Download Used with permission from Abbott Laboratories

Chapter 8
Understanding Drug Labels
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Drug Names
• Brand, trade, and proprietary
– Manufacturer’s name for drug
• Generic
– Established, nonproprietary name
Copyright © 2011 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Brand and Generic Names
• Brand name usually most prominent
• Generic name must be on all drug labels
• Nurses must cross-check medications to
prevent errors
Copyright © 2011 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Brand and Generic Names
Used with permission from Aventis Pharmaceuticals
Copyright © 2011 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Locate Brand Name
Reprinted with permission from Roche Laboratories Inc. All rights reserved.
Copyright © 2011 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Locate Generic Name
Used with permission from Abbott Laboratories
Copyright © 2011 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Locate Brand and Generic Name
Used with permission from Pfizer Inc.
Copyright © 2011 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Dosage Strength
• Dosage weight or amount of drug provided in
specific unit of measurement
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Locate Dosage Strength
Copyright Baxter International Inc.
Copyright © 2011 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Form
• Structure and composition of drug
–
–
–
–
–
Solid forms for oral use
Injectable
Suppositories
Creams
Patches
Copyright © 2011 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Locate Form
Used with permission from Pfizer Inc.
Copyright © 2011 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Supply Dosage
• Both dosage and form
– Dosage per tablet
– Dosage per milliliter
Copyright © 2011 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Locate Supply Dosage
Copyright Baxter International Inc.
Copyright © 2011 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Total Volume
• Full quantity contained in bottle or vial
– Total number of tablets or other solids
– Total fluid volume for liquids
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Locate Volume
Copyright Baxter International Inc.
Copyright © 2011 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Administration Route
• Site of body or method of drug delivery
– Oral
• Unless specified, tablets, capsules, and caplets intended for oral use
– Enteral
– Sublingual
– Injection
Copyright © 2011 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Administration Route
• Site of body or method of drug delivery
–
–
–
–
Otic
Optic
Topical
Rectal
Copyright © 2011 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Locate Administration Route
Copyright Baxter International Inc.
Copyright © 2011 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Label Alerts
• Warnings or special alerts
– E.g., refrigerate at all times, keep in a dry place
– Manufacturer
– Pharmacy
Copyright © 2011 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Expiration Date
• Check prior to administration
• If expired, discard or return to pharmacy
Copyright © 2011 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Locate Expiration Date
Used with permission from Abbott Laboratories
Copyright © 2011 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Lot or Control Numbers
• Important if drug recalled
• Quickly identifies particular group of
medication packages
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Controlled Substance Schedule
• Classifies drugs according to potential for use
and abuse
– Schedule I
• Highest potential for abuse
– Schedule V
• Lowest potential for abuse
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Locate Controlled Substance
Reprinted with permission from Roche Laboratories Inc. All rights reserved.
Copyright © 2011 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Unit or Single-Dose Labels
• Dose strength understood as “per one”
Copyright © 2011 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Combination Drugs
• Different substances combined
• Usually prescribed by number of tablets,
capsules, or milliliters
– Not dosage strength
Copyright © 2011 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Other Parts of Label
• Manufacturer
• National drug code
• Bar code
Copyright © 2011 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Locate Bar Code
Used with permission from Abbott Laboratories
Copyright © 2011 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Checking Labels
• Six Rights of medication administration:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Right patient
Right drug
Right amount
Right route
Right time
Right documentation
Copyright © 2011 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Checking Labels
• Check drug label:
– Against medication order on MAR
– Before preparing medication
– After preparing medication but before administering it
Copyright © 2011 Delmar, Cengage Learning. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.