Solid and semisolid dosage forms
When writing complex prescriptions that require compounding in a pharmacy, all ingredients are listed, followed by instructions to the pharmacist on giving the mixture the required form.
Rectal suppositories In a complex suppository prescription, the components are listed consecutively. For example, the composition may include belladonna extract (Extractum Belladonnae), xeroform (Xeroformium), zinc sulfate (Zinci sulfas), and glycerin (Glycerinum). Cocoa butter (Oleum Cacao) is often used as a base. Following the list of substances comes the command to mix and make a suppository: Misce, fiat suppositorium (abbreviated as M.f. suppositorium). Then the number of doses is indicated: Da tales doses numero 10 (D.t.d. N 10).
Dosed powders A similar approach is used for powders. If the prescription is complex, the active substances are listed, for example, theophylline (Theophyllinum) and ephedrine hydrochloride (Ephedrini hydrochloridum). Next, the instruction Misce, fiat pulvis (M.f. pulvis) is written — mix, let it become a powder.
Ointments In abbreviated prescriptions, when an ointment is issued as a ready-made product, the dosage form, substance name, concentration, and mass are indicated. For example, for hydrocortisone acetate ointment, the entry looks like this: Unguentum Hydrocortisoni acetatis 0,5 % — 20,0.
Liquid dosage forms
Liquid forms require careful attention to the specification of the solvent and the characteristics of the solution.
Oily and alcoholic solutions When prescribing solutions for external use, the nature of the solvent must be specified. For example, a 10% camphor oil solution is translated as Solutio Camphorae oleosa. If an alcoholic solution is used, as in the case of a 0.1% furacilin solution, the term spirituosa is applied (Solutio Furacilini spirituosa).
Complex drops Oil-alcohol drops may contain several components. In addition to the main alcoholic solution, the composition often includes menthol (Mentholum) and various oils: eucalyptus oil (Oleum Eucalypti), castor oil (Oleum Ricini). If the volume needs to be brought up to a certain value, olive oil is used with the preposition ad (up to): Oleum Olivarum ad 15 ml.
Infusions and mixtures When prescribing infusions from plant materials, such as marshmallow root, the initial amount of raw material and the final volume are indicated: Infusum radicis Althaeae ex 3,0 — 100 ml. Syrup, such as marshmallow syrup (Sirupus Althaeae), may be added to the mixture. At the end, the standard command Misce. Da. Signa (M.D.S.) is placed.
Medicinal teas (Herbal mixtures)
Medicinal teas / herbal mixtures (Species) belong to undosed forms. The name of the mixture is always placed in the genitive plural case.
- Diuretic herbal tea: translated as Species diureticae. The total mass (e.g., 50.0) and the standard dispensing signature are indicated in the prescription: Da. Signa (D.S.).
- Pectoral herbal tea: translated as Species pectorales. The formatting rules are identical to the diuretic tea; only the modifying adjective changes.
Standard prescription formulations
In the Latin part of the prescription, verbs are used in the imperative or subjunctive mood.
Main commands to the pharmacist:
- Da. Signa (D.S.) — Dispense. Label. Used for ready-made forms and simple prescriptions.
- Misce. Da. Signa (M.D.S.) — Mix. Dispense. Label. Used when several components need to be mixed in a single container (e.g., mixtures or drops).
- Misce, fiat... (M.f.) — Mix, let it become... Used in complex prescriptions to create a specific form (powder, suppository).
- Da tales doses numero... (D.t.d. N) — Dispense such doses in the number of... Indicates the exact number of portions that need to be prepared.
Briefly: answers to topical questions
What solid dosage forms are prescribed in medical practice?
The following solid dosage forms are prescribed in medical practice:
- Powders (pulvis) — sterile, soluble, dosed.
- Tablets (tabulettae) — including coated tablets (tabulettae obductae).
- Dragees (dragée) — a solid dosed form obtained by layering.
- Granules (granula) — a dosed form.
- Capsules (capsulae) — gelatin shells for internal use.
- Pills (pilulae) — a spherical form weighing 0.1–0.5 g.
- Herbal teas / mixtures (species) — a mixture of crushed or whole raw materials.
Spansules, caramels, lozenges, microcapsules, and microdragees are also mentioned.
What semisolid dosage forms exist in Latin prescription writing?
In Latin prescription writing, semisolid dosage forms include:
- Ointments — unguenta; example: Unguenti Hydrocortisoni acetatis.
- Pastes.
- Liniments.
- Suppositories — rectal and vaginal suppositories are mentioned in the sources.
- Plasters — for example, epilin plaster.
- Gels.
- Creams.
What liquid dosage forms are prescribed in prescriptions?
The following liquid dosage forms are prescribed in prescriptions:
- Solutions — for external, internal use, and for injections.
- Eye drops.
- Infusions and decoctions.
- Tinctures.
- Extracts — liquid, thick, dry; liquid extracts are also mentioned.
- Novigalenic preparations.
- Mixtures.
- Emulsions.
- Suspensions.
- Mucilages and syrups.
- Aerosols.
Additionally, the sources indicate that tinctures are alcoholic or hydroalcoholic extracts, and syrup is a homogeneous liquid dosage form for internal use — a concentrated solution of various sugars containing active and auxiliary substances.
What types of medicinal herbal teas (Species) are used in medicine?
The sources mention the following types of medicinal herbal teas (Species):
- Diuretic collection — Specierum diureticarum.
- Pectoral collection — Specierum pectoralium / species pectorales.
- Sedative collection — Specierum sedativarum.
- Gastric collection — species gastrointestinales.
- Antiasthmatic collection — species antiasthmaticae / Specierum antiasthmaticarum.
- Cholagogue collection — species cholagogae.
- Bitter collection — species amarae.
Collection (Species) is a mixture of several types of crushed or whole medicinal plant materials intended for the preparation of infusions and decoctions.
Which prepositions are used in the prescription line?
The sources mention the following prepositions and expressions in the prescription line:
- cum — "with", used with Ablativus: cum extracto — "with extract".
- ex — "from", used with Ablativus: ex aqua — "from water".
- pro — "for", used with Ablativus: pro injectionibus — "for injections".
- ad — found in the expressions ad stenocardiam — "for stenocardia", ad myalgiam et arthralgiam — "for myalgia and arthralgia", ad usum internum — "for internal use".
In which cases are the names of medicinal substances written in a prescription?
The names of medicinal substances and forms in a prescription are written in two main cases:
- Genitive case (Genitivus) — used for the names of medicines and ingredients, as they grammatically depend on the indication of the dose (e.g., Rp.: Atropini 0,0005).
- Accusative case (Accusativus) — used for finished dosage forms in abbreviated prescribing, since the form depends on the verb Recipe (e.g., Tabulettas, Suppositoria).
To remember the sequence of actions in a complex prescription, use the abbreviation MFDT: Misce (Mix) — Fiat (Let there be made) — Da Tales (Give such) — Signa (Label).
Class and exam questions
How is the addition of a substance to the required volume indicated?
For this purpose, the preposition ad is used, followed by the final volume. For example, Oleum Olivarum ad 15 ml means adding olive oil until a total volume of 15 ml is reached.
What abbreviation is used to dispense a specific number of doses?
The phrase Da tales doses numero is used, which is usually abbreviated in the prescription as D.t.d. N, followed by the required number.
How to correctly write oil and alcohol solutions?
Adjectives denoting the solvent are placed at the end. An oil solution is translated as Solutio oleosa, and an alcohol solution as Solutio spirituosa. The names of the substances themselves are placed between these words in the genitive case.
What else to study on this topic
- Declension features of vegetable oil names (olive, cocoa, eucalyptus, castor)
- Rules for formatting abbreviated prescriptions for semi-solid dosage forms
- Specifics of prescribing infusions with indication of the initial amount of raw material via the preposition ex
- Rules for adjective agreement in the names of medicinal herbal collections
- Difference in the application of M.D.S. and M.f. commands in complex prescriptions
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