Prescription Examples

(In the interest of saving space, the remaining examples will contain only the inscription, subscription,
and signa portions of the prescription)

Rx Rx
Rx

Zinc Oxide 5. Zinc Oxide 5|

Zinc Oxide 5.0
Calamine 5. Calamine 5|
Calamine 5.0
Hydrocortisone .5 Hydrocortisone |5
Hydrocortisone 0.5
Talc q.s. 50. Talc q.s. 50|
Talc q.s. 50.0

M.Ft. pulv. M.Ft. pulv.

M.Ft. pulv.
Sig: p.a.a. t.i.d. Sig: p.a.a. t.i.d.
Sig: p.a.a. t.i.d.

Comments: When units are omitted and quantities are expressed in Arabic numbers, as in the
preceding prescriptions, it is assumed that the quantities are expressed in themetric system with
weight measurements in grams and volume measurements in milliliters. Note that the vertical bar in
the last prescription has the same meaning as the decimals in the previous two prescriptions.

Rx
Potassium Iodide 7.2 g
Guaifenesin syrup
Hydroiodic acid syrup aa. q.s. 120 ml

M.FT. syrup
Sig: i tsp q6h

Rx
Benadryl elixir
Nystatin oral suspension aa. 10 ml
Mylanta suspension q.s. ad 120 ml

M.Ft. susp
Sig: 1 Tbl swish and swallow q.i.d, p.c. and
h.s.
Comments: The symbol aa. means "of each." In the first prescription, the prescription is brought to
final volume with a mixture of equal parts of the two syrups. In the second, the suspension is
prepared by mixing 10 ml each of Benadryl elixir and nystatin oral suspension, then adding sufficient
Mylanta suspension to make a total of 120 ml.

Rx
Acetaminophen gr xx
Codeine phosphate gr v
Lactose q.s. gr C

M. et ft. capsules No. XX

Sig: i q6h prn pain

Comments: The abbreviations M. et ft (or M. ft or M. Ft.), meaning mix and make, tells the
pharmacist that a mixture should be prepared of the ingredients in the amounts listed and then
divided into the number of dosage forms indicated. In this case, the ingredients would be divided into
20 capsules, each containing 1 gr. of acetaminophen, 1/4 gr. codeine phosphate and enough lactose to
make a total of 5 gr. The same instructions could have been given by writing the subscription as M. et
div. capsules No. XX.

Rx
Acetaminophen 65 mg
Codeine phosphate 10 mg
Lactose q.s. 300 mg

M. Ft. D.T.D. caps #10

Sig: i q6h prn pain

Comments: Since D.T.D. means "of such doses," this prescription requires that the pharmacist
prepare 10 capsules, each containing the listed weights of ingredients. To determine the total weight
of each ingredient, the pharmacist simply multiplies the given weight by the number of dosage forms.
Here, the pharmacist would weigh 10 x 65 mg = 650 mg acetaminophen.