Fundamentals of Pharmacology for Veterinary Technicians

1. Fundamentals of Pharmacology for Veterinary Technicians Chapter 5 Veterinary Drug Use and Prescribing © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning, a part of the Thomson Corporation.

2. Types of Drugs • Chemical name: • Provides scientific and technical information • Is a precise description of the substance • Example: 7-chloro-1,3-dihydro-1-methyl-5-phenyl-2H-1,4-benzodiazepin-2-one © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning, a part of the Thomson Corporation.

3. Types of Drugs • Generic (nonproprietary) name: • Official identifying name of the drug (assigned by the U.S. Adopted Names Council) • Describes the active drug • Written using lowercase letters • Example: diazepam • Brand (trade, proprietary) name: • Establishes legal proprietary recognition for the corporation that developed the drug • Is registered with the U.S. Patent Office and is used only by the company that registered the drug • Is written in capital letters or begins with a capital letter and has a circled, superscript R by its name • Example: Valium © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning, a part of the Thomson Corporation.

4. Sources of Drug Information • United States Pharmacopoeia (USP) • Publication that is the legally recognized drug standard of the United States • Describes the source, appearance, properties, standards of purity, and other requirements of the most important pure drugs • The FDA requires that all drugs meet USP standards of purity, quality, and uniformity • Drug label • Label on drug bottle or vial must contain: • Drug names (generic and trade) • Drug concentration and quantity • Name and address of manufacturer • Manufacturer’s control or lot number • Expiration date of drug • Withdrawal time (if warranted) • Controlled substance status of drug (if warranted) © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning, a part of the Thomson Corporation.

5. Sources of Drug Information • Package insert • Provided with drugs to meet regulatory requirements • Registered trade name, generic name, controlled substance notation if warranted • Description or composition statement • Clinical pharmacology, actions, or mode of action • Indications and usage • Contraindications • Precautions • Warnings • Adverse reactions or side effects • Overdosage information • Dosage administration • Storage • How supplied © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning, a part of the Thomson Corporation.

6. Package Insert © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning, a part of the Thomson Corporation.

7. Sources of Drug Information • Drug References • Bound book of information on package inserts • Physician’s Desk Reference (PDR): human-approved drugs • Veterinary Pharmaceuticals and Biologicals (VPB) • Compendium of Veterinary Products (CVP) © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning, a part of the Thomson Corporation.

8. Expiration Dates • Expiration date is the date before which a drug meets all specifications and after which the drug can no longer be used • Expiration dates are assigned based on the stability of or experience with the drug • Expiration dates for drugs that are mixed in the clinic vary depending on the reconstitution and refrigeration status of the drugs © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning, a part of the Thomson Corporation.

9. Drugs Used in Veterinary Practice • Veterinary drugs are those approved only for use in animals • Human drugs are approved by the FDA and guidelines for their use in food-producing animals is provided in the Compliance Policy Guide • A veterinarian/client/patient relationship must be established before any medication is prescribed for an animal • Guidelines for veterinarian/client/patient relationships are provided in Table 5-2 © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning, a part of the Thomson Corporation.

10. Prescriptions • A prescription is an order to a pharmacist, written by a licensed veterinarian, to prepare the prescribed medicine, to affix the directions, and to sell the preparation to the client © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning, a part of the Thomson Corporation.

11. Dispensing Drugs • Prescription drugs may be dispensed by pharmacists or trained veterinary staff • Veterinary prescription drugs should be properly labeled when dispensed • Remember that veterinary staff members cannot refill or dispense medications without veterinarian approval • Medications must be dispensed in childproof containers • Labels with cautionary statements may also be used on the prescription © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning, a part of the Thomson Corporation.

12. Label on the Prescription • The label on the prescription should be complete and contain: • The name and address of the dispenser • The client’s name (+/- address) • The animal’s name and species • The drug name, strength, and quantity • The date of the order • Directions for use • Any refill information (if warranted) © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning, a part of the Thomson Corporation.

13. Parts of a Prescription Label © 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning, a part of the Thomson Corporation.