How to Read a Prescription

When you are given your prescription(s) to fill, it is important that you are able to check it, so as to make sure everything is done right and will not cause any hold-ups in getting filled.

We would think that Doctors will make sure to write the prescription correctly, however, we know that doctors are busy, they may be interrupted during the writing of an RX, and that one missed part of the prescription checklist will only send you back to the doctor's for a complete prescription. 

Security prescriptions require that the patient turn them in by hand; these can not be called in.  So let's go over what needs to be checked by the patient.

1.  The prescribing doctors information.
2. Your name.
3. Your date of birth
4. Medication name (Example-Vicodin)
5. Medication dosage (milligrams)
6. Medication route (By mouth--PO)
7. Medication directions (Take one every 4hrs.)
8. Medication quantity (This is easily forgotten to be checked)
9. Refill information; (Security RX's do not allow refills)
9. Date (For fill)
10. Doctors Signature

Now after you have checked the above, make a double check of the exact dosage, directions, and quantity.

If the prescription was written in 'longhand', it would be on a longgggg prescription paper!!  Becoming familiar with Medical-speak; i.e., those strange looking, hard to read scribbles, is a huge advantage for you to know.

So, lets go over some of the common 'shorthand' used in prescriptions:

Vicodin 10/325mg., PO, take one q 4, #120.  This simply says the name of the medication, the dosage, the route, the directions, and the quantity  These are the main 4 items to check on your prescriptions.

I am looking for a prescription example to put up, and will do so asap.

Hope this has let you learn about checking your prescriptions before they are filled.  This ability will allow you to perform a final check before leaving your doctor's office with any prescriptions.    


Gentle Hugs.... and Stay strong ~just for today~