Here are some things a pharmacy technician can do to help patients manage their medications properly: - Explain dosage instructions clearly using simple language. - Demonstrate how to use any devices needed for administration (inhalers, injections, etc). - Provide written instructions and contact information to refer to later. - Counsel on drug interactions and side effects to watch out for. - Set up pill organizers or reminders to help with compliance. - Offer to answer any future questions by phone. - Suggest bringing all medications to doctor appointments. - Encourage signing up for medication syncing or delivery services if available. The goal is giving patients the knowledge and tools to take their medications safely and as prescribed

1. Chapter 3
Dispensing of
Pharmacologic Agents
BY :SANJAY RAJPUROHIT

2. Learning Objectives
• Know the components of the prescription, including the
commonly used abbreviations.
• Understand the rights of correct drug administration.
• Recognize common dosage forms.
• Know the routes of administration.
• Recognize factors that influence the effects of drugs,
particularly in the elderly and pediatric populations.
• Know the effects natural chemicals have on drug action
and response.
• Understand the immunization process.

3. The Prescription

4. The Prescription
Abbreviation Translation
ac before meals
bid twice a day
c with
cap capsule
DAW dispense as written
D/C discontinue
g gram

5. The Prescription
Abbreviation Translation
gr grain
gtt drop
hs at bedtime
IM intramuscular
IV intravenously
L liter
mcg microgram

6. The Prescription
Abbreviation Translation
mEq milliequivalent
mL milliliter
NKA no known allergy
NKDA no known drug
allergy
npo nothing by mouth
pc after meals
PO by mouth

7. The Prescription
Abbreviation Translation
prn as needed
q every
qh every hour
q2h every two hours
qid four times a day
qs a sufficient quantity
stat immediately

8. The Prescription
Abbreviation Translation
tab tablet
tid three times daily
ud as directed
wk week

9. Problematic Abbreviations
Dangerous
Abbreviation
Correct Form to Use
µg Microgram or mcg
qd every day
qod every other day
U units
MgSO4 magnesium sulfate
MSO4 morphine sulfate
.2 0.2
2.0 2

10. Problematic Abbreviations
• Institute for Safe Medication Practices
(ISMP)
– Lists dangerous abbreviations and other safety
tips.
– Check out the site at www.ismp.org.
– Review Appendix B in the textbook for
additional safety tips.

11. Discussion
What makes an abbreviation
dangerous?
What is the role of the pharmacy
technician when a prescription arrives
with a dangerous abbreviation?

12. “Rights” for Drug Administration
Right Patient
Right Drug
Right Strength
Right Time Right Route

13. Discussion
How do the “rights” for correct drug
administration help avoid dispensing
errors?
What other things should a pharmacy
technician check when dispensing a
medication?

14. Mediation Label

15. Dosage Forms and Routes of
Administration
• Peroral (PO, by mouth) Dosage Route
– Oral (swallowed)
– Sublingual (under the tongue)
– Buccal (dissolves in the check)

16. Dosage Forms and Routes of
Administration
• Parenteral Dosage Route
– Intravenous (vein)
– Intra-arterial (artery)
– Intracardiac (heart)
– Subcutaneous (beneath the skin)
– Intramuscular (muscle)

17. Dosage Forms and Routes of
Administration
• Topical Dosage Route
– Transdermal (skin surface)
– Conjunctival (conjunctiva) or Intraocular (eye)
– Intranasal (nose)
– Aural (ear)
– Intrarespiratory (lung)
– Rectal
– Vaginal
– Urethral

18. Dosage Forms and Routes of
Administration
• Peroral (PO, by mouth) Dosage Forms
tablets, capsules, solutions, syrups, elixers,
suspensions, magmas, gels, powders,
trouches/lozenges

19. Dosage Forms and Routes of
Administration
• Parenteral Dosage Forms
– Solutions
– Suspensions

20. Dosage Forms and Routes of
Administration
• Topical Dosage Forms
ointments, creams, pastes, powders, aerosols,
lotions, transdermal patches, sprays, inhalants,
suppositories, enemas, emulsions, sponges, gels

21. Factors that Influence Drug Action
• Review: What are the four phases of the
pharmacokinetic process?
Absorption
Distribution
Metabolism
Elimination

22. Factors that Influence Drug Action
• Age
Pediatric patients and elderly patients may need a
reduced dose because of smaller size or inability
of liver to metabolize medication
• Disease
Specific diseases may hinder the pharmacokinetic
process of some drugs
• Mental State, Genes, Gender

23. Considerations for Elderly Patients
Physiologic Function Changes
– Optic
– Auditory
– Gastrointestinal
– Pulmonary
– Cardiovascular
– Urinary
– Hormonal
– Composition of the body

24. Considerations for Elderly Patients
• Altered Drug Responses
• Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs)
• Polypharmacy
• Noncompliance

25. Considerations for Pediatric Patients
• Wide variation between age and degree of
organ-system development
• Reevaluate all doses at regular intervals.
• Be sure the dosage is appropriate for the
child’s age.
• Always double-check all computations.

26. Discussion
What should a pharmacy technician
do when a parent is struggling to
determine the best dose of an OTC
medication for a pediatric patient?

27. Discussion
What should a pharmacy technician do when a
parent is struggling to determine the best dose of
an OTC medication for a pediatric patient?
Answer: Ask the pharmacist to
determine the child’s dose for the
caretaker if the dose information is
not provided.

28. Immunization
What are the two types of immunity?

29. Immunization
What are the two types of immunity?
–Active immunity
–Passive immunity

30. Immunization
What are the two types of immunity?
– Active immunity
Coming in contact with an infectious agent or
an inactivated part of an infectious agent
through a vaccine
– Passive immunity
Receiving antibodies that were formed by
another person or animal that developed them
in response to being infected

31. Immunization Schedule

32. Endogenous Chemicals that Affect
Drug Action and Response
Two types of receptors that histamine acts on:
– H1 receptors mediate the contraction of smooth
muscle of the bronchi and intestine
– H2receptors mediate the action of histamine on
gastric secretion and cardiac acceleration

33. Endogenous Chemicals that Affect
Drug Action and Response
Two types of drugs that block the histamine
receptors:
– Antihistamines block H1 receptors
– H2blockers
• cimetidine (Tagamet)
• ranitidine (Zantac)
• famotidine (Pepcid)
• nizatidine (Axid)

34. Allergic Response

35. Allergic Diseases
• Allergic rhinitis
• Hay fever
• Allergic dermatitis, eczema
• Contact dermatitis
• Urticaria (hives)

36. Drug Therapy for Allergies
• Free environment of allergens (if possible)
• Corticosteroids
• Short-term relief of symptoms with
antihistamines
• Long-term desensitization programs

37. Prostaglandins
• Mediators of several physiologic processes
• Include PGA, PGB, PGE, and PGF
• Actions
– Endocrine system
– Cardiovascular system
– Gastrointestinal system
– Pulmonary system
– Inflammatory

38. Teaching Patients Medication
Management
Goal: Compliance
A patients’ adherence to the dose schedule and
other particular requirements of the specific drug
regimen

39. Discussion
What kinds of information help
improve patient compliance?

40. Discussion
What kinds of information help improve patient
compliance?
Answer:
– Methods of administration
– How to make swallowing easier
– Times and time intervals for administration
– If medication should be taken with food or
not
– Possible side effects
– How long the medication should be taken

41. Discussion
What can the pharmacy technician do
to help patients manage their
medications properly?

42. Teaching Patients Medication
Management

43. Teaching Patients Medication
Management