- ACE inhibitor (-pril)
- Blood-pressure/heart-failure class ending in '-pril' (lisinopril, enalapril). Side effects: dry cough and hyperkalemia; avoid in pregnancy.
- Beta-blocker (-olol)
- Class ending in '-olol' (metoprolol, atenolol) that slows the heart rate; used for hypertension, angina, and heart failure. Exceptions: carvedilol, labetalol.
- Statin (-statin)
- Cholesterol-lowering class ending in '-statin' (atorvastatin, rosuvastatin). Monitor for muscle pain (myopathy).
- ARB (-sartan)
- Angiotensin II receptor blocker ending in '-sartan' (losartan, valsartan); an alternative when ACE inhibitors cause cough.
- Calcium channel blocker (-dipine)
- Class ending in '-dipine' (amlodipine, nifedipine) for hypertension. Diltiazem and verapamil are non-dihydropyridine CCBs.
- Proton pump inhibitor (-prazole)
- Acid-reducing class ending in '-prazole' (omeprazole, pantoprazole); take 30–60 minutes before the first meal.
- Penicillin antibiotics (-cillin)
- Antibiotic class ending in '-cillin' (amoxicillin, ampicillin). Watch for penicillin allergy.
- Fluoroquinolones (-floxacin)
- Antibiotic class ending in '-floxacin' (ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin); carry a tendon-rupture warning.
- Benzodiazepines (-pam / -lam)
- Sedative/anxiolytic class ending in '-pam' or '-lam' (lorazepam, alprazolam); Schedule IV controlled substances.
- Diabetes drug stems (-gliptin / -glutide / -gliflozin)
- DPP-4 inhibitors (sitagliptin), GLP-1 agonists (semaglutide), and SGLT2 inhibitors (empagliflozin).
- NSAID
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (ibuprofen, naproxen); relieves pain and inflammation by inhibiting cyclooxygenase. GI and bleeding risk.
- Corticosteroid
- Anti-inflammatory/immunosuppressant class (prednisone); not an antibiotic, diuretic, or anticoagulant.
- Lipitor
- Brand name for atorvastatin, a statin used for high cholesterol.
- Synthroid
- Brand name for levothyroxine, a thyroid hormone replacement for hypothyroidism.
- Glucophage
- Brand name for metformin, the first-line oral drug for type 2 diabetes.
- Coumadin
- Brand name for warfarin, an anticoagulant monitored by INR.
- Prilosec
- Brand name for omeprazole, a proton pump inhibitor for GERD and ulcers.
- Ventolin / ProAir
- Brand names for albuterol, a short-acting beta-2 agonist rescue inhaler for asthma.
- Lasix
- Brand name for furosemide, a loop diuretic for edema and hypertension.
- Norvasc
- Brand name for amlodipine, a calcium channel blocker for hypertension.
- Warfarin antidote
- Vitamin K (phytonadione) reverses warfarin, which is monitored by INR.
- Heparin antidote
- Protamine sulfate reverses heparin, which is monitored by aPTT.
- Opioid overdose antidote
- Naloxone (Narcan) reverses opioid overdose (respiratory depression).
- Acetaminophen overdose antidote
- N-acetylcysteine (NAC) treats acetaminophen overdose; max acetaminophen is about 4 g/day.
- Benzodiazepine antidote
- Flumazenil reverses benzodiazepine sedation/respiratory depression.
- Narrow therapeutic index drugs
- Small gap between effective and toxic dose; levels are monitored. Examples: warfarin, digoxin, lithium, phenytoin, levothyroxine, theophylline.
- Insulin glargine
- A long-acting basal insulin providing steady baseline glucose control; rapid-acting insulins cover meals.
- Therapeutic duplication
- Two drugs from the same class (or same effect) prescribed together — raises overdose and side-effect risk; the DUR flags it.
- Extended-release / enteric-coated tablets
- Never crush or split — crushing releases the full dose at once or destroys the protective coating.
- Anticoagulant vs antiplatelet
- Anticoagulants (warfarin, heparin) act on clotting factors; antiplatelets (aspirin, clopidogrel) stop platelets from clumping.
- ACE inhibitor side effects
- Dry cough and hyperkalemia (high potassium); switch to an ARB if cough is intolerable.
- Sulfa allergy
- Allergy to sulfonamides (e.g., sulfamethoxazole); commonly tested alongside penicillin allergy.
- Sig
- The prescription directions written in standardized abbreviations (e.g., 'i tab PO BID' = one tablet by mouth twice a day).
- PO
- By mouth (per os); the most common route abbreviation.
- BID / TID / QID
- Twice / three times / four times a day.
- AC / PC / HS
- Before meals (ante cibum) / after meals (post cibum) / at bedtime (hora somni).
- PRN
- As needed.
- gtt
- Drop(s) — used for eye, ear, or nose preparations.
- OD / OS / OU
- Right eye / left eye / both eyes.
- SL
- Sublingual — dissolved under the tongue (e.g., nitroglycerin); bypasses first-pass metabolism.
- Stat / NPO
- Immediately / nothing by mouth.
- Days' supply
- Total quantity dispensed ÷ amount used per day; insurers use it to decide whether a refill is 'too soon.'
- 1 kg = 2.2 lb
- Weight conversion. Convert pounds to kilograms before weight-based (mg/kg) dosing.
- 1 tsp = 5 mL
- Volume conversion for a teaspoon.
- 1 tbsp = 15 mL
- Volume conversion for a tablespoon.
- 1 fl oz = 30 mL
- Volume conversion for a fluid ounce.
- 1 grain ≈ 65 mg
- Apothecary conversion (often rounded to 60 mg).
- Percent strength (% w/v)
- Grams of drug per 100 mL of solution.
- Ratio strength 1:1000
- 1 g in 1000 mL = 1 mg/mL (e.g., epinephrine 1:1000).
- IV flow rate
- mL/hr = total volume ÷ infusion time in hours.
- NDC (National Drug Code)
- A 10- or 11-digit FDA number: labeler + product + package size. Bill and dispense the matching NDC.
- Adjudication
- The real-time electronic process in which an insurer approves a claim and returns the patient's copay.
- BIN / PCN
- Routing numbers on the insurance card that direct the claim to the correct processor.
- Prior authorization
- Insurer approval required before a drug is covered; the prescriber submits clinical justification.
- 'Refill too soon' rejection
- A billing message that the patient should still have medication on hand based on the last fill's days' supply.
- DAW 0 / DAW 1
- DAW 0 = substitution allowed; DAW 1 = prescriber requires the brand.
- USP <795>
- The standard for NON-sterile compounding (oral and topical preparations).
- USP <797>
- The standard for STERILE compounding (injectables, IVs) to prevent contamination.
- USP <800>
- The standard for safe handling of HAZARDOUS drugs to protect workers and the environment.
- Reconstitution
- Adding a measured volume of diluent (often sterile water) to a powder to make a solution/suspension before dispensing.
- Beyond-use date (BUD)
- The date after which a compounded or reconstituted product should not be used — usually shorter than the manufacturer's expiration date.
- Expiration date
- Set by the manufacturer for a drug in its original, unopened container (differs from a BUD).
- Generic substitution
- Dispensing an AB-rated generic for the brand; allowed unless the prescriber writes 'dispense as written.'
- Therapeutic substitution
- Dispensing a DIFFERENT drug in the same class than prescribed; requires prescriber or protocol approval.
- Required prescription elements
- A valid Rx needs the patient's full name, drug, strength, directions, quantity, and the prescriber's signature.
- Missing prescriber signature
- Hold the prescription and obtain the required signature or verification before dispensing.
- Reverse distribution
- A DEA-registered company processes returned or expired controlled substances.
- Horizontal vs vertical flow hood
- A horizontal-flow hood (LAFW) protects the product; a vertical-flow biological safety cabinet protects the worker handling hazardous drugs.
- Technician's scope
- A technician prepares and processes the prescription and surfaces alerts; the pharmacist makes the final verification and counsels patients.
- Pharmacist intervention point
- A DUR/interaction alert, counseling, or therapeutic substitution — the technician refers it to the pharmacist, never overrides it.
- FEFO
- First Expired, First Out — rotate stock so the soonest-to-expire product is used first.
- Fast mover
- A high-volume product dispensed frequently that must be reordered often to avoid running out.
- Drug recall first action
- Identify and quarantine the affected LOT NUMBERS so the product is not dispensed.
- Class I recall
- A recall for a product with a reasonable probability of serious harm or death.
- Class II recall
- A recall for a product that may cause temporary or medically reversible harm.
- Class III recall
- A recall for a product unlikely to cause adverse health consequences.
- Market withdrawal
- Removal of a product for a minor violation not subject to FDA legal action (distinct from a recall).
- Orange Book
- The FDA's 'Approved Drug Products with Therapeutic Equivalence Evaluations' — lists AB-rated generics for substitution.
- 'Protect from light' storage
- Keep the product in its original amber or light-resistant container, away from direct light (e.g., nitroglycerin).
- Suffix -itis
- Inflammation (arthritis, dermatitis).
- Suffix -ectomy
- Surgical removal (appendectomy).
- Prefix hyper- / hypo-
- Above normal / below normal (hypertension / hypoglycemia).
- Prefix brady- / tachy-
- Slow / fast (bradycardia / tachycardia).
- Root cardi/o
- Heart (cardiology, cardiomyopathy).
- Blood glucose meter
- The home monitoring device (with test strips) a diabetic patient uses to check blood sugar.
- Controlled Substances Act (1970)
- Created the DEA Schedule I–V classification of drugs by abuse potential.
- Schedule I
- Highest abuse potential, no accepted U.S. medical use; not dispensed (heroin, LSD).
- Schedule II
- High abuse potential with accepted medical use; NO refills (oxycodone, fentanyl, Adderall).
- Schedules III–V refills
- May be refilled up to 5 times within 6 months.
- Schedule II emergency oral order
- The prescriber must deliver a written, signed prescription to the pharmacy within 7 days.
- DEA Form 222
- Orders or transfers Schedule II controlled substances (or the electronic CSOS equivalent).
- DEA Form 224
- Application to register a pharmacy to dispense controlled substances.
- DEA Form 106
- Reports the theft or significant loss of controlled substances.
- DEA Form 41
- Records the destruction of controlled substances.
- Controlled-substance record retention
- Federal law requires records to be kept at least 2 years; C-II records separate or readily retrievable.
- DEA number check digit
- Add digits 1+3+5; add (2+4+6)×2; the last digit of the sum must equal the 7th (check) digit.
- Corresponding responsibility
- The pharmacist (with the prescriber) is ultimately responsible for the legality of a controlled-substance prescription.
- CMEA pseudoephedrine limits
- 3.6 g/day and 9 g/30 days per purchaser; behind the counter with a logbook and photo ID.
- REMS
- An FDA Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy for high-risk drugs (isotretinoin/iPLEDGE, clozapine).
- PPPA (1970)
- Poison Prevention Packaging Act — child-resistant packaging for most oral Rx drugs (a patient may waive it).
- Durham-Humphrey Amendment (1951)
- Created the legend (Rx-only) vs OTC distinction and the 'Rx only' label.
- Kefauver-Harris Amendment (1962)
- Required drugs to be proven EFFECTIVE, not just safe (after the thalidomide tragedy).
- FDA role
- Approves new drugs as safe and effective before marketing and regulates labeling and recalls.
- Drug Facts label
- The standardized OTC panel listing active ingredients, uses, warnings, and directions.
- Medication Guide
- An FDA-required, patient-directed handout dispensed with certain high-risk drugs.
- Adulterated drug
- A drug whose quality is compromised — contaminated, impure, or prepared under unsanitary conditions.
- Misbranded drug
- A drug whose labeling is false, misleading, or missing required information.
- HIPAA
- Protects patients' protected health information (PHI).
- High-alert medication
- A drug with a heightened risk of significant harm if used in error — insulin, heparin, opioids, concentrated KCl, chemotherapy.
- LASA drugs
- Look-Alike/Sound-Alike drugs confused by name or packaging (hydralazine vs hydroxyzine); a leading error source.
- Tall man lettering
- Mixed-case spelling that highlights differing letters of confused names (predniSONE vs prednisoLONE).
- Five rights
- Right patient, right drug, right dose, right route, right time — checked before dispensing/administration.
- Two patient identifiers
- Confirm identity by full name AND date of birth — never by room or bed number alone.
- ISMP do-not-use abbreviations
- Avoid 'U' for unit, 'QD/QOD,' and 'MS'; write 'unit' fully, use a leading zero (0.5 mg), never a trailing zero (5.0 mg).
- Independent double-check
- A second qualified person verifies high-alert preparations (insulin, heparin, chemo, pediatric doses).
- Barcode scanning (BCMA)
- Scanning the product (and patient) to confirm the right drug and dose before dispensing.
- Near miss
- An error caught and corrected before it reaches the patient.
- Sentinel event
- An unexpected occurrence involving death or serious injury, requiring immediate investigation.
- Root cause analysis (RCA)
- A RETROSPECTIVE process that finds the underlying cause of an error to prevent recurrence.
- FMEA
- Failure Mode and Effects Analysis — a PROACTIVE method that anticipates how a process could fail before harm occurs.
- FDA MedWatch
- Collects reports of serious adverse events, product quality problems, and medication errors with FDA-regulated products.
- ADE vs ADR
- An adverse drug event (ADE) is any medication-related harm, including from errors; an adverse drug reaction (ADR) is harm from appropriate use.
- Insulin safety
- Insulin is a high-alert drug — use an independent double-check and verify the product (U-100 vs U-500) before dispensing.
