Solid dosage forms: tablets and herbal teas
Solid dosage forms include tablets and multi-component herbal mixtures.
Tablets (Tabulettae). Prescriptions often feature ready-made tablet dosage forms. For example, if the hormonal drug methylestradiol is prescribed in a dosage of 0.0002 g in an amount of 10 units, the prescription ends with the standard action: "Dispense. Label" (Da. Signa). In the case of complex divided powders that the pharmacist must dispense as tablets, the instruction looks different. For example, with a combination of theobromine and phenobarbital (0.02 g), the physician writes a detailed instruction: "Dispense such doses numbered 12 in tablets" (Da tales doses numero 12 in tabulettis), followed by the command to indicate the method of administration.
Herbal teas (Species) (Species). These represent a crushed mixture of herbal raw materials. For example, antiasthmatic tea is prescribed with a total mass of 50.0 g. When writing a prescription for a herbal tea, the physician uses a special signature in the Subscriptio section (instruction to the pharmacist): "Mix, let a herbal tea be formed" (Misce, fiant species). This is followed by the classic command to dispense and label.
Liquid herbal dosage forms
Galenicals and plant extracts have specific rules for indicating concentration and volume.
- Infusions (Infusum). Prepared from soft parts of plants (flower, leaf) or underground structures. The concentration is set via a strict ratio of the dry mass of the raw material to the volume of the finished liquid. For example, chamomile flower infusion is prescribed as "from 20.0 g to 200 ml". The prescription for rhubarb rhizome and root infusion (Rhizoma et radix) is structured similarly, indicating the proportion "from 15.0 g to 200 ml". The prescription ends with the phrase "Dispense. Label".
- Fluid extracts (Extractum fluidum). Unlike infusions, they are prescribed directly with the total volume of the finished preparation indicated. For example, hawthorn fluid extract is prescribed in a quantity of 25.0 ml.
- Syrups (Sirupus). Viscous liquids, such as rhubarb syrup, are also prescribed for a total volume — for example, 300 ml, followed by instructions to the pharmacist to dispense and label.
Mixtures, potions, and injection solutions
When multiple liquid components are combined in a prescription, an additional mixing instruction is required.
Potions from infusions (combination form). These are complex liquids consisting of several components. An example of such a prescription is a combination of valerian root infusion (from 10.0 g to 200 ml) and motherwort herb infusion (from 20.0 g to 200 ml). In the instruction (Subscriptio), the physician is required to give the command "Mix" (Misce), followed by the order "Dispense. Label".
Solution for injection (Solutio). Injectable forms require compliance with aseptic rules. If a mixture of solutions is prescribed — for example, chlorpromazine solution 2.5% in a volume of 2 ml together with glucose solution 5% in a volume of 20 ml — a critical instruction appears in the prescription. The physician writes in the instruction: "Mix. Sterilize!" (Misce. Sterilisa!). Only with this command is the pharmacist authorized to prepare the injectable drug.
Soft dosage forms
Soft forms include various agents for external use, primarily ointments (Unguentum). When prescribing an ointment, the name of the active substance and the total mass of the finished preparation in grams are indicated.
For example, when prescribing an antibacterial agent — erythromycin ointment — the prescription indicates a mass of 15.0 g. The prescription ends with the standard action for the pharmacist: "Dispense. Label".
Briefly: answers to topical questions
What are the options for prescribing rectal suppositories (Suppositoria rectalia)?
The sources describe an option for a complex prescription of dosed rectal suppositories. Such a prescription lists all ingredients and their quantities per single dose, followed by the standard instruction to the pharmacist to mix the components to form a suppository (Misce, fiat suppositorium) and dispense the required number of doses (Da tales doses numero 10).
Which dosage forms use the instruction Misce, fiat linimentum?
The instruction Misce, fiat linimentum is used for prescribing liniments. This dosage form is also defined as a liquid ointment. In the prescription, this phrasing translates as "Mix, let a liniment be formed" and instructs the pharmacist to mix the listed ingredients to produce the corresponding form.
What generally accepted word abbreviations are permitted in the Latin part of a prescription?
Only generally accepted, officially approved abbreviations, typically containing one, two, or three starting letters of the word, are permitted in the Latin part of a prescription.
It is permitted to abbreviate:
- names of dosage forms (tab., sol., ung.);
- names of plant organs or parts (fol., rad., flor.);
- standard prescription formulations (D.t.d., M.f., S.).
If a word is abbreviated at a syllable with multiple consonants, all of them are retained (e.g., extr.). Names of medicinal substances and plants should not be abbreviated.
How are alcoholic tinctures (Tinctura) prescribed in a prescription?
In the prescription line, tinctures are prescribed indicating the volume in milliliters. When formatting, the dosage form is placed first, followed by the name of the plant in the genitive case (Genetivus) with a capital letter.
If two or more tinctures in equal amounts are prescribed consecutively in a prescription, their dose is indicated only once after the last drug. In this case, the word ana (of each) is placed before the volume figure, for example: Tincturae Valerianae, Tincturae Convallariae ana 10 ml.
Which plant parts are used to make infusions (Infusum) and decoctions (Decoctum)?
The choice of dosage form depends on the density of the plant raw material used:
| Dosage form | Plant parts used |
|---|---|
| Infusions (Infusum) | Soft plant parts (leaves, herb, flowers), as well as raw materials containing essential oils (valerian rhizomes with roots). |
| Decoctions (Decoctum) | Coarse plant parts (bark, roots, rhizomes), as well as dense leathery leaves (bearberry, lingonberry). |
The abbreviation M.D.S. — Misce (Mix), Da (Dispense), Signa (Label) helps remember the basic sequence of actions at the end of a prescription.
Class and exam questions
How to correctly write instructions for preparing an herbal mixture?
In the prescription, it is necessary to write: Misce, fiant species (Mix, let a species be made). After this, Da. Signa is indicated.
What must be added to a mixed injection solution prescription?
The command Sterilisa! (Sterilize!) must be added in the Subscriptio section immediately after the Misce (Mix) instruction.
How is the concentration for an infusion (Infusum) prescribed?
The concentration of an infusion is prescribed via the ratio of the initial mass of the plant raw material and the required volume of liquid, for example: "from 20.0 g to 200 ml".
How to indicate that a complex powder needs to be dispensed in tablet form?
The following phrasing is used: Da tales doses numero (quantity) in tabulettis (Dispense such doses numbered ... in tablets).
What else to study on this topic
- Specifics of prescribing complex divided powders without indicating the dose of one of the components (e.g., theobromine).
- Rules for issuing prescriptions for hormonal medications in tablets.
- Specifics of prescribing galenicals: fluid extracts versus infusions.
- Differences in prescribing plant parts: flowers (chamomile), herb (motherwort), and rhizomes with roots (rhubarb, valerian).
- Prescribing solution concentrations as percentages (chlorpromazine 2.5%, glucose 5%).
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Other topics in the section "Prescription abbreviations. Frequency stems"
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