloperidol (Haldol®) 5mg