Responsible Use of Medicines Handbook - IPA PDF

Campaign for Awareness on Responsible Use of Medicines
Responsible Use of Medicines
A Laymans Handbook...
Indian Pharmaceutical Association

Pharmacy Council of India
Responsible Use of Medicines
INDIAN PHARMACEUTICAL ASSOCIATION
COMMUNITY PHARMACY DIVISION (IPA CPD)
Kalina, Santacruz (E), Mumbai - 400098 INDIA

Tel : 91-22-26671072
Email : ipacentre@ipapharma.org Website : www.ipapharma.org
ipacpd@gmail.com
Project Coordinators
Manjiri Gharat Raj Vaidya
Contributors & Professional Guidance :-
Priyanka Barad Ivin James Sulaksha Mardolkar
Uttara S. Bhomkar Saba Jamadar Subhash Mandal
Shubhangi Borker Madhusudhan Joshi Pradeep Mishra
Kaushik Desai Moreshwar Kamat Guruprasad Mohanta
Amruta Deshpande Ramachandra V. Keny Rajesh Parab
Elga De souza Shreya Madkaikar Ratnadeep Kurtarkar
Kavita Gaonkar Sneha Mangaokar Dixon Thomas
Jessica Gracious Nitin Maniar English Editing
Satish Shah Vasundhara Deodhar Neeraja Vaidya
Thanks to staff of Hindu Pharmacy, Panaji
Disclaimer:
This booklet is published in public interest to educate the general public about the
responsible use of medicines. The booklet is not an alternative to medical consultation.
Neither the contributors nor the publishers (IPA and PCI) shall be responsible for any
harm caused by the use of the booklet without medical consultation.
Photos of products/brands shown in this booklet are for the purpose of illustration only
and IPA and PCI have no commercial assertions.
Copyright: The information contained in this booklet can be used in part or in
whole for non-commercial purpose with due acknowledgement of the source.
Message from the President of the Indian Pharmaceutical Association
Dr. Rao V. S. V. Valdlamudi
The Indian Pharmaceutical Associations Community Pharmacy Division with support from
the Pharmacy Council of India brought out this laymans handbook on the Responsible
Use of Medicines. This handbook contains a lot of information written in a simple fashion
about various aspects of medicines that we use regularly. It is not an exaggeration to state
that medicines have profound impact on our current life style and right from increasing life
expectancy to improving the quality of life of persons suffering from chronic ailments. Each
medicine available in the pharmacy to treat a specific or a variety of conditions is
researched for several years and approved for clinical use. Medicines save lives if used
appropriately and can prove to be unsafe if not used properly. The knowledge about safe
and proper use of medicines should be known to the doctor, the pharmacist and the patient
and most often this is not the case. With an intention to make the common public aware of
the facts about how medicines have to be used responsibly for their own good, a project has
been taken up by the community pharmacy Division of IPA under the leadership of Mrs.
Manjiri Gharat and Mr. Raj Vaidya to produce this handbook. This hand book is a result of
contributions from several people and financial support from the pharmacy council of India
and I take this opportunity to gratefully acknowledge their contribution. I am sure this
handbook would serve the purpose for which it is developed and would become
instrumental in bringing about responsible use of medicines in our country.
Dr. Rao V. S. V. Vadlamudi.

President, IPA &
Director, St. Peters Institute of
Pharmaceutical Sciences, Warangal
rao.vadlamudi@gmail.com
Message from the President of Pharmacy Council of India
Dr. B. Suresh
Responsible Use of Medicines not only improves health outcomes, but also optimizes
health care spending through the prevention and/or delay of costlier and more severe
conditions. The IMS institute for Healthcare Informatics has reported that a half trillion
dollars in annual global health spending can be saved through the responsible use of
medicines. In a country like India, which manufactures USD $ 12.5 billion worth of
medicines. And with 1.25 billion populations, 60% of whom live in rural areas this becomes
much more relevant.The need of the hour of the country is to include the role of medicines
as an integral part of the health system in the Medicines Policy of the country and make
efforts to contain costs across the overall health system. In todays economic climate, this
could be a top health policy priority given both the positive impact on overall spending and
resulting improvement in the health outcomes. The effort of Indian Pharmaceutical
Association (IPA) in this direction to bring a handbook of Responsible Use of Medicines is
in the right direction and laudable. The Pharmacy Council of the India congratulates IPA for
the same and wishes success in all its endeavours.
Dr. B. Suresh,
President, Pharmacy Council of India &
Vice Chancellor, JSS University, Mysore
sureshbhojraj@hotmail.com
Index
Sr. No Topic Page No.
Introduction 1
1 What are Medicines, And Why Do We Need Them ? 3
2 Types of Medicines 6
3 Medicine Labels 11
4 Medicines and Prescriptions 14
5 Meet the Pharmacist 24
6 Care While Purchasing Medicines 26
7 Spurious, Sub-Standard, Counterfeit Medicines 31
8 Storage of Medicines 34
9 Self Medication 38
10 Understanding Your Medicines 41
11 Prescription Abbreviations, Common Terms & Measurements 46
12 Improper Use of Medicines 50
13 Side Effects of Medicines 57
14 Drug Interactions 62
15 Advertisements of Medicines 67
16 Rational Use of Medicines 69
17 Medicines and Children 72
18 Medicines and The Elderly 77
19 Medicines During Pregnancy and Lactation 79
20 Various Dosage Forms 82
21 List of Websites 104

Introduction
Medicines have revolutionized our lives. They are one of the reasons for our
longevity, alleviation of diseases and suffering. Medicines today have a very
important role to play, and no, today we cannot imagine a world without
medicines.
However, medicine safety is an issue of prime importance. There is a lot of

ignorance amongst the public about the proper or safe use of medicines. A very
large percentage of people are ignorant about various aspects of medicines
care to be taken while purchasing, how they affect us, their proper storage, how
they need to be correctly taken, at what times and for how long, what
precautions to take while on medication, what happens if we do not use them
properly, about side effects, drug interactions, etc. According to the W.H.O.,
more than half of the patients do not take their medicines appropriately.
Irrational use of medicines leads to so many ill consequences improper

treatment, under effects, side effects, and this ultimately leads to delayed
recovery, continuance of agonies and discomforts, often increased expenses,
hospitalizations, and even premature deaths.
Medicines are like a double edged sword of great benefit if used correctly, but
can cause harm if used incorrectly.
It is strange, but true, that at no point in our lives during our education or
otherwise, are we given any formal or informal basic tips/information about
medicines and their proper use. As a result of this common man is ignorant of
the same, and whatever information they have is the information they have
obtained during their own personal experiences or those of their family
members, while using medicines at home or during hospitalization/s.
It is a well proven fact that if the patient has sufficient information about the
medicines he is supposed to or going to take, the treatment outcomes will
improve and also reduces chances of side effects. Health care professionals
doctors, pharmacists and nurses are expected to provide this information. But
unfortunately, in our country, for various reasons, it does not always happen.
Indian Pharmaceutical Association 01

Tragically, more than half of Indias population does not have proper access to
essential medicines.
The IPA (Indian Pharmaceutical Association) has prepared this booklet to put
together various simple, yet basic and useful information to help a lay person
to move towards "Responsible use of medicines" We hope that, by going
through this booklet, one would greatly benefit in increasing ones knowledge
about medicines, and find it useful in everyday life, when encountering
medicines for oneself or members of the family.
We would also like to convey to you that pharmacists are there to help out
people on their queries regarding medicines, and guide them on their safe
usage. Public, therefore, must take advantage of their pharmacists, whether in
the retail pharmacies/medical stores or in the hospital.
There is an urgent need to create mass awareness amongst the public about
responsible use of medicines, and we hope that this is a small contribution
towards this.
We hope you find this booklet useful and keep it handy with you.
Responsible Use of Medicines :
The term Responsible Use of Medicines implies that the activities,
capabilities, and existing resources of health system stakeholders are aligned
to ensure patients receive the right medicines at the right time, use them
appropriately, and benefit from them
Also the patients and caretakers of the patient are equally responsible to ensure
rational therapy by adhering to the instructions of the healthcare professionals.
This is turn will benefit the patients.
Medicines And Shoes

Prescription medicines are like shoes
we each have our own.
Your doctor prescribes the proper medicine,
strength and dosage
especially for you, according to your illness, age,
weight and other conditions.
Do not offer your prescription medicine to others.
Similarly, never use someone elses medicine.
02 Responsible Use of Medicines

1 What are Medicines,
And Why do we need them ?
Medicines or drugs are chemicals or substances (other than food) for internal or
external use, and which are :
a. used for or in the medical diagnosis, cure/treatment, mitigation or

prevention of any disease or disorder in human beings or animals.
b. intended to affect the structure or function of the human body or intended

to be used for the destruction of vermin or insects which cause disease in
human beings or animals.
Certain devices intended for internal or external use in the diagnosis,

treatment, mitigation or prevention of disease or disorder in human
beings or animals, are also categorized as drugs as per the law in India. -
e.g. Diagnostic medicines, disposable syringes and needles, catheters,
I.V. infusion sets, etc.
Since the word drug may sound like a misnomer (and people may believe them to
be substances used for illicit purposes), the W.H.O. (World Health Organization),
now prefers to use the word Medicine. These refer to legal drugs.
Note In this booklet, as far as possible, we have tried and used

the word medicines when referring to drugs which
help us to get better. However, because of some long standing
conventions, sometimes we have used the word drug for such drugs.
Thus, medicines and drugs sometimes have been used interchangeably,
which may please be noted.
Even though medicines are legal drugs, they can still be very dangerous if
they are taken without consulting the doctor or pharmacist, or taken in larger
than the prescribed quantity, or medicines prescribed for someone else are
taken, or if they are not taken as per instructions and in the correct manner.

1 Various stages of discovery of a medicine:
Introducing a new medicine (drug molecule) in the market is no easy task.
It needs the efforts of a large team of scientists and other personnel,
anything from 12-15 years of a whole set of studies and trials, and
volumes of documentation, reporting and an expense of anything from
1-1.2 billion dollars! From the thousands of chemicals synthesized and
screened, just a few may get approval and ultimately reach the market.
The others drop out on the long journey at some point of time, since they
do not prove to be the right candidates.
Target Synthesis Chemical & physical

1. DRUG New
characterization of
DISCOVERY Idea identification of chemicals chemicals
2 - 5 Years
Research team
formed & objectives
set
2. SCREENING Chemicals tested for efficacy and safety in the test tube/
tissue culture/animals. Results used to short list drug candidates
2 - 5 Years
3. ANIMAL Pharmacological Preparing formulations. Chronic safety

STUDIES / and toxicological Using drug formulation studies on
PRE-CLINICAL trials on animals for stability, scale up animals
STUDIES synthesis
2 - 5 Years
4. HUMAN
Phase I Phase II Phase III
STUDIES/
20 - 100 100 - 300 1000 - 10000
CLINICAL
volunteers volunteers volunteers
TRIALS
6 - 10 Years
To determine Evaluate Verify effectiveness
safety and effectiveness & and monitor
dosage side effects adverse long term use
After FDA Approval
Post
5. MARKETING Marketing Drug in Marketing Check for
permission Market surveillance ADR's

2 Need for medicines:
Medicines change the way the body works. Medicines help us to get better
when we are unwell. Medicines are an integral part of health care today
and health care is unimaginable without them. In simple words, we need
medicines to prevent or cure illnesses.
All of us need medicines at some time or the other for:

Diagnosis: e.g. various diagnostic agents,
Prevention: e.g. various vaccines to prevent various diseases, or calcium to
prevent calcium deficiency, etc.
Relieving/alleviating symptoms: e.g. to reduce pain, swelling, congestion,
etc.
Control/reduce worsening of disease/illness: e.g. blood pressure
medicine/s to control blood pressure and thus avoid complications;
antihistaminic to relieve symptoms of itching/allergies, etc.
Treatment/cure of various ailments/diseases, when the disease is not
self-limiting: e.g. antibiotics to get rid of the bacterial infection, deworming
tablets to get rid of intestinal worms, etc.
Medicines thus prevent and treat diseases/illnesses and epidemics;

thus saving lives and promoting health.
Patient to decide and take the medicines:

While the doctor prescribes/recommends medicines/treatment to the
patient, what is to be done next is in the hands of the patient. It is the
right of every patient to decide what treatment to take and whether to
take the treatment or not. The health care provider can only
recommend the patient has to decide and actually carry out the step
of taking the medicines, and in the correct manner and for the
prescribed period of time.
For e.g.
E Complete the course of antibiotics without missing a dose.
E Take blood pressure medication/s everyday without fail at the
same time/s of the day/night, as advised by the doctor.
It is very important to realize that the patient

Note is also an equal partner in his/her own health care.

2 Types of Medicines
Worldwide, besides the allopathic or modern system of medicines, there are a
wide variety of systems of medicines (often called as traditional or alternative or
complimentary systems). In India, various systems of medicine are practiced,
and medicines of various systems are available. The following are the
recognized systems of medicine in India:
A
Traditional
Y
Indian
U
Systems of Medicine
S
H
SOWA-RIGPA (Amchi system) - (recently recognized)
www.indianmedicine.nic.in
And, the following types of medicines are available :
Allopathic (modern medicine), Ayurvedic, Siddha, Unani and Homoeopathic.
Most of these can usually be distinguished easily by looking at the label:
Ayurvedic Medicine
Homoeopathic Medicine

Unani Medicine
Siddha Medicine
In terms of value, the Indian pharmaceutical industry ranks globally as the 12th
largest market by sales value ($ 10 billion) and is globally ranked as 2nd largest
by volume of sales. This accounts for 8% of the world's production by volume.
Did You Know ?

The annual pharmaceutical sales in India
for various systems of medicines is :
S y s te m o f M e d ic in e S a le s in I N R o r p e r c e n ta g e %
A llo p a th y m a r k e t* 77529 C rore
A Y U SH ** 8800 C rore
A yu rved a 83%
H o m e o p a th y 2%
U n a n i a n d S id d h a 0 .2 %
Data Year: 2013.*: AIOCD PharmaTrac **: Courtsey: Mr Anil Khanna
Allopathic medicines thus take up a large share of the medicines manufactured

and used in India.
1 Which system of medicine to choose ?
It is solely the patients choice as to which system of medicine he should choose,
and accordingly he has to go to a qualified doctor of that system of medicine.
Some of the approved qualifications of doctors of various system of medicine :
Allopathy : M.B.B.S. Ayurveda : B.A.M.S.

Homoeopathy : L.C.E.H., D.H.M.S., B.H.M.S. Unani : B.U.M.S.
Siddha : B.S.M.S.
The Government of India has created a special department in 1995 (now called
as Department of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and
Homoeopathy - AYUSH ) with a view to providing focused attention to the
development of Education & Research in Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy,
Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathic systems. (A few years ago, the Sow-Rigpa
system was also recognized by the Department). It works towards upgradation
of AYUSH educational standards, quality control and standardization of
drugs, improving the availability of medicinal plant material, research and
development and awareness generation about the efficacy of the systems,
domestically and internationally.
2 Dietary Supplements / Food supplements:

Some products available in pharmacies are strictly speaking not
medicines, and therefore may not have undergone clinical trials to prove
the safety and efficacy of the products:
v A dietary supplement/food supplement is a product taken by mouth,
and that which contains a "dietary ingredient" intended to supplement the
diet.
v The "dietary ingredients" in these products may include: vitamins,
minerals, proteins and substances such as enzymes, coenzymes, other
food substances, etc.
v These may be in the form of tablets/ capsules, powders or liquid.
v They bear on their label, wordings such as Dietary Supplement,
NutritionalFoodSupplement(Proprietaryfood), Health Supplement
and Not For Medicinal Use.
The Food and Safety Standards Act was passed in August 2006, and the
Rules in 2011, but came into force from 5th August 2012. The Act lays
down standards for articles of food and regulates their manufacture,
storage, distribution, sale and import in order to ensure availability of
quality food products of good standards to the public.
It is now mandatory for all the food business operators, manufacturers
in India to get licensed/registered under the FSSA Act.
Under the Food Safety and Standards Act, Dietary supplements are
termed as Foods for special dietary uses or functional foods or
nutraceuticals or health supplements and defined as :
a) Foods which are specially processed or formulated in order to satisfy
particular dietary requirements which exist because of particular
physiological or physical condition and which are processed as such
wherein the composition of these foodstuffs must differ significantly
from the ordinary food of comparable nature, if such ordinary food exists

one or more of the following ingredients namely:
i. Plants or botanicals in the form of powder, concentrates or extracts in
water, ethyl alcohol, single or in combinations.
ii. Minerals, vitamins or proteins (amounts not exceeding recommended
daily allowance for Indians) or enzymes.
iii. Substances from animal origin
iv. A dietary substance being used by human beings to supplements the
diet by increasing the total dietary intake.
b)
i. A product that is labelled as food for special dietary uses or functional
foods or nutraceuticals or health or similar such foods which is not
represented for use as conventional food and whereby such
products may be formulated in the form of powders, granules, tablets,
capsules, liquids, jelly and other dosage forms but not parenterals, and are
meant for oral administration;
ii. Such a product does not include a drug as defined in clause (b) and
Ayurvedic, Siddha and Unani drugs as defined in clauses (a) and (h) of
Section 3 of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and Rules made
thereunder.
iii. Does not claim to cure or mitigate any specific disease, disorder or
condition (except for certain health benefit or such promotion claims) as
may be permitted by the regulations made under this Act;
iv. Does not include a narcotic drug or a psychotropic substance as defined in
the Schedule of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act,
1985 and Rules made thereunder and substances listed in Schedules E and
EI of the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945;
Dietary Supplements in India could be identified by descriptions on their

labels such as:
Dietary Supplement (Proprietary food) or Health Supplement
(Proprietary food) or Nutritional Supplement (Proprietary food) and
Not for medicinal use
Packaging and labelling requirements of food for special dietary uses,
as per the Food Safety and Standard Act stipulate that:
Labels shall not contain any statement, claim, design or device which is
false or misleading in any particular concerning the food products
contained in the package or concerning the quantity or the nutritive value
implying medicinal or therapeutic claims or in relation to the place of

origin of the said food products.
labelling and presentation of food, including their shape, appearance
or packaging, the packaging materials used, the manner in which they are
arranged and the setting in which they are displayed, and the information
which is made available about them through whatever medium) does not
mislead consumers.
Label should not makes a false or misleading representation concerning
the need for, or the usefulness; or guarantee of the efficacy that is not based
on an adequate or scientific justification thereof (Provided that where a
defense is raised to the effect that such guarantee is based on adequate or
scientific justification, the burden of proof of such defense shall lie on the
person raising such defense.)
The label of such dietary products should contain:

Name of product (including the word "Dietary Supplement (Proprietary
food or Health Supplement (proprietary food) or nutritional supplement
(proprietary food)" or a statement that the product is a supplement)
Net quantity of contents
Name and address of manufacturer and packer
Directions for use
The label of the supplement may or may not contain a cautionary
statement. However, the lack of a cautionary statement does not mean that
no adverse effects are associated with the product.
E However in a rapidly expanding market like India, most labels for Dietary
Supplements do not contain all this information.
E Dietary supplements are not intended to treat, diagnose, mitigate, prevent

or cure disease.
E As there are no strict criteria for dietary supplements as compared to drug

products with regards to regulatory aspects, it is an ethical responsibility
of the manufacturer to check its adverse effects before marketing. The
product should be withdrawn if any adverse reactions occur after
consumption.
E The Drug Control authorities are responsible for taking action against
any unsafe dietary supplement products in the market.

3 Medicine Labels
There is a lot of information printed on

medicine labels. Some of this is mandatory,
and some of it is put to help patients use the
medicine safely. Unfortunately, many a times,
the printing on strips of medicines is quite
unreadable even with a magnifying glass!
In such cases, patients must ask the pharmacy staff and read the label of the
immediate bigger container/carton (like the carton label below) for getting
more information.
Generic name of
active(s) or drug(s)
Strength or Potency Trade (Brand) Manufacturing
or constituent(s)
of the main ingredient Name License Number
Colouring agents
used in the medicine Batch/Lot Number
Quantity to be taken Date of Manufacture
Date of Expiry
Storage Conditions
Price
Category of drug : in
this case, Schedule
H.
With the warning that Red line indicating that

this can be sold only it is a Schedule H Drug
against a proper and is to be used under
prescription. medical supervision Name & address of
only! manufacturer
Fig. Immediate carton of medication-different parts of the label explained.

A look at various medicine labels in India makes it evident that most of these
labels do not include patient oriented information. In most of the developed
countries it is mandatory that the label or immediate container of medicines
should bear comprehensive patient oriented information on them which will
help the patient to make a responsible choice before using the medication.

Here is an example of what information is generally provided in USA:
1 Package Inserts :
In India, some medicine cartons contain a
package insert. Unfortunately, this insert
is meant only for the use of an R.M.P., a
Hospital or a Laboratory, and is actually
NOT meant for the common man/patient,
since it contains a lot of technical/ medical
information, which could be misleading
to the patient or unnecessarily alarm him.

2 Patient Package Inserts :
In most countries of the world, medicine packs are accompanied by what are
called as PPIs (Patient Package Inserts) or PILs (Patient Information Leaflets)
these leaflets/inserts contain simple information that is easy to understand (not
medical jargon) about the medicine in the package. Here is an example of a PPI
from USA:
3 Ancillary labels : Unfortunately, for

us in India, this concept hardly exists. Neither
do the companies introduce such inserts, nor
do the laws of the country make it mandatory
to do so. In most developed countries, the
pharmacy personnel put an Ancillary
Label on each medicine pack
dispensed to the patient.
The Label bears on it :
a. Dose of the medicine
b. Any warning or cautions to be taken while
medicating
This is very useful for the patient because the dosing of each medicine is written
on the medicine label itself. It is important that this concept is introduced in our
country also.

4 Medicines & Prescriptions
Allopathic medicines are mainly of two types : Prescription medicines and Non-
prescription medicines (OTC or Over The Counter medicines)
Prescription Medicines Non-Prescription (OTC) Medicines
Those allopathic medicines which, Those allopathic medicines which,
by law, can be purchased by by law, can be purchased by
patients/customers ONLY against a customer without a prescription of a
prescription of a qualified doctor doctor, or can be recommended by
(Registered Medical Practitioner- the pharmacist.
R.M.P.). A pharmacy/medical store
is legally NOT permitted to sell
such medicines to patients unless a
proper prescription is produced /
shown.
Can be dangerous if not taken as per Relatively safe, have a history of

doctor's advice or taken without safety, and can be self-medicated.
being prescribed by a doctor. Need However , they too can cause side
to be used carefully. effects, thus also need to be used
carefully.
Cannot be advertised to the public. Are often advertised to the public.
A large majority of the medicines For example : Paracetamol, Aspirin,

available today in the market are E l e c t r o l y t e s , Vi t a m i n s a n d
prescription medicines : Minerals, antiseptic creams,
For example : Painkillers ( Voveran, Calamine lotion, etc.
Combiflam, etc.), Steroids, Blood
Pressure Medicines, Antibiotics,
Anti diabetics, Psychiatric
Medicines, etc.
1 Who is an R.M.P. (Registered Medical Practitioner) ?
In India, an R.M.P. is a qualified allopathic Doctor/Dentist/Veterinarian, one
who has a minimum of M.B.B.S./B.D.S./B.V.Sc. qualification through a
recognized medical/dental/vetrinary college, and is registered with the
respective state council in which he/she wishes to practice.
Therefore, a doctor with only such minimum qualification is authorized to
prescribe allopathic medicines.
2 Prescription medicines :
Watch out for these signs and warning on medicine labels:
1. The symbol
2. Red Line
3. Schedule H/H1/X Drug : Warning :

To be sold by retail on the prescription
of a Registered Medical Practitioner only.
Medicines bearing these on their label are called as Prescription Medicines.
NRx is written on the label of some prescription medicines which fall under
the NDPS (Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances) Act. Example:
Diazepam, Alprazolam.
Schedule H1: A new category Schedule H1 is a new schedule introduced in

the Drugs and Cosmetics Rule from 1st March, 2014, and which contains 46
drugs and their fixed dose combinations.
It has been introduced to reduce/prevent the present massive improper
use/misuse/abuse of medicines, and includes 24 antibiotics, 11 psychotropic
drugs and 11 anti-tubercular and anti-leprosy drugs.
The label of the product containing schedule H1 drug should bear on it :
Rx which shall be in red and conspicuously displayed on left top corner
of the label
And a box with red border bearing the words :
SCHEDULE H1 DRUG -Warning:

It is dangerous to take this preparation except in accordance with the
medical advice.
Not to be sold by retail without the prescription of a Registered
Medical Practitioner.

Under this Rule it is also mandated that the pharmacy dispensing a Schedule
H1 preparation has to maintain a Schedule H1 Register, which should contain
the date, name of the drugs, quantity dispensed, name of the patient, name and
address of the prescriber. For e.g. :
1. Alprazolam 2. Balofloxacin 3. Buprenorphine
4. Capreomycin 5. Cefdinir 6. Cefditoren
7. Cefepime 8. Cefetamet 9. Cefixime
10. Cefoperazone 11. Cefotaxime 12. Cefpirome
13. Cefpodoxime 14. Ceftazidime 15. Ceftibuten
16. Ceftizoxime 17. Ceftriaxone 18. Chlordiazepoxide
19. Clofazimine 20. Codeine 21. Cycloserine
22. Diazepam 23. Diphenoxylate 24. Doripenem
25. Ertapenem 26. Ethambutol 27. Ethionamide
hydrochloride
28. Faropenem 29. Gemifloxacin 30. Imipenem
31. Isoniazid 32. Levofloxacin 33. Meropenem
34. Midazolam 35. Moxifloxacin 36. Nitrazepam
37. Pentazocine 38. Prulifloxacin 39. Pyrazinamide
40. Rifabutin 41. Rifampicin 42. Sodium
para-aminosalicylate
43. Sparfloxacin 44. Thiacetazone 45. Tramadol
46. Zolpidem
3 Non-prescription medicines :
Some medicines do not carry a prescription warning, and even though there is
no separate legal category called as OTC Medicines (a category which
exists in most countries in the world) in India, such medicines, which do not
need the prescription of a doctor, are called as NON-PRESCRIPTION
MEDICINES.
However, it is very important to note that:

OTC medicines, even though easily available, are also SERIOUS medicines,
and CAN CAUSE problems if not used properly.
For e.g.,
even a single tablet of Aspirin could cause gastric irritation, or even
precipitate an underlying ulcer, and in rare cases, can cause death in a
susceptible person!
repeated use of antacids can mask an underlying gastric ulcer or even
cancer!

Have a look at the label of Aspirin:
Besides, Aspirin should not be used in patients :
Who have a history of gastric ulceration

Who are on anticoagulant therapy like Warfarin (unless recommended by
the doctor)
Who have a history of asthma
Thus, one can see that, even though OTC medicines are meant for self-
medication, they can create problems too!
Note All medicines are foreign substances to our body !

OTC medicines are serious medicines too !
If you are self-medicating, please do it with utmost care.
4 What is a prescription?
A prescription is an important legal document. It is an order for medication,
issued by a qualified physician, dentist, veterinary doctor, or a licensed
medical practitioner, to a patient. The pharmacy honours the prescription by
dispensing the medicines written on it to the patient.
A prescription designates medicines written on it to the patient and dosages
to be administered to a particular patient at a specified time.
Generally, most prescriptions are handwritten by the doctor. However, in
today's advanced world, a typed or computer printed prescription may be
accepted, provided it is personally dated and signed with his usual signature
by the prescriber.
The patient is then expected to
follow the order written on the
prescription to consume the
medicines. The prescription
` thus acts as a mediator between
the doctor, pharmacist and the
patient.

5 How should an ideal prescription be?
An ideal prescription should be on a properly printed letterhead (containing
various informations related to the doctor), and be typed or written by the doctor
to contain various details (related to the patient, the medicine, and other details),
as follows:
CONTENTS OF A PRESCRIPTION : A prescription should ideally consist of the following :
DOCTOR'S DETAILS PATIENT DETAILS MEDICINE DETAILS OTHER DETAILS

Full name Full name Name of the medicine Date
Qualifications Age Strength or potency Doctors
Registration Weight Dosage form signature
number Address, Phone Dosage Refill
Address number information
Dosing instructions
Phone number Sex
Total quantity
Married Yes/No
IDEAL PRESCRIPTION
Dr. Full Name, M.B.B.S., M.D.
Reg. No.: xxxxxxxx
Address : Full Address, Tel No.: xxxxxxx
Date : 29/8/2009
29/8/2009
Patients' Name : ___________________
Patient's Address : _________________
Rx
1.Valium 5mg
1 tab at night x 20 --- 20 tab
Doctor's usual sign

Date
Dr.'s Full name,

Qual(M.B.B.S.),Reg.No
DO NOT REFILL (DISPENSE ONLY ONCE)

6 Importance of carrying a prescription to buy
prescription medicines :
Unfortunately, in India, many people do not carry a prescription to the pharmacy,

and have got into the wrong habit of asking for medicines by various other means :
Asking verbally by name.
Asking verbally by colour or price of the medicines.
Showing old strips/cartons/bottle/bottle caps.
Writing name of the medicine/s on bits of paper or on the hand.
Showing name of the medicine/s on mobile messages.
Bringing VERY OLD prescriptions (sometimes many years old!).
Informing the name of the medicine/s over telephone
and asking it to be sent home.
All these can thus be dangerous practices !
Just writing or mentioning the name of the medicine may not

always do. Medicines come in a variety of potencies, dosage
forms and combination of drugs bearing the same trade name
with minor changes in extensions (and containing drugs in
different potencies and combinations).
For e.g.:
Blumox has various brand extensions as under:

Blumox (DT) Dispersible 125mg, 250mg Tablets, Blumox LB 250, 500mg
Tablets, Blumox 250, 500mg Capsules, Blumox Suspension, Blumox Drops, etc.

PLEASE CO-OPERATE WITH THE PHARMACY PERSONNEL
BY LAW, A PHARMACY IS SUPPOSED TO PUT A DISPENSED

STAMP AFTER DISPENSING EVERY PRESCRIPTION
DISPENSED
XYZ MEDICAL STORE
DATE:
SIGNATURE
OF PHARMACIST:
Medicines must be taken only for the time/period/

Note duration specified
by the doctor on the prescription
The Pharmacist at the Pharmacy needs to have a

look and verify your prescription each time!
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Smart Better to be safe than sorry.

Always carry your prescription when you visit the
Moves pharmacy for mutual protection!
COMMON EXCUSES GIVEN BY CUSTOMERS FOR

NOT BRINGING A PRESCRIPTION
I forgot to bring!
The doctor has prescribed over the phone.
The doctor is my relative and has verbally told me what to take.
First time anyone has asked me for a prescription!
I know my medicines by heart; I'm taking them for years!
Why does one need a prescription for an antibiotic?
You want me to go all the way home and bring the prescription?
The prescription is at home. My wife told me the medicine over the phone
All pharmacies give why can't you?
Here, speak to my doctor he will confirm
Don't worry, I won't hold you responsible
We cannot afford going to the doctor every time for the prescription.
If you can't give without a prescription, give only a few, and the rest later.
My friend recommended this medicine as it was effective for him.

(avoids the time and cost factor of going to the doctor)

Check
OUT Buying Medicines Without A Prescription Can
Be Dangerous, As You May Be Buying The Wrong
Medicine All The Time......
In India, the practice of dispensing of prescription medicines without a proper

prescription is widespread and dangerous. Unfortunately it has remained so
for the past several years and very little is being done to reduce the problem.
The problem is not an individual one and it needs to be addressed by all the
stake holders. Below are some possible solutions:
2. IMPLEMENTATION OF LAWS
Sale of prescription medicines by
pharmacies only against a proper
prescription of an R.M.P.
Proper inspection/ supervision of
pharmacies from time to time.
Regulate cross-practice & prescribing
methods
Eliminate QUACKS.
Suitable modifications in the law.
SOLUTIONS TO
REDUCE PROBLEM
OF SALE OF PRESCRIPTION
MEDICINES WITHOUT
PROPER PRESCRIPTION.
3. PHARMACIES 4. DOCTORS
Presence of pharmacist in the pharmacy Cultivate habit of writing complete
while dispensing prescription prescriptions.
medicines. Give fresh prescription for each visit/
Ensure presence of pharmacist ! after duration of prescription has lapsed.
Avoid dispensing prescription Avoid recommending prescription
medicines without a proper medicines over telephone/ verbally.
prescription. Assist in instilling in the minds of the
Educate the public on good public, seriousness about medicines and
prescription habits. prescriptions.

7 Doctor's handwriting :
At times, patients find it difficult to clearly understand the doctor's handwriting:
the name of the medicine or the instructions about how to use the medicine. It is
important that the patient/care giver clarifies this either with the doctor or the
pharmacist. It is very important to understand the prescription because this will
help the patient use the medicines correctly.
What is to be done
Incomplete prescription - the
In such cases, it is best to talk to the
doctor may have forgotten to write
doctor and clarify. It is wrong to
down the potency/strength or type of
assume that if no potency is written,
dosage form of the medicine.
the minimum potency should be
Indecipherable prescription - Even used.
the pharmacist may not understand Also, do not force the pharmacist to
the doctor's handwriting. make a decision on what potency to
dispense.
8 Dispensing of Ayurvedic, Homoeopathic, Siddha,

Unani medicines:
It is a misconception that these medicines are completely free from side effects.
Since they are not strictly free from side effects, they also need to be used
carefully. Some of these medicines, if not used properly, can also cause harm.
Unfortunately, the laws of our country have not made any attempt to classify
these medicines as prescription and non-prescription medicines. In fact, as per
our laws, besides allopathic medicines, only for the sale of homeopathic
medicines one needs to take a license from the drug control department, and
needs the supervision of a pharmacist for dispensing.
For Ayurvedic, Siddha and Unani medicines, one does not need a license from
the drug control department to sell these medicines. All these medicines can be
purchased by the consumer without the need of a prescription. This is
unfortunately not a correct practice (especially for some medicines which need
to be taken only under medical supervision), because at times, it could be
dangerous.
Cross practice : This is a term used when a doctor of one system of medicine
prescribes medicines of another system. By law, cross practice in our country
is not permitted. However, unfortunately, it takes place quiet rampantly. And it is
just not cross - practice. Even persons with no medical qualification, or bogus
qualifications (QUACKS) practice medicine, prescribe even allopathic
medicines. This is a very dangerous practice!

5 Meet the Pharmacist
Pharmacists represent the 3rd largest healthcare professional group in the world, and
in India today, there are around 10 lakh pharmacists, working in various positions,
applying their unique knowledge and skills, contributing to the health of the nation.
Pharmacists are health care professionals, whose

professional responsibilities include striving to
ensure that people derive maximum benefit from
their medicines. This requires them to keep abreast
of developments and advances in knowledge and
technology related to manufacture and use of
medicines, professional standard requirements,
laws governing pharmacy, etc.
Unfortunately, in the eyes of the public, the role of

the pharmacy profession and its contribution to
health care are often not duly recognized, and many
times even misunderstood. This is possibly because
both public and policy makers believe that pharmacists' role is restricted to merely
buying and selling of medicines (like that of a salesperson in any ordinary shop).
Pharmacists work in a wide variety of health care settings : in the pharmaceutical

industry (carrying out a wide range of activities from R & D to manufacturing to
quality control, packaging, quality assurance, etc), in practice settings (hospital &
community i.e. retail pharmacy), in academics, regulatory affairs, clinical research,
etc.
While, by nature of work/practice, many pharmacists work silently behind the

scenes, some of them, who are in direct contact with patients, represent the face of
the pharmacy profession. The pharmacists who are mainly in direct contact with the
public/patients are the community (retail) pharmacists who work/practice in
pharmacies/medical stores, and hospital pharmacists who work/practice in
hospitals.
In India, pharmacists are obliged to follow the Code of Ethics prescribed by the PCI
(Pharmacy Council of India) and are bound by various laws:
The Drugs And Cosmetic Act(1940) and Rules (1945)
The Pharmacy Act 1948

The Drug Price Control Order 2013
The Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Act 1985 and Rules 1985
The Food Safety and Standards Act and Rules 2011
The Consumer Protection Act 1986
1 Know your pharmacist :

Did you know that?
Your pharmacist is the vital link between you and your doctor in taking
care of your health.
Your pharmacist is much more than a mere medicine-seller.
Your pharmacist is a competent, professionally qualified expert, who can
help you derive maximum benefits from your medicines.
Your pharmacist is the right person to guide you about:

The right way to take your medicines.
The right way to store your medicines.
The DO's and DONT's of your medicines.
The general guidelines/tips to healthy living.
2 Rights of a patient at the pharmacy: YOUR

To have the medicines prescribed by the doctor
RIGHTS
dispensed adequately and with appropriate
instructions.
To be charged the correct price for the medicine/s purchased.
To get satisfactory service at the pharmacy.
To be told in a simple manner how to take the medicines.
To be issued a neat cash memo, complete in all respects.
To be ensured that all medicines are dispensed under the supervision of a
registered pharmacist.
Some pharmacies are quite often very busy. The patients/customers, too, are
under some time constraints. Often, they have already spent long hours at the
doctors clinic, and then are in a hurry to pick up the medicine and go home at the
earliest. One can fix a time with the pharmacist when one could sit with him/her
and get the necessary information about the prescribed medicines.
Smart Ask your pharmacist your medication queries.

Moves Derive maximum benefits from your medication !

6 Care While Purchasing Medicines
In India, medicines are available in any of the following points/locations:
1. Pharmacy (also called as Chemist & Druggist or Medical Store)
generally privately run
2. Govt. Pharmacy (or Dispensary) in the Sub-Centre, PHC, CHC or District
or Tertiary Hospital
3. Private Doctor's Clinic
4. Private hospital
5. Through the internet
Most of the times, however, the medicines are purchased by people from
private pharmacies.
There are some proportions of sub-standard, spurious and counterfeit

medicines in the market today. In order to minimize the chances of coming
across/buying such types of medicines, one must carry out certain checks and
take certain precautions while buying medicines:
Check
OUT Is the pharmacy maintained in a neat, clean and
systematic manner and due care taken of the
medicines?
Is the pharmacy authorized, duly licensed ? Are the
drug licences of the pharmacy duly displayed in public
view? Are they valid ?
Is the Pharmacist present, and are the medicines sold
under his/her supervision?
Consumers must ensure that they carry a prescription when they go to

a pharmacy to buy their supply of prescription medicines.
Check
OUT By law, all prescription medicines need to be
Note sold under the supervision of a Registered
Pharmacist only.

1 Spend some time at the pharmacy :
Many a times, people have to spend long hours waiting at the doctor's clinic.
And very often, they are in a hurry at the pharmacy. Since the pharmacy is
dealing with life saving medicines, it is advisable to be cautious. Therefore :
At the pharmacy, DO NOT BE IN A HURRY.
Do not force the pharmacy personnel to give you the medicines
quickly.they could end up making a mistake in trying to please you.
The pharmacy has to handle the rush, clients of different nature,
prescriptions with difficult handwritings, thousands of medicines,
many with similar names and similar looks and packings. The staff also
have to search for the right medicine, make a correct bill, pack the
medicines and also give instructions for use.
So, it is in your interest that you spend some time at the pharmacy, check
out the medicines you are being dispensed, and discuss your medicines
with the pharmacist you will be taking good advice!
Check
OUT What to check for while receiving the medicines?
Outward appearancesigns of any tampering,
degradation, spoilage.
Check tablets for spoilage, mottling, discoloration,
etc.
Whether the correct medicine (correct brand) is
dispensed as per the prescription?
Are the following mentioned on the label?
Date of Expiry (and that it is not expired!), Batch No.
Name and address of the manufacturer.
Drug Manufacturing Lic. No.
Price.
Trade (Brand) v/s Generic (Pharmacologic)

In our country, brand substitution is not permitted by law so if a particular
brand of drug is prescribed by the doctor, the pharmacy is obliged to give the
same brand.
The reason for this is that, for the same medication, there could be a
difference in the amount of drug released in the blood from two different
brands.

2 Cash Memo / Invoice / Bill :
It is very important that you insist for cash memo for all the medicines you
buy at the pharmacy.
Why it is important to take a cash memo ?

A bill/cash memo is a proof of legal sale of medicines.
The patient can find out whether the batch number, expiry date from the
bill is exactly same as designated on the strip/package, and if they are not
on the part of the strip that is dispensed to them.
The bill is the only proof available to the patient, that a medicine of
particular batch and manufacturer was purchased from that particular
pharmacy, especially in case any defects/complaints are detected.
What the BILL/CASH MEMO should indicate ?

The following particulars must be pre-printed (or printed along with
medicines and patient details in case of a computerized bill) on the cash
memo:
Name, address, and telephone number of the pharmacy.
Serial number of bill.
Drug license numbers.
TIN i.e. Tax Identification Number (if applicable).
The following particulars must be printed/written on the cash memo at

the time of dispensing :
Date.
Name and Address of the patient.
Name and Address of the prescriber.
Name of the product or medicine, quantity, Schedule under which it
falls, name of the manufacturer, batch no., expiry date and the price.
The cash memo must always be signed by the pharmacist under whose
supervision the medicines are dispensed.
What you must ensure before leaving the pharmacy ?

The name, potency and the quantity of medicine tally with that on the
bill.
The Batch No., Expiry date tally with that on the bill.
The package/strip/bottle seal is not tampered with.
When you go home, you can do a thorough check on the above , plus
confirm if you have been charged the right price in the bill.

What to do with the bill ?
Keep the bill at least till you have finished consuming the medicines.
Preferably, keep all bills along with the prescription/s neatly in a file for
future records. Keep this safely.
Please wait to receive a

Note Bill for the medicines you buy..
The Bill is your best protection against
spurious/counterfeit medicines !
DO NOT Tear or Throw away the bills!!

3 Expiry date :
Expiry date is the date after which there is no guarantee that the medicine will
maintain its safety and efficacy/potency.
It is mandatory for an expiry date to be printed on the covering
(Packet/strip/package/satchet/carton/boxes) of medicines. These can be
interpreted as follows :
What the label says Interpretation

EXP DATE : June 2011 Can be used till the last date of June 2011
USE BEFORE : June 2011 Can be used till the last date of May 2011
BEST BEFORE : June 2011 Can be used till the last date of May 2011
Exp Date: 24 months from the date of manufacturing. Can be used till the last date of May 2012
(e.g. If date of manufacturing is June 2010)
Some medicines have shorter expiry periods (9 - 12 months from date of

manufacture), while some may have up to a maximum of 5 years. This varies
with the type of medicine and the dosage form.
Expiry for homoeopathic, ayurvedic medicines:

Till recently, the general concept for expiry date, if none was written on the label,

was to take it as 5 years. This was not a correct concept. Luckily, now it is
mandatory that the date of expiry be written on all ayurvedic medicine also.
This period of expiry varies with the type of dosage form.
4 Buying medicines on the internet :

In today's world of internet, our mail boxes are often flooded by
advertisements of medicines claiming easy accessibility and discounts by
ordering through the internet. In India, there are no licensed internet
pharmacies, and secondly, the products mostly advertised are prescription
products which need to be taken only under medical supervision. Therefore,
purchasing of such medicines on the internet is very risky, and is likely to
cause more harm then good. More often than not, one is likely to end up
buying a cheap imitation of the original product, which, more often than not,
will be spurious or counterfeit !
So, even if you have a prescription, it is much safer to buy it from an

authorized pharmacy rather than the internet. In some developed countries,
there are authorized internet pharmacies from which one can buy medicines.
Presently, in India, there is no law in place for internet pharmacies.
Some other reasons why buying medicines over the

internet is not yet advisable in our country:
Most of the times the medicines you buy on internet are not
been prescribed by a qualified Doctor.
There may not be assurance or checks and controls on the
quality and effectiveness of the medicines supplied.
If there is any problem about the quality or efficacy of the
product, there is nothing you can do, because you will realize
that most of the internet medicine suppliers will never
mention their physical address or contact number (or it will
be incorrect)!!! And therefore, you can not try to take any
legal action for the same.
Smart Buy your Medicines only

Moves from known and reliable sources!

7 Spurious, Sub-standard,
Counterfeit Medicines
Unfortunately, there are black sheep everywhere.
And so also in the medicine market: some manufacturers, some dealers,
some middlemen, and some pharmacies. Our country, too, has some of its share of
medicines which are either spurious, misbranded, or sub-standard.
Although indirectly covered under these definitions, the term Counterfeit is not
yet defined in India, although it is used internationally, including by the W.H.O.
Consumption of such medicines can cause harm to the patients.
1 Spurious Drug (Medicine):

According to the Drugs & Cosmetics Act, a drug is said to be spurious if:
It is an imitation of, or is a substitute for another drug; or resembles another
drug in a manner likely to deceive; or bears upon it, or upon its label or
container the name of another drug (unless it is plainly and conspicuously
marked so as to reveal its true character and its lack of identity with such other
drug); or
The label or container bears the name of an individual or company purporting
to be the manufacturer of the drug, which individual or company is fictitious
or does not exist; or
It has been substituted wholly or in part by another drug or substance; or
If it purports to be the product of a manufacturer, of whom it is not truly a
product.
2 Misbranded drug (Medicine) :-

According to the Drugs & Cosmetics Act, a drug is said to be misbranded :
if it is so coloured, coated, powdered or polished that damage is concealed or
if it is made to appear of better or greater therapeutic value than it really is; or
if it is not labelled in the prescribed manner; or
if its label or container or anything accompanying the drug bears any
statement, design or device which makes any false claim for the drug or
which is false or misleading in any particular way.
3 Counterfeit Drug (Medicine):

According to the W.H.O., a counterfeit drug/medicine, is one which is
deliberately and fraudulently mislabelled with respect to identity and / or source

it may include products with the correct ingredients or with the wrong
ingredients, without active ingredients, with insufficient active ingredients or
with fake packaging .
4 Sub - Standard (or Not-Of-Standard Quality) Drug

(Medicine):
According to the Drugs & Cosmetics Act, a sub-standard medicine is a genuine
medicine produced by an authorized/licensed manufacturer, but which does not
meet quality specifications set for it by national standards.
5 Consequences of spurious / counterfeit medicines:

Many of the times, these medicines are not efficacious and in most of the
reported cases, they are not equivalent in safety, efficacy and quality to their
genuine counterparts. In many cases, they could cause HARM!
The effects of such medicines on our health:

Medicines which may contain harmful substances can cause grievous
harm, disability or death.
Medicines with little or no medicine in them may not cause harm but they
may not be effective either. These could worsen symptoms or even cause
disabilities or death because of delay in proper medication/treatment.
Even when such medicines do not endanger life, they can leave the patient
seriously ill.
Treatment with antibiotics which are ineffective can increase the risk of
surfacing of resistant microorganisms and may have a deleterious effect on
a wide section of the population.
Such medicines also can:

Be a waste of resources spent on purchasing, managing stocks,
transportation and dispensing of medicines with little or no effect or even
cause harm to the patient.
Reduce patients' trust in health professionals and health systems, which are
seen as unable to provide adequate treatment because the medicines are
ineffective or cause side effects.
Unfortunately, because of advances in printing technology and master minds

amongst the counterfeiters, it often becomes very difficult not only for
consumers, but also for the drug control authorities and even the original
manufacturers themselves, to distinguish between genuine and
spurious/counterfeit medicines.

Consumers thus have to play an active role in protecting themselves from such
medicines. They need to be very vigilant when buying and consuming their
medicines, and look out for :
Packing which looks different.
Packing which looks the same but the medicine is other than what is
prescribed.
Price of the medicine is lower than the one at which it is purchased
normally.
If the spelling or name of the medicine is different. e.g.- Vicks as Veecks or
Taxim as Taxem.
Outward appearance of the medicine packagesigns of any tampering,
degradation, spoilage, etc.
Check tablets for spoilage, spotting, discolouration, etc.
A medicine which is not effective.
6 What to do if you suspect such medicines:

Report immediately to the doctor if there are some adverse reactions. If the
doctor says that these reactions are not normal, then either the patient is
allergic to the medicine or it could be spurious. Save the unused medicine
and cash memo and complain to either the manufacturer or the Drug
Control Department.
If the medicine fails to be effective within a specific period, discuss with
your doctor what is to be done.
If there is a grievous reaction or death after consuming the medicine at
home or hospital, then the matter should be immediately reported to the
Drug Control Department for investigation.
If consumers and health care providers are alert and the authorities co-operate,
the illegal trade of spurious drugs can be made ineffective and the culprits can
be nabbed.
Do not buy medicines from the internet. It is not easy to

Smart know which supplier is licensed and reliable. The chances
Moves are very high that you will get dubious/spurious medicines.
Be cautious and very careful of medicines being offered on
discount. You could get medicines which are compromised
for quality.
Avoid buying loose medicine (capsules/tablets) either from
the pharmacy or your doctor. However, if there is no
option, insist that you see the label of the original container
for various details.

8 Storage of Medicines
It is very important that our medicines are stored in the appropriate
storage conditions.
This is essential to:
Maintain their physical integrity.
Maintain their potency/strength.
Prevent their deterioration/ spoilage.
Maintain their quality and safety throughout the shelf life (till the expiry
date).
Prevent formation of toxic substances within the medicines.
Right temperature No assurance that the
If not medicine will retain its
Right humidity maintained potency till the date of expiry
mentioned on the label,
Noexposuretolight/ causing loss of efficacy.
oxygen(air)
Check Different medicines may require different storage

OUT conditions!
Check on the label of each medicine for the same,

and ask your pharmacist in case of any doubts!
1 General tips for storage of medicines :

When you are taking the medicine/s home from the pharmacy :
Ask the pharmacist about any special storage condition requirements.
While taking it home, do not keep the medicine packet in the glove
compartment of the car or scooter dickey, especially in the day time, since it
can get heated up.
If a medicine needs to be kept between 2 - 8C, it is advisable to get it
packed in an ice-pack and take it home at the earliest. At home, quickly
transfer the medicine to a refrigerator (but not to the freezer compartment).
Keep all medicines in their original containers.

Medicine storage at home :
Follow the storage guidelines mentioned on the
medicine package.
Keep all medicines in a dry place, away from direct
sunlight.
Keep the medicines in a cupboard or cabinet,
preferably locked.
Medicines of different members in the house should be
kept in different boxes/container, neatly labeled with
the name of the person. Common medicines can be
kept in a separate box / container.
Medicines for external use should be kept separately.
Keep medicines away from the reach of children and
pets.
Know what the following storage conditions on the label mean:

Label storage conditions What it means
Store in a COOL place. Store at a temperature between 8 - 30C.
Store in a COLD place. Store at a temperature between 2 - 8C (in
Do not freeze. the refrigerator, but not in the freezer
compartment)
Store in a dry place. Do not keep in a place where there is excess
moisture (e.g. kitchen, bathroom). Keep in
the original container.
Store away from light. Keep in the original container. Do not
overexpose to light or sunlight.
If no storage condition is Keep in a cool, dry place, away from
mentioned on the label. exposure to direct sunlight, that is, protect
from moisture, freezing, and excessive heat.
Ask your pharmacist about any specific

Note storage instructions for your medicines.

2 Carrying your medicines while travelling:
Those travelling to other parts of the country need to follow additional tips
for safe storage and use of their medications:
Pack your medicines in a carry-on bag kept close to you.
For your regularly used medicines, carry an extra supply with you in case
your return is delayed. Sometimes, the particular brands of medicines you
are taking may not be available in the place you are travelling to. Or, some
medicines may not be dispensed by pharmacies without a prescription.
Always carry your doctor's prescription (preferably freshly issued) with
you, in case you lose your medicines, or have to purchase additional
quantities. It is a good idea to carry copies of the prescription with the
generic names of the medicines written.
If you have to carry medicines which need storage between 2 8 C, you will
have to carry them with an ice-bag or thermocol box with ice, during transit.
Those travelling out of the country need to follow additional tips for safe
storage of their medications :
Pack your medicines in a carry-on bag instead of a checked-in suitcase.
Carry an extra supply with you in case your return is delayed. In other
countries, the same medicines may not be available, and importantly, in
many countries, prescription medicines are strictly not given by pharmacies
without a prescription!
Always carry your doctor's prescription with you in case asked to produce
the prescription at the airport/customs. Get the prescription freshly issued by
the doctor.
Carry with you extra photocopies of the prescription, and write on them the
generic name/s of the medicines prescribed. Get your doctor or pharmacist
to help you out with this. This can be very useful if you fall sick in the
country you have travelled to, and you have to inform the doctor which
medicines you are currently taking.
Do not store medicines near heat sources e.g. gas

stoves, electrical appliances, or in the kitchen or
bathroom.
Do not store in direct sunlight, e.g. near windows.
Do not store near moist place - e.g. bathroom,
sink, kitchen.

Watch time changes. If you are travelling to a separate time-zone, you may
have to set a separate watch to your usual time so you can remember when to
take any medication.
3 Clearing your medicine cabinet:

At home, one generally ends up with a lot of medicines, many of them unused.
Hence, be sure to look through your medicine cabinet at least once in 6 months:
Get rid of expired (old) medicines and medicines you no longer use.
Never use a medication that has changed color, consistency, or odor,
regardless of the expiration date.
Throw away capsules or tablets that stick together, are harder or softer than
normal, or cracked or chipped.
Check the expiration date each time you take medicines. Throw out and
replace any medications that are out of date.
4 Safe disposal of medicines:

Safe disposal of these unwanted or expired medicines often is a major problem,
as such instructions are not available in most cases. Many medicines, if
disposed off in household garbage bins, can be risky. However, in India, we do
not have any proper systems in place. In many other countries, it is
recommended that medicines should neither be thrown into household garbage,
nor flushed down the toilet, as this may contaminate the environment. In these
countries, pharmacies or specific agencies accept unused/spoilt medicines and
arrange for safe disposal.
Burning of the expired medicines at low temperature or in open containers

results in release of toxic pollutants to the air. Ideally, this should be avoided.
Therefore,
If no instructions are given, throw the medicines in the household trash, but
first take them out of their original containers and mix them with an
undesirable substance, such as used coffee grounds. The medication will be
less appealing to children and pets, and unrecognizable to people who may
intentionally go through your trash.
Put the medicines in a sealable bag, empty can, or other container to prevent
the medication from leaking or breaking out of a garbage bag.
Small quantities of liquid medicines, including antiseptics, can be disposed
off after diluting them by flushing down the toilet.

9 Self Medication
Self medication is the treatment of common health problems with medicines

specially designed for use without medical supervision and approved as safe
& effective for such use (World Self Medication Industry - WSMI).
Self medication has several advantages and disadvantages:

Advantages Disadvantages
1. The number of doctors available is limited. 1. Common man is not trained in diagnosis
Besides, it is impractical that every minor and treatment. And therefore can lead to
ailment be treated only through a doctor. wrong diagnosis and also wrong choice of
Doctors instead can focus on areas where they medicines.
are really needed.
2. People do not always have the time to visit 2. Can thus delay proper diagnosis and
a doctor for every minor ailment. Thus time treatment.
can be saved.
3. It costs to visit a doctor and pay the fees, 3. Can lead to adverse effects.
beside the cost of travel and time spent and
often work hours lost. Costs can be reduced.
4. Wide choice of OTC medicines available.
5. OTC medicines are generally cheaper than
prescription medicines.
6. OTC medicines are relatively safer and of
well established efficacy.
Therefore, self medication is very useful, but it is important that it is done in a

responsible manner where the patient is aware about the exact diagnosis, and
knows which medicine/s (OTC medicine/s) to use and in what exact manner to
take them, in order to treat himself, and then takes the medicine/s in the right
dose and manner.
1 Responsible self medication :

As per the WHO the term responsible use of medicines implies that the
activities, capabilities and existing resources of health system stakeholders
are aligned to ensure patients receive the right medicines at the right time,
use them appropriately, and benefit from them.

Self medication is necessary, however, it is important
Note to take care that it is responsible self medication,
where the patient takes the decision as to which drug
to take and how much, after having background
information about it.
For umpteen reasons, it is not practical to see a doctor for every ache and pain,
itch or fever it would involve higher costs, need more manpower/doctors, lot
of time spent, etc. Therefore, self medication has become a worldwide
accepted practice. And precisely for this reason, the medicines of the OTC
category are available to the public. Many OTC medicines are advertised, and
also promoted and recommended by pharmacies.
Self medication should be considered only in case of minor illnesses, where
intervention of a doctor may not be necessary. However, it is important to
realize from this, that a patient may or should self medicate only when he is
sure about the exact nature/diagnosis of the illness, and has certain basic
information of the medicines he is consuming.
In most developed countries, these OTC medicine labels are patient-friendly,
carrying sufficient information for the patient to make a suitable
choice/decision of the medicine he/she is about to take. It is also mandatory to
have a certain minimum amount of information to be available to the patient to
make these choices. Generally, when it is not practical because of space
constraints to put all such information on medication labels, it is made
mandatory to include PPIs Patient Package Inserts along with the medicine
packet.
Unfortunately, a study of the non-prescription medicines in India reveals that
there is hardly any beneficial information on the label, and most of the times
there is no accompanying information leaflet meant for patient reading.
In such situations, patients could ask the Pharmacist at the retail/community
pharmacy for information and advice about proper use of non-prescription
medicines.
Self medicate only when sure about the exact nature

of illness and about certain basic aspects of medicines.
It is very risky to self medicate with prescription medicines.
As we live longer, work longer, and take a more active role in our
own health care, the need to become better informed about self-
care grows. Information is the best prescription !

How do patients generally know about medicines and self medication ?
OTC medicines are advertised in the media and in the pharmacy.
A friend/family member recommends medicine/s.
A doctor prescribes it once or a few times, and then the patient decides to take
it as and when required.
Patient reads about medicines on the internet.
2 Cautions while self medicating :

Be sure that you are able to diagnose your illness, and that your illness is
minor.
Self medicate ONLY with OTC medicines, and NOT with prescription
medicines.
Be sure you understand what is the correct medicine to be taken for the
particular illness/condition, and understand why you are taking the
medicine in the first place.
Read the label on the OTC medicine and any accompanying leaflet
carefully, to obtain and understand as much information about the
medicine as possible.
Follow the correct dosing instructions on the label. DO NOT exceed the
stated dose!
Follow age limits, if any, on the label.
Do not self medicate for more than 2 or 3 days. If the illness/symptoms
are not alleviated, it is better to consult a doctor!
When giving OTC medicines to children ..

Note Remember that kids aren't just small adults, so don't
estimate the dose based on their size.
If you are not sure of the illness or the dose, please
consult your doctor or pharmacist.
Before you give your child two medicines at the same
time, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
Unfortunately, self medication not only with OTC medicines but

with prescription medicines also is rampant. This is a very
dangerous practice, and needs to be curbed!

10 Understanding your Medicines
REMEMBER : You spend a lot of time and money

Smart in getting the :
Moves
Best Diagnostic report by the Best lab
Best diagnosis by the Best doctor
Best treatment/medicine prescribed
Best medicines bought from the Best pharmacy
BUT ALL WILL BE IN VAIN IF YOU DO NOT
TAKE/CONSUME YOUR MEDICINES PROPERLY!
It is the right of every patient to know various aspects about their illness/disease
and the treatment/medicines that they are prescribed/recommended!
An informed consumer is a wise consumer. An informed consumer has more

chances of following the prescribed course of therapy. The patient should take
active part in his own welfare and treatment.
1 When you visit a doctor :

Write down all your questions before you visit. List the most important
questions first.
Take an up-to-date history'' (or your medical records) with you. Also take a
list of all medicines that you consume. Write down when and how often you
consume your medicine/s.
Tell the doctor about everything you take for your health. E.g. OTC
medicines, herbs, etc.
Tell your doctor about your main health problem first, then discuss the
secondary symptoms.
If you have X-ray films, test results, and medical records, show them to
your doctor.
Check Always check the qualifications of the doctor you visit :

OUT Is he a qualified doctor, having proper qualifications
and registration with the respective State Council and
eligible to practice in his respective system of
medicine?
Look out for the doctor's certificates in his/her clinic !

2 Before you the leave the doctor or pharmacy :
Be sure you understand some basic things about your medicines (whether
prescribed, or whether OTC medicines taken on your own).
1. What is the name of the medication (Brand or Trade Name)

and what are the active ingredients (Generic name/s)?
For e.g.
Trade Name Ingredients/Generic Name Type
Glycomet GP2 tab. Metformin 500 mg + Contains 2 active
Glimiperide 2 mg ingredients (called as FDC-
Fixed Dose Combination)
Crocin tab. Paracetamol 500mg Single ingredient medicine

(Acetaminophen)
Supradyn tab. Contains around 11 vitamins & Multiple ingredient
7 minerals medicine in FDC
2. What is the medication supposed to do? Will it cure or

relieve my symptoms?
For e.g.
Anti-inflammatory medicine (e.g. Ibuprofen) - will relieve/reduce the pain
and inflammation but will not heal the tear or muscle pull (this will heal only
with rest to the body part).
Antibiotics will kill the bacteria and thus cure/get rid of the infection (if the
entire recommended dose is completed).
Asthalin inhaler will dilate the bronchioles and relieve the symptoms
temporarily. It cannot cure asthma.
Anti-diabetic medicines will help to reduce your blood sugar levels, but will
not cure diabetes.
3. WHEN & HOW do I take it?
How many tablets/amount of liquid, how many (and which) times of the day ?
In relation to food whether to take before or after food, and how
much time before or after?
Whether to swallow, or chew, or suck the tablet. Or place it below
the tongue?
For e.g.
Amoxicillin capsulesswallow one capsule three times a day
(every 8 hours) along with a glass of water,
preferably on an empty stomach (at least half or one hour before food or
two hours after food).
Sustained Release tablets are not to be cut, broken, or chewed.
How to use the inhaler? How to use the Insulin injection? one needs to
be told and demonstrated how this is to be done. If incorrectly used/
incorrect technique is used, the medicine may not work effectively.
4. How long should I take it? Can I stop taking it earlier if
I start feeling better?
For e.g.
Antibiotics you should not miss a dose, and should complete the
prescribed course of therapy.
Blood Pressure medications need to be taken everyday without fail and
you must not stop taking unless advised by the doctor. This applies to
most medications taken for chronic diseases like diabetes, cholesterol,
hypertension, etc.
Pain killers these must be taken only as long as the doctor advises! Excess
usage may cause severe side effects.
Anti-anxiety medicines these need to be taken preferably for a short term,
and never longer than what the doctor recommends! Long term usage may
cause habituation; and in such cases, an increasing dose may become
necessary.
5. Should I avoid alcohol, any other medicines, specific foods,

beverages, and/or activities while I am on this medication?
For e.g.
A person who is consuming Metronidazole should not consume alcohol
for at least 1 day before to 2 days after consuming Metronidazole it may
cause a rash or a severe reaction.
If one takes an antihistamine (anti-allergic medicine) and also consumes
alcohol it can cause excessive drowsiness.
Consuming grapefruit juice while on Losartan (a BP medication) can
reduce the effect of Losartan.
When milk or milk products are taken within 2 hours of consuming
Ciprofloxacin (an antibiotic) it can reduce the effect of Ciprofloxacin, as
most of it does not get absorbed.

Antihistamines can cause drowsiness. When taking these, you should not
drive, or operate machinery till you are sure how they affect your motor
skills.
6. What are the most common side effects ? Are there any rare
serious side effects ? What should I do if I experience side effects ?
For e.g.
Doxycycline can cause hypersensitivity reactions on the skin if there is
over exposure to sunlight. Therefore when on this medication, avoid going
out in the sunlight, especially when the sun is strong (e.g. 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.)
or cover your body as much as possible when you are outdoors.
Amoxicillin may cause mild diarrhea. If this is tolerable, please continue
the medication and complete the prescribed course. But, in case the
diarrhea becomes severe, please contact your doctor at the earliest.
Atorvastatin may cause muscle pain in some patients. If the problem
becomes severe, it could lead to kidney problems. Patients taking
Atorvastatin should keep a watch on any muscle pain
and contact the doctor immediately.
Oral Contraceptives, on long term usage, may increase
the risk of breast & cervical cancer/s. Therefore every
woman should be informed about the various side
effects of oral contraceptive before beginning use of the
same.
7. What if I forget to take my medications once or several times?
For e.g.
Antibiotics, Anti-diabetic medication, Oral Contraceptives, etc.
There could be different advice for different medications!
8. Is it safe to become pregnant or breastfeed while taking
this medication?
For e.g.
Women in the reproductive age should take extra precautions not to
become pregnant while they are taking any medications. and consult the
doctor before conceiving.
Breastfeeding women should take medicines only after confirming with
their doctor. (For more details, please refer chapter no. 19)

9. How should I store my medications?
At what temperature should I store them?

Which place in my house is the best to store medicines?
Which of my medicines need refrigeration?
For e.g.
Some eye drops need to be stored in a refrigerator (between 2 - 8C) till
the container is opened. Once it is opened, it should be kept in a cool
place (8-30C) and discarded after 30 days of opening.
Nikorandil tablets should be kept in a refrigerator (between 2 - 8C).
Not all injections are to be kept in a refrigerator.
Once you start using an Insulin pen/cartridge you should not keep it in
the refrigerator.
Individuals who don't take the time to learn about

Smart their medications, both prescribed and over-the-
Moves counter, run the risk of using them improperly in
ways that could damage their health!
Therefore you must become 'Medicine Smart' by

asking questions, keeping track of what medications
are being taken, and building a relationship with
your doctor and pharmacist.
Under the watch of the Drug Control authorities and other pharma
regulatory agencies, great care is taken by the manufacturers to
manufacture/prepare medicines by following Good Manufacturing
Practices and ensuring that good quality medicines are introduced in the market.
All this will be in vain if the medicines are not used properly by the patient.

11 Prescription Abbreviations, Common terms
& Measurements
Very often, doctors write various short
forms, abbreviations, symbols, in the
prescriptions. Some of these have long
standing recognition worldwide, while
some are country specific. Some of them
could be ambiguous and convey different
meanings to different people.
Many a times, a patient may not be able to

interpret or understand them. We have
tried to list out some of the common short
forms, abbreviations and symbols and
explain the exact meaning / interpretation
for the common man to understand.
It is important to make ourselves aware

about abbreviations, so that we ensure
that we take our medicines correctly &
in accurate doses.
1 Time of the day, how many times:
Interpretation / meaning Additional comment/

Short forms
information
OD- omni die or q.d quaque To be taken once a day, at the
die (in latin) same time everyday.
OD or q.d 1 OD - Take one, once a day.
2 OD would mean take 2, The doctor should specify at
once a day. which time of the day.
b.d. or b.i.d.- Bis in die (in latin) One to be taken 2 times a day.
1b.d.- Take one, 2 times a day (Ideally, this would mean

b.d. (b.i.d) 3b.d. - Take three, 2 times a day every 12 hours morning and
night).
t.i.d. - ter in die or t.d.s.ter Ideally, this would mean

dies sumendum (in latin) every 8 hours. The gap between
t.i.d or t.d.s 1 t.d.s. - Take one, 3 times a day two doses should be uniform,
2 t.d.s. - Take two, 3 times a day so as to maintain adequate
blood levels.

q.i.d - quatre in die Ideally, this would mean every
q.i.d 1q.i.d. - Take one, 4 times a day 6 hours
si opus sit - as and when To be taken whenever required.

s.o.s. required / when necessary Ideally, the doctor should
specify the minimum time
period before the next dose can
pro re nata - when needed be taken, and the maximum
p.r.n. (as situation permitted daily dose.
arises)
hora somni - at the time of

1 hs sleeping (at bedtime), or after
dinner
1 in the morning, none in the These are the common ways

x-o-x afternoon, and 1 at night in which doctors in India write
to simplify and make the
patient to understand the
doses to be taken. This is very
x-x-1 1 at night useful, especially because of
the high rates of illiteracy in
the country.
However, this could at times be

o-x-o 1 in the afternoon
confusing, as in some cases 'x'
could mean 'no dose' & in
some cases it could mean
'take one'.
o-o-x 1 at night
0-1-0 1 in the afternoon
1 in the morning, none in the

1-0-1 afternoon and 1 at night
Half in the morning, half in the

- -1 afternoon and 1 at night

2 Common Measurements :
Additional comment /
Short forms Interpretation / meaning
Information
1 tsp= 1 teaspoonful = 5ml Different teaspoons in the
tsp 2 tsp= 2 teaspoonful = 10ml house may be of different
measure (could range even
from 3-6ml).
For children, for potent
medicines like antibiotics,
etc., it is advisable not to
use the household
teaspoon (lesser dose may
be ineffective, while higher
dose may cause side
effects). It is advisable to
use the measuring cup or
measuring spoon which
generally accompanies the
medicine bottle.
1 tbsp = 1 tablespoonful Different household

tbsp 1 tablespoonful = 3 teaspoonfuls tablespoons may give
= 15 ml different measures. This is
okay for measuring non-
2tbsp = 2 tablespoonful = 30ml critical liquids like antacids,
tonics etc. However, for
critical medicines, it is
better to use a measuring
cup or spoon.
1 oz = 1 ounce = 30ml or 30gm =

1 oz 2 tablespoonfuls
e i s 5 ml??
s
i c h o n e of the u r ing cup
W h e a s
e r t o use a m
It is be
t t
i n g s p oon.
ur
a meas

Additional Tips :
Use a measuring cup or spoon which generally accompanies the medicine
bottle -especially for antibiotics, digoxin, steroids, etc
For children, especially in case of antibiotics, steroids etc., the dose to be
administered is often not the figure found on the measuring cup.
Therefore, for measuring quantities like 2.6 ml, 3.4 ml, 1.5 ml, etc. it is
advisable to use a calibrated dropper, or a syringe.
Use a 1 ml calibrated dropper, measure accurately, put in a spoon and give
it to the child (measure out more than once if the dose is more than 1 ml).
Use a disposable syringe to measure the quantity, pour it out into a spoon
or a cup and give it to the child. Since oral syringes are not commonly
available in India, we may use disposable syringes meant for injection
(without using the needle), for measurement.
If the dose is to be measured in drops (generally not the best method), then
one has to use dropper provided along with the same medicine bottle.
Different droppers and different liquids may give different volumes of
drops/doses.
3 Cutting a tablet:
A tablet can be correctly cut into 2 equal
halves if there is a scored line on the tablet.
Otherwise, it is very difficult to do so -
especially for smaller tablets. Some
tablets like sustained release (SR),
controlled release (CR) and coated tablets
ideally should not be cut (unless so specified on
the label by the manufacturer).
Are 2 tablets of 25mg = 1 tablet of 50mg?
Yes, but not if they are sustained release/controlled release/extended release

tablets. E.g. 2 tablets of Retpure XL (extended release) 25mg (is not
equivalent to) 1 tablet of Retpure XL (extended release) 50mg.
The amount of drug released and the blood levels of the two are not likely to be
matching. This could cause variation in effects.

12 Improper Use of Medicines
Medicines have been of great benefit to patients and the community. However,
inappropriate use of these can have significant detrimental consequences
(harmful effects). Many a times, people may not be aware that they are using their
medicines improperly.
Improper use could be due to following various reasons:
a) Non-compliance:
What is compliance? What is non compliance?

Compliance is how much a Noncompliance is when a patient
person obeys medical or health does not take a prescribed
advice given. medicine or does not follow a
particular course of therapy.
Reasons For Non Compliance:

Economic reasons: the patient may not be able to afford the therapy. This
can lead to delay in buying the prescribed medicines, or not buying some of
the medicines or not buying the medicines at all.
Forgetting to take a medicine.
Did not understand how or when to take the medicine: E.g. taking vaginal
tablets orally instead of inserting in the vagina, swallowing inhalation
capsules instead of inhaling the contents, taking cholesterol - reducing
medicines in the morning instead of at night, taking 2 tablets at once instead
of taking one tablet two times a day, etc.
Difficult to administer the dosage form or medication device: for example,
many times a patient may not know how to use asthma inhalers in the
correct manner.
Complicated regimen: Too many medicines may be prescribed at the same
time and each may have to be taken at a different time.
Failure to understand the importance of therapy: Patients know relatively
less about their therapy and this may lead to non compliance.
Not wanting to take the treatment as per the prescription or not taking any
medicine at all: this could be due to several reasons, namely, the patient has
no faith in the doctor, no faith in the system of medicine or is scared of side
effects of the medicines.

COMPLIANCE AIDS :
Many times, a patient has to take many medicines, and each at different times.
It often becomes very difficult for patients, especially the elderly, to remember
and keep track of the same. In such cases, it is a good idea to use one or more of
the following compliance aids:
1. Medicine chart :
2. Pill Box : This is a special box for storing

scheduled doses of one's medications. Pill
boxes are usually made with compartments for
each day of the week. Many of them have
sections for different times of the day (morning,
noon and night). They help the patient and even
the family members to know which medicines
have been consumed and which not, and also
helps to reduce errors on the part of the patient.
This is useful, especially when many medicines
have to be taken at different times of the day.
The elderly find these especially useful.

3. Medicine diary : Sometimes keeping a diary is very useful not only for
the patient but also for the doctor. The diary may be in the form of a book or
even on a computer. You must note the name of the medicine as well as the
date and time of taking each dose of medicine. You can also note side
effects, if any, that you experienced while taking the medicine.
4. Post - it reminders: Post - its can be

conveniently stuck on refrigerator doors,
dressing table mirrors or any other place
frequently viewed. Thus, whenever you see
the post - it, you will be reminded to take
your medication.
b) Improper self medication:

This is when a patient makes his/her own decision to take medicine/s , but
takes the incorrect medicine/s or for the wrong indication/s or in the wrong
doses, etc. This could be mainly because of ignorance, or self medication after
seeing an advertisement, or simply taking a medicine that someone else
suggested.
For e.g.
1. Using antibiotics for viral infections.
2. Using strong painkillers for minor pains.
3. Use of cough suppressants instead of using expectorants.
4. Using corticosteroids for simple allergies or coughs.
People feel that it is easier to self medicate rather than go to visit the doctor
visit to a doctor involves perceived wastage of time, and also paying fees of
the doctor which many feel are unaffordable or not worth it. They often feel
it reasonable/justifiable to take the same medicine they were given last time
by the doctor for a similar illness. The medicine to be used is either lying at
home or can be easily purchased by visiting the nearest pharmacy.
Improper self medication can cause a lot of harm to the patient sometimes
noticeable immediately, and often not. Even children are at risk from parents
who take their own decisions to medicate their children more often based on
past prescriptions/medicines prescribed by the doctor for same/similar
ailments.

This is not at all a good practice. In India, the situation is worse because even
prescription medicines are available easily without a proper prescription
(unfortunately)!
c) Misuse of medicines :
The use of many substances is regulated by law, which makes some
substances illicit or unlawful. In turn, this may result in criminal and other
undesirable activities associated with the supply and use of such substances.
Some medicines are known to be misused. If used in the correct manner, they
can be very useful, but some people use these medicines for recreation /
pleasure/performance enhancement, some use sedatives, which may
possibly become habit forming.
Some drug addicts also use such medicines because sometimes they have
difficulty in getting their illegal drugs due to restrictions and high costs.
Some of the medicines which are commonly misused and abused are :
It is illegal to sell these medicines without a proper prescription. So, if

a pharmacy staff insists on a prescription to dispense such medicines,
it is highly justified in doing so. You must cooperate with the pharmacy
staff because they are doing their duty.
Below are some examples of improper use of some
common medicines :
1. ANTIBIOTICS 2. ORAL CORTICOSTEROIDS

One of the most improperly Often improperly used to
used category of medicines treat allergies, skin
Self medication by patients problems, inflammations,
people tend to use these to coughs, colds, wheezing,
treat coughs, colds, sore asthma, to gain weight, etc.
throats, wounds, etc. Side effects may not occur in
The prescribed course is everyone, and the extent will
often not completed - often vary from person to person,
patient does not take the dose and depends upon which
regularly or stops the dose in
medicine is used & in what
between (often when he/she
doses, and for how long.
starts feeling better).
Some of the side effects
Problem is that the bacteria
which the antibiotic is include gastrointestinal
supposed to kill develop irritation or ulceration,
resistance the same weight gain, muscle
antibiotic then is likely to weakness, etc.
become ineffective in its It could lead to activation of
future usage. diabetes mellitus,
Can cause side effects. osteoporosis, etc.
Both, antibiotics and corticosteroids are

Note actually very valuable tools they are life
saving medications.
However, they have to be used carefully,
judiciously, and only if considered clinically
necessary by the doctor for specific
conditions.

3. CORTICOSTEROIDS FOR LOCAL USE (OINTMENT/LOTION)
For e.g.:
Clobetasol, Hydrocortisone, Betamethasone, Mometasone, Fluticasone,
Beclomethasone, etc.
Corticosteroids applied on the skin can be absorbed into the blood.
Absorption is easier through open skin.
They are not always curative, and on discontinuation, a rebound, and
possibly, worsening of the disease could occur.
They may worsen ulcerated or secondarily infected lesions.
They may change the bacterial flora of the skin.
Not only do people use cream/ointments containing corticosteroids on
their own, but they use ointments containing the combination of
antibiotics, corticosteroids, antifungals, etc. In most cases, combining
corticosteroids with such other medicine is not rational.
People commonly misuse such creams for skin rashes, allergies,
redness, itching, and for almost ANY skin conditions, including
ringworm (fungal), and even wounds! These are wrong and very
harmful practices.
Different corticosteroids have different

Note strengths/potencies; some of them are mild, while
some of them are very potent, and even small
quantities can cause potent effects. All the more
reason to use them very carefully!
Use Corticosteroids Only When Recommended By Your Doctor.

Do Not Use Again, Unless Specifically Informed By The Doctor!
4. BENZODIAZEPINES :
For e.g.:
Alprazolam (Restyl, Alprax, Anxit); Diazepam (Valium, Calmpose),
Lorazepam (Larpose)
People commonly refer to them as sleeping pills.
Benzodiazepines are used for anxiety or as sedatives to assist in sleeping.
They are generally meant for very occasional or short term use (2 to 3
weeks).
By law, they should be made available to the patient only through a proper
prescription.
Some common side effects include drowsiness, reduced alertness and
may lead to falls (especially in elderly).

Long term use of Benzodiazepines can cause psychological and physical
dependence (habit forming), and increasing doses may become necessary.
If one tries to stop using them, withdrawal symptoms will be experienced.
The misuse of benzodiazepines together with other CNS (Central Nervous
System) depressants (e.g. alcohol) places the user at risk for overdose and
death.
5. NON STEROIDAL ANTI INFLAMMATORY DRUGS (NSAIDs) :

For e.g:
Ibuprofen, Diclofenac, Piroxicam, Aceclofenac, etc.
People commonly refer to these as Painkillers
Prescription and OTC analgesics are effective in the treatment and
management of both short and long-term pain and inflammations.
People have got into the habit of taking painkillers for every little ache and
pain.
Medium to long term use can lead to gastrointestinal irritation, discomfort
and/or ulceration.
Long term usage can lead to kidney damage or even heart problems.
6. CODEINE - CONTAINING COUGH SYRUPS :

They are one of the most commonly used and misused amongst medicines.
A couple of brands of these syrups are among the top ten sellers amongst
medicines in India. Many people have become habituated to such
preparations, and misuse them by consuming large quantities.
Codeine acts on the CNS (Central Nervous System) and has pain relieving
as well as cough suppressant action. It is recommended for use in coughs
which are dry and are very irritating (it is not to be used for wet coughs -
these need an expectorant).
Many people do not realize that there are a large variety of cough syrups,
containing different ingredients, and used for a variety of cough related
conditions. Unfortunately, names of a few Codeine - containing syrups are
synonymous in the minds of people as a common remedy for coughs.
By law, they should be made available to the patient only through a proper
prescription.

13 Side Effects of Medicines
Technically speaking, the term side effect is now replaced by ADR (Adverse
Drug Reaction).
What is an ADR ?
Any response to a drug, which is noxious and
unintended, which occurs at doses normally used in
man for prophylaxis, diagnosis, or therapy of disease
or for the modification of physiological function.
- World Health Organisation
However, we can continue to use the term "side-effect" as it is easier for the
common man to relate to or understand.
No medicine can be considered totally safe. Some medicines have more
chances of causing side effects [Very Common side effect means, more than 1
in 10 people taking a medicine will experience a side effect]. On the other side
of the spectrum, some medicines have much lesser chances [Very Rare side
effect means, less than 1 in 10,000 people taking the medicine will experience
a side effect]. However, for the person who gets the side effects from a so called
relatively safe medicine, it is his bad luck!
1 Short term v/s long term

While some side effects may be experienced with a single dose, others may be
experienced with a few doses or on long term use of a medicine.
Some examples of side effects with Some examples of side effects on long
a single dose or short term use: term use:
* Aspirin or anti-inflammatory * Aspirin or anti-inflammatory
medicines can cause gastric medicines, on long term usage, can
irritation, or even gastric cause gastric ulceration or even
bleeding. kidney damage.
* Antihistamines can cause * Long term use of corticosteroid eye
drowsiness. drops can cause cataract.
* Paracetamol may cause * Long term use of oral corticosteroids
nausea or vomiting. can cause peptic ulceration,
osteoporosis, diabetes, etc.

While some side effects may be seen or felt by the patient, some may not be
known to the patient or even to the health care professional until something
drastic happens.
2 Predictable v/s unpredictable

Whilst some side effects are predictable (but may not occur in every
patient), some are unpredictable.
Predictable side effects are an expected extension of known properties of the

medicine on different parts of the body.
For e.g.
Anti cancer medicines causes nausea, vomiting, hair loss.
Amlodipine (used for BP) may cause swelling of the feet.
Enalapril (medicine for BP) may cause dry cough.
Unpredictable side effects are uncommon, but are many times the most
serious potentially life threatening of all side effects.
For e.g.
Life threatening anaphylactic reaction to Penicillin injection.
Steven Johnson's syndrome (a severe skin condition) due to Cefixime
(antibiotic) or various other medicines..
Allergic reaction to ANY medicine in susceptible patients.
3 Minor v/s major

Whilst some side effects could be considered as minor, some medicines can
cause major side effects or disability, hospitalization, or even death.
Some examples of minor side effects:
Antihistamines may cause drowsiness. However, it could be

dangerous if this happens if the person is driving a vehicle.
Any medicine could cause a minor rash in a susceptible patient,

which goes away after stopping use of the same medicine.
Iron preparations may cause constipation, black coloured stools.

Some examples of major side effects:
Penicillin could cause a major allergic reaction in susceptible
patients. This could be life threatening or even cause death.
Steven Johnson's syndrome caused by certain medicines like
allopurinol, Valproate, Levofloxacin, Diclofenac, Fluconazole,
Penicillins, Barbiturates, Sulfonamides, Phenytoin,
Azithromycin etc.
Rhabdomyolysis (breakdown of muscle fibres resulting in the
release of muscle protein contents into the bloodstream) in a
patient who takes Atorvastatin (anticholesterol medicine).
While some people are averse to taking any medicines because they are
worried about side effects, on the other hand, we have people who like to
take medicines on the slightest of pretexts, often leading to rampant and
unnecessary use of medicines.
People must understand that medicines must be taken only when necessary,
in the right dose and for the right time, and in the appropriate manner. They
must, therefore, always consult their health care professional for the right
advice.
Realities of ADRs (side effects to medicines)

Over 2 Million serious ADRs happen yearly.
1, 00,000 DEATHS occur yearly.
ADRs are 4th leading cause of death - ahead of pulmonary disease,
diabetes, AIDS, pneumonia, accidents and automobile deaths.
Expenses due to ADRs are $136 Billion yearly, which is greater than
the total costs of cardiovascular or diabetic care.
ADRs cause 1 out of 5 injuries or deaths per year in hospitalized
patients.
Mean length of stay, cost and mortality for ADR patients are
DOUBLE those of the regular patients.
ADRs thus cause :

Increased health care cost.
Increased rate of mortality and morbidity.
Increased length of hospital stay.
Reduced health outcomes.

Increased incidences of side effects could be due to:
Easy access to OTC and prescription medicines and improper self
medication with these.
Improper prescribing.
Multiple prescribers. More than one doctor prescribing conflicting
medicines.
Polypharmacy (many medicines are prescribed or consumed at the same
time).
Special patient populations like the elderly, children are more prone to
side effects.
Failure to take medicines as advised.
It is a misconception that ayurvedic or herbal medicines or homoeopathic

medicines are totally safe and free from side effects! It is true that they are
relatively safe, but these medicines may also cause side effects in some
patients, if not used in the right manner and dose.
Which medicines are safe ?

Safety is a relative term
No medicine is said to be completely safe.
All medicines can cause side effects in susceptible individuals.
If you are lucky, you may not get any side effect!
If you are unlucky, you may get a side effect.
Doctors cannot always predict which patient may get which side effect.
Some individuals may not experience side effects even when they take
larger doses, while some may get side effects even with the minutest of
doses.
All medicines can give a variety of side effects, but not all side effects are
seen at the same time and in the same individual.
Every occasion when a patient is exposed to a

Note medical product,
we can never be certain what might happen.
Smart
Moves

4 Pharmacovigilance
Pharmacovigilance is the science and actions relating to detection,
evaluation, understanding and prevention of adverse effects or any other
likely medicine related problems.The public have a large role to play in
reporting of any suspected side effects that they experience.
Where should you report?

If your doctor or pharmacist does not have the facility to report your
suspected ADRs, you may report to any of the Pharmacovigilance Centres
in the country - presently there are 60 such centers set up in medical
college hospitals in the country and the government is setting up many
more, to monitor side effects of medicines.
Why should you report side effects to medicines that you experience?
Each of the reports of ADRs received are sent to the National
Pharmacovigilance Centre, which maintains a database of ADRs to
different drugs. This, in turn, helps the Drug Control Department of our
country to make decisions regarding putting extra warning regarding use
of certain drugs, or even withdrawal/banning of drugs.
What should you report/which reactions to report?

You may report all suspected ADRs that you experience, may it be to
allopathic, ayurvedic, siddha, unani, homeopathic medicines, food
supplements, or vitamins/minerals, neutraceuticals (another term for
dietary or nutritional supplements), herbal products, etc. Even if you are
not sure which particular product is the cause of your suspected ADR, you
must still report the ADR. You may report any suspected ADRs no matter
whether they are mild/minor or serious.
How do you report?

The person who experienced the suspected ADR must report to his doctor
or pharmacist, or go to the Pharmacovigilance Centre and report the
reaction (unless it is a child, wherein the guardian can report).
What information will you have to provide?

Your age, sex, suspected reaction, date of event starting and ending,
description of the problem, name of the product/s being taken, doses
taken, dates of therapy, etc.
Only your initials are required to be written on the reporting form. The
data entered is kept strictly confidential. The reporting is voluntary and
there is no compulsion for you to report. However, in public interest, it is
important that you report !
For more details, visit www.cdsco.nic.in
14 Drug Interactions
Drug Interactions can be of following types :
A) Drug - Drug Interactions :
Two or more medicines/drugs, which we consume, may interact with each other
in our body, causing either a beneficial effect, or reduced effect, harmful effect, or
no significant difference in effect.
Harmful effects: Harmful effects are broadly classified as minor, moderate and
major. Below are some examples:
Minor Moderate Major

Alcohol + Aspirin + Warfarin Digoxin + Verapamil
Antihistamines can can increase the risk of can lead to increased
cause excessive bleeding. blood level of Digoxin
drowsiness. leading to toxicity.
Thiazide type Diuretics + Theophylline + Clonidine + Tricyclic
NSAIDs decreased Ciprofloxacin Antidepressants
hypertensive and may increase the blood Can lead to possibly life
diuretic effects. level of Theophylline threatening elevation in
leading to toxicity. blood pressure.
Beneficial effects Reduced effects
Oral Contraceptives : Ciprofloxacin + Antacids =

Estrogen + Progesterone reduced absorption of
are combined to give Ciprofloxacin.
better contraceptive Rifampicin + Oral Contraceptives
effects. (OCs) = reduced effect of OCs
Septran this could lead to pregnancy.
(Sulphamethoxazole + Enteric coated Omeprazole +
Trimethoprim) these 2 antacids = will cause the enteric
medicines, if given coating to disrupt before hand, and
t o g e t h e r, a r e m o r e the efficacy of Omeprazole will be
effective in getting rid of lost.
the bacterial infections.

It is not true that when 2 or more medicines are taken together, they will
always cause drug-drug interactions. However, more the number of
medicines a patient consumes during the same period, higher are the
risks/chances of drug-drug interactions occuring. Therefore, to prevent or
reduce the chances of drug interactions, prescribers must prescribe only the
minimum required medicines.
For the same reason, if a person is already taking some medicines, he should
not self-medicate with other medicines without consulting the doctor or
pharmacist.
By taking a few simple steps, you can reduce the chances/risk of drug
interactions:
Tell all of the doctors and pharmacists you visit about all the
prescription and OTC medications you use. Be sure to include those
you take every day as well as those you use only once in a while. Also,
include vitamins or herbal products that you might be taking. This will
help your pharmacist and doctor to spot possible drug interactions.
If you are already taking medicine/s, take the advice of your doctor/
pharmacist before you consume any other medicine/s including
prescription or OTC medicines (including ayurvedic medicines). Your
doctor or pharmacist will help you choose the medicine that will not
interact with the medicines you are currently taking.
Take your prescribed medicines as per doctor's instructions.
B) Drug Food Interactions :

Absorption and the effect of some medicines could be affected by presence
of food in the stomach and also the type of food we eat. This could lead to
beneficial effects, reduced effects or harmful effects.
Beneficial effects : Reduced effects : Harmful effect :

The absorption of The absorption of Erythromycin, if
Griseofulvin (an antibiotics like Ampicillin, taken along with
antifungal antibiotic) is Ciprofloxacin, is reduced grapefruit juice, can
increased in the presence if taken within 2 hours of cause irregular
of food (especially fatty heart beats.
foods). food.

Thus, some foods may affect the way in which the body handles medicines
and therefore have the potential to either increase or decrease a drug's
therapeutic effect or cause side effects. One needs to know about this before
one starts to take medicines. Generally your doctor or pharmacist will
inform you about this, but in case they do not, please ask them!
1 Before Or After Food?
Q. Should medicines be taken after or before food?
Ans. The answer is different for different medicines..
MISCONCEPTION:
IT IS A COMMON MISCONCEPTION THAT ALL
MEDICINES NEED TO BE TAKEN ON FULL STOMACH !
Some medicines need to be taken on full stomach, while some may need to
be taken on an empty stomach, for various reasons .
Presence of food may either delay, reduce, increase or may not affect drug
absorption
For e.g.:
Delayed Decreased Increased Unaffected

Aspirin Penicillin Griseofulvin Methyldopa
Paracetamol Erythromycin Diazepam Propylthio-
-
Diclofenac Tetracycline Water soluble uracil
Digoxin Iron vitamins
FULL STOMACH V/s EMPTY STOMACH :

Few reasons why some medicines need to be taken on an empty stomach:
Reason Examples
Presence of food reduces absorption. Ciprofloxacin, Azithromycin,

Azithromycin
Presence of food may lead to incomplete Thyroxine
or variable absorption
Presence of food may disrupt the enteric Enteric coated tablets
coating of tablet/granules in the capsule,
and expose the drug to the acidic Omeprazole and Pantoprazole
environment of the stomach, which can capsule/tablet.
degrade the drug.
To give sufficient time for another Anti vomiting medicines e.g.

medicine to start acting, to prevent Domperidone, Promethazine (generally
vomitting. given hour before food, before
giving a medicine, or beginning of a
journey).
Some reasons why some medicines need to be consumed on a full stomach:
Reasons Examples
The medicine can cause stomach Anti inflammatory medicines,

irritation/upset, acidity, nausea Corticosteroids, Allupurinol,
vomiting, etc. Doxycyline, etc.
The medicine is absorbed better in Griseofulvin, Fluconazole, Fat
presence of food (especially soluble vitamins A, D & K.
fatty foods).
At times when a medicine cannot be taken by the patient on a full stomach,

the medicine should be taken at least after a small snack. In extreme cases,
where even a snack is not possible and the medicine has to be taken, it should
be taken along with 2-3 glasses of water (but it is better to confirm this with
the doctor or pharmacist, as it may vary from medicine to medicine).

THUMB RULE
Drugs are better absorbed under fasting conditions and
presence of food delays or reduces it.
Food does not significantly affect the absorption of a drug
taken 1hour or more before meals and 2 hours or more after
meals.
2 Fluids
It is best to take medicines with WATER.
It is better to have medicines with cool water to avoid heat-labile drugs
from being destroyed.
Milk can affect the absorption of some drugs, e.g. Tetracycline.
Fruit juices may decrease the effectiveness of acid-labile drugs like
Penicillin.
Tea might decrease the absorption of certain medicines, e.g. Iron.
3 Times of the day

Besides relation to food, certain drugs have to be taken at certain times of
the day for better effect.
For e.g.:
Diuretics are to be taken preferably in the morning to minimize the
effect of increased frequency of urination during the night and a
disturbed sleep.
Simvastatin - To be taken at night after dinner. It works better when
synthesis of cholesterol is maximum - i.e. during the night.
Clonidine HCl - To be taken at bedtime. To ensure overnight control of
blood pressure and reduce daytime drowsiness.
Alendronate tablet should be taken only in the morning. Swallow a
tablet with a full glass of water on an empty stomach. Do not lie down
or eat anything for at least 30-60 minutes after swallowing the tablet.
SO, THE NEXT TIME YOU ARE FACED WITH A DILEMMA

WHETHER TO TAKE A MEDICINE BEFORE OR AFTER FOOD
ASK YOUR PHARMACIST!!

15 Advertisements of Medicines
The public must be cautious of the various advertisements appearing in various
sections of the media. Advertisements for OTC medicines are generally
permitted by law. However, some of these advertisements make tall claims for
cures. As per the Drugs & Magic Remedies Act & Rules, advertisements of
claims for cures for certain illnesses/diseases are prohibited. However, the law
has certain loopholes, and secondly, the implementation of these laws is not
proper in our country. As a result of this, advertisements for such products are
quite rampant, and unfortunately, people get misled/carried away by these, are
tempted to try out these products, and are often fooled and/or harmed.
Generally, a large number of these advertisements and claims are for so called
ayurvedic products. Taking advantage of the misconception amongst people that
ayurvedic medicines are safe, the advertisers play on the psyche of the people.
Often, we see advertisements for the following:

Treatment/cure of diabetes Hair loss/baldness
Increasing sexual prowess/pleasures Increasing height
Increasing vitality Slimming, weight loss
Increasing memory Fairness of skin
Another problem is that, at times, the manufacturers of these products may put in
them certain modern medicines, and get away with it. Such cases are noticed
only when someone complains / or someone happens to get it tested in the
laboratories.
Advertisement of modern drugs is also controlled by Schedule J of Rule 106

of Drugs and Cosmetics Rule.
Caution:
First of all, it is advisable not to fall for such advertisements. Secondly,
following things may be considered/thought of, before making a decision as to
whether to use a medicine or not:
What is the background of the company?

Is the advertisement making tall claims? Are these reliable and reasonable
claims? Are they scientifically correct?
Are there any authentic studies to prove the effectiveness of the claims
made?
Is the medicine reasonably priced?
The next step is to discuss with your doctor or pharmacist whether the claims
made in the advertisements could be true.
Another thing to consider is that, if you are already taking so many medicines
(generally allopathic) for a current illnesses, will the new medicine interact
with the existing medicines and cause some problems? We hardly have any
data or studies in India, in which it has been proved that there is no problem in
taking such medicines along with allopathic medicines. Therefore, if, even
then, you choose to try out such medicines, it is at your own risk.
Have a look at the advertisement given by the Government of India,

to alert people against misleading advertisements :

16 Rational Use of Medicines
The concept of Essential medicines was first introduced by the WHO in the
1970s. Essential Medicines are those that satisfy the priority health care
needs of the population. They are selected with due regard to public health
relevance, evidence of efficacy and safety, and comparative cost-
effectiveness.
Essential medicines are intended to be available within the context of

functioning health systems at all times in adequate amounts, in the appropriate
dosage forms, with assured quality and adequate information, and at a price
the individual and the community can afford.
The Essential Medicines Concept

'Selecting a limited range of medicines to improve access to health care and
quality of health care'. The implementation of the concept of essential
medicines is intended to be flexible and adaptable to many different situations.
1 WHO Model List of Essential Medicines

The WHO Model List of Essential Medicines is a list of around 350 medicines.
The WHO Model List includes treatment options for most of the common
conditions and illnesses. The list is based on evaluation of the best available
evidence.
The WHO Model List of Essential Medicine is a useful reference derived from
the consensus of recognized international experts and updated every 2 years
by the Expert Committee for the Selection and Use of Essential Medicines,
using a transparent, evidence-based process. The medicines that appear on
this list are recognized as safe, efficacious and cost effective.
Essential medicines are listed by their International Non-proprietary Name

(INN) or generic name, without specifying a manufacturer. In 2007, the first
ever WHO Model List of Essential Medicines for Children was developed and
published.
2 Rational use of medicines

As per WHO, rational use of medicines requires that "patients receive
medications appropriate to their clinical needs, in doses that meet their own
individual requirements, for an adequate period of time and at the lowest cost
to them and their community".
The aim of any medicines management system is to deliver the right
medicine to the patients who need the medicine. The steps of selection,
procurement and distribution are necessary precursors to the rational use of
medicines.
3 Irrational use of medicines

Irrational use of medicine is a major public health problem worldwide. The
W.H.O. estimated that more than half of all medicines are prescribed,
dispensed or sold inappropriately, and that half of all patients fail to take
them correctly. Thus, the prescriber, dispenser, and the user could be
responsible for irrational use of medicines.
Irrational uses of medicines include :

Medicine/s is/are prescribed where none
is/are needed.
There is failure to prescribe in
accordance with clinical guidelines.
Medicines are not prescribed
according to standard treatment
guidelines, or ineffective or unsafe
medicines are prescribed.
Inappropriate use of antimicrobials, often
in inadequate dosage, for non-bacterial infection.
Use of too many medicines by the patient (polypharmacy).
Effective and easily available medicines are underused.
Costly medicines are used where cheaper, equally effective medicines
are available.
Use of injections when a oral formulation would be more appropriate.
Prescribed medicines are used incorrectly or dosing regimen not
adhered to.
Inappropriate self medication, often of prescription medicines.
Irrational use of medicines has an adverse impact on the outcome of therapy

and cost, and may cause adverse reaction or negative psychological
impacts.
The overuse, underuse or misuse of medicines results in wastage of scarce
resources and widespread health hazards.

Irrational use of medicines thus leads to:
Ineffective and unsafe treatment.
Exacerbation or prolongation of illness.
Distress and harm to patient, adverse effects.
Increase in the cost of treatment.
Beside policy changes, rational use of medicines can be promoted amongst

the public by:
Education of public in appropriate and rational use of medicines.
Mass awareness campaigns through lectures, media, talks and
sessions, patient information leaflets, booklets, etc.
Education on these aspects, in schools and colleges.
Education of women on these aspects.
4 Medication Errors :
A medication error is any error that occurs with medication therapy. We all
accept that to err is human, but when it comes to medication, the
consequences can often be drastic! Medication errors can occur at the level
of the doctor, pharmacy/pharmacist, nurse, or the patient.
There are innumerable reasons for medication errors at these various levels,
and is a cause for serious concern. We do not have proper statistics in India,
but have a look at the statistics in the U.S.A. :
More than 7, 00,000 patients are victims of medication errors every year.
More than 50,000 Americans die each year as a result of a medical error.
Medication errors are the 8th leading cause of death among Americans.
2% of hospital admissions were due to medication errors.
4% of medication error related injury resulted in prolonged hospital stay.
14% of injuries were serious or fatal.
69% of errors were preventable.
Medical errors carry a high financial cost to America - $37.6 billion each
year.
The problem could be worse in India considering the various inherent

factors :
Large population and high illiteracy rates.
Shortage of health providers.
Practice of medicine by unqualified persons.
More than 1lakh brands in our country, many with similar sounding
names.
Lack of proper information about medicines and their usage.

17 Medicines and Children
Children are not miniature adults. So the concept of giving 'half' the dose of the
adult to the child is totally wrong and dangerous.
In the children, the organs are still developing and some of the metabolic
activities like enzyme function, etc., may be slow, while some may be faster
than adults. In children, the body water content is higher, while the protein
content is lower. Children thus may give a different response to medicines than
adults. Secondly, handling of medicines by the body will further differ
depending on the age and weight of the child.
Children thus are at a higher risk for toxicities if the dose is higher, or poor
clinical response if the dose is suboptimal (lesser than that required).
Paediatric patients thus are unique in many ways:
They require a dose which depends on their body weight, i.e dose per kg of
body weight.
They need special dosage forms e.g. dispersible tablets, palatable syrups,
etc.
Children are often prone to sickness or illnesses, and the fact that children
just don't like medicines, makes parents more worried!
There is a need to be more careful with children, since they might not be able to
clearly express what they are going through. Secondly, parents have to take up
the responsibility of keeping in mind the dosing of the medicines and keep a
track of the right time to administer the medicines as per the doctor's advice.
Right since 1962, worldwide, it has become mandatory to test any medicine for
both efficacy and safety before the drug control authorities can approve it for
use in paediatric patients.
1 Safe Medication for Children

Make sure all the prescriptions, reports, x-rays, etc, of the child are filed
together in chronological order in a neat file and shown each time you visit
a doctor this will give the doctor a complete picture of the child's medical
history. These records will also prove very useful in the future, to detect
allergies, drug resistance, or to treat a recurring condition.
Discuss with the doctor or pharmacist, for what purpose/s the different

medicines are given, and understand when, how and how much to give to the
child.
Double check the prescription before administering the medicine, so as to
confirm that you are giving the right one.
Administer the medicine to the child carefully. Follow doctor's
instructions strictly. If you are not sure of the instructions, or the
medicine, or the dose, DO NOT GIVE IT; instead, call up the doctor or
your pharmacist and seek their advise.
If a tablet has been prescribed, confirm with the pharmacist whether the
tablet is dispersible or has to be swallowed whole. Most of the time,
doctors prescribe dispersible tablets (DT) for children. If DT is not
available, or if tablets to be swallowed are prescribed and the child has
difficulty swallowing tablets, ask the doctor if liquid preparations could
be prescribed. Liquids are swallowed more easily than tablets.
It is convenient and accurate to use the measures that accompany the
liquid preparations (droppers/measuring cups/measuring spoons). DO
NOT use teaspoons from home.
Measure out the accurate dose carefully from the bottle, using such
measuring devices. It is important to adhere to the prescribed dosage in
children because, overuse (unnecessary extra intake could lead to side
effects) and underuse (lesser dose intake is ineffective for treatment) both
could be dangerous.
Note down any allergies or unusual reactions to any medicine, that you
notice.
Make a note of any OTC medicines that the child might have been given
for any minor illness or any symptoms.
Check Many a times, children need more of your love,

OUT presence, and attention. Sometimes,
that is the best and only medicine they need!
DO NOT SEND CHILDREN TO THE PHARMACY

TO BUY YOUR MEDICINES..
IT IS NOT A GOOD PRACTICE !

Some Dos and Don'ts
Dos.
1. Keep all medicines safely away and out of reach of children. Even if
you have to just'' go to the next room and come back, do not leave
your medicines lying around. Children, at times, are lightening fast!
2. Tablets of attractive colours, or flavored syrups, might catch the
attention of children, and most children want to taste whatever
looks attractive, since toys, eatables or medicines are all the same for
them. Therefore, the instruction 'Keep away from sight or reach of
children'.
3. Tell children that medicines are taken only when one is not well, and
to give relief from the suffering.
Don'ts.
1. Do not consume medicines in front of children.
Children are like monkeys; they like to imitate
their elders, and can end up consuming medicines
when you are not around.
2. Do not try to convince children that medicines are sweet and
like chocolates. You never know, they could drive you mad
asking for them again and again!
3. Do not give medicines prescribed for you to your children, even
if you feel you are giving part of the dose.
4. Same symptoms might recur, but could indicate a different
diseases. Do not use old prescriptions or earlier prescribed
medicines for your child for the present condition/similar
symptom,
5. Do not halve an adult dose and administer to children. SOME
MEDICINES ARE JUST NOT MEANT FOR CHILDREN !!!
6. Do not get carried away by advertisements of medicines. Give
medicines to your child ONLY after confirming with your
physician or pharmacist.

Aspirin : Aspirin (Acetylsalicylic acid) should NOT be given to children
below 12 years for minor illnesses like fever, pain. This is because it could
cause Reye's syndrome (a nervous system disorder) in some children. It may
be used in certain major illnesses like juvenile arthritis, only on the advice of a
doctor.
Note Before the child is given any OTC medicine,

always check that it does not contain aspirin.
Mefenamic acid, Ibuprofen : These are prescription medicines. So, these

should be given to your child only if recommended by the doctor. It is
advisable not to keep giving them each time the child has fever, unless the
doctor specifies. These medicines could cause side effects.
A safer alternative for pain and fever would be Paracetamol. This is an OTC
medicine, and can be kept handy at home for use whenever your child has
fever. You should ask your doctor what dose is to be given, because the dose
will change as per the weight of the child. Do not use Paracetamol on your
own for more than a couple of days or if the fever runs very high.
Nimesulide : This has always been a controversial medicine. It has never

been approved for use in most developed countries because of its potential
liver toxicity. It was very commonly used in children in India for fever and
pain. It has now been banned for paediatric use by the Drug Control
authorities with effect from 10th February 2011.
Anti-diarrhoeals : According to the WHO, most anti-diarrhoeal medicines

should never be used in ordinary or viral diarrhoea, as none have proven
practical value and some are dangerous (The Government of India, many
years ago has banned the marketing of medicines like Kaolin, Pectin, oral
Streptomycin, and also the paediatric formulations of Loperamide ,
Diphenoxylate, etc.)
Diarrhoea is one of the leading causes of childhood deaths. Diarrhoea

aggravates malnutrition and allows other diseases to invade the child.
Sufficient breastfeeding during and after diarrhoea, corrective measures for
prevention and treatment of dehydration, are the only ways to prevent
childhood death due to diarrhoea. ORS (Electral, Electrobion etc.), or a
simple home alternative, i.e. a pinch of salt plus a spoonful of sugar in a glass
of water, is recommended to prevent and treatdehydration due to body water

and salt losses. Always keep a few sachets of ORS in your medicine cabinet at
home, and give the solution to your child in any type of diarrhoea. If the
diarrhoea is because of parasites, e.g amoebic or bacterial infection e.g
Shigella , then the doctor will decide which antibiotic or anti-amoebic is to be
prescribed. It is not advisable to use such antibiotics, anti-amoebics or a
combination of the two, on your own, for your child, just because the doctor
had prescribed them the previous time. If the diarrhoea is because of viral
infection, it is likely to limit itself within a couple of days, and ORS is the only
remedy which needs to be given.
Keep medicines out of reach of children

.and out of sight too!!
Tablets of attractive colours or tasty flavoured
syrups might catch the attention of children..
toys, medicines or eatables are all the same
to them !!
Children are like monkeys

Keep medicines away and out of sight from them.
Do not consume medicines in front of children.

18 Medicines and The Elderly
The elderly are generally defined as those who have attained an age of 60 and
above.
The elderly generally :
have started living longer (in today's age, with the advancement in science
and healthcare delivery),
have more health problems,
and therefore need to take more medicines,
and are likely to get more side effects (because their body organs,
metabolisms and detoxifying mechanisms have slowed down with age),
sustain more deaths from improper use of medicines.
Following are some reasons for possible improper use of medicines in the elderly.
Problem Consequences
Eyesight problems
Hearing
Arthritis in the hands, tremor,

shivering hands
Memory

Safe Medication Usage for the Aged :
Since the elderly have difficulties, the best one can do for them, is to keep a
watch, and if necessary, assist them in taking their medications the right
medicines, at the right time and in the right manner.
One must remember :

The elderly may require modifications in their dose (generally lower
doses than adults).
In certain cases, the same dose as that of an adult could be an overdose and
increase the risk of side effects in the elderly.
In certain cases, the medicine may not work as efficiently, because the
body system does not give it enough support to do so.
If the patient is already on medications, it is better he consults his doctor
before taking any other medicine be it an OTC medicine or ayurvedic or
herbal medicine, as it could increase the chances of drug interactions, and
thus, side effects.
Thus, self medication is to be done very

judiciously or avoided totally.
Medicines And
Fireworks
Prescription medicines are
like fireworks
They are not to be fooled around with!
A medicine that is safe and useful for you,
can be harmful to someone else!

19 Medicines during Pregnancy & Lactation
1 Medicines During Pregnancy :
One needs to be extra careful with medicines in pregnancy. Some medicines
(even OTC ones) can harm the foetus/baby, because they can pass through
the mother's placenta. The alarm for this was raised in 1962, when hundreds
of children born to mothers who took the medicine Thalidomide for
anxiety during their pregnancy, were born with deformities of limbs, heart
defects, etc. From then on, worldwide, there has been a lot of caution and
only those medicines for which there is sufficient proof of safety in
pregnancy, are recommended. Therefore, during pregnancy, only medicines
recommended by the doctor should be taken. If the pregnant woman falls ill
say an infection or pain, severe constipation or some other illness, and it
becomes a must to prescribe a medicine, the doctor will take a decision as to
which medicine should be used (by comparing the risk v/s the benefits for
the mother and baby).
If you are pregnant and visiting ANY other doctor/pharmacist or nurse

(whether it is dentist or a ayurvedic or a homoeopathic doctor) you should
inform the doctor about the pregnancy, and at what stage it is.
Even a non-pregnant but sexually active female should take extra

precautions when she is taking any medicines, NOT to become pregnant
during that period.
WHEN YOU ARE PREGNANT DO NOT TAKE MEDICINES

(WHETHER IT IS ALLOPATHIC/ HERBAL/ AYURVEDIC /
HOMOEOPATHIC), WITHOUT ASKING YOUR DOCTOR.
Below are few examples of medicines which could cause harm to

the foetus if used in pregnancy:
Drug What harm it could do to foetus
Warfarin Retarded growth; defects of
limbs, eyes, central nervous
system
Corticosteroids Cleft palate and congenital
cataract (rare)
Androgens Masculinisation in female
Oestrogens Testicular atrophy in male

Some tips on medicines during pregnancy:
Whether a medicine is safe or not depends not only on the medicine,

but also upon the trimester during which it is taken. Some medicines
may be dangerous to take during the 1st trimester but safer in the second
or third or vice versa.
If you want to take ANY medicines while you are pregnant, weigh the
risks and benefits with your doctor.
Consult your doctor whether to continue taking medications for
chronic illnesses like hypertension, epilepsy, diabetes, etc. when you
become pregnant. Do not stop taking these medicines on your own
since untreated illnesses could have harmful effects on your
pregnancy.
Pharmaceutical companies that develop medicines rarely perform
trials or actual studies of their medicines on pregnant women because
of ethical reasons. Therefore, only a few medicines are actually
licensed for use during pregnancy.
Keep in mind that other substances like caffeine, vitamins, and herbal
teas and remedies can also affect the growing foetus.
2 Medicines During Lactation

Medicines taken by a lactating mother may pass on to the baby through her
milk. Some medicines could be safely used, while some may harm the baby
(some may cause minor harm, others major). Therefore, a lactating mother:
Should take only those medicines which are specified by the doctor
(including OTC/ ayurvedic/homoeopathic medicines).
Should inform any doctor, pharmacist or nurse she visits, that she is
breastfeeding.
If, in certain cases, prescribing a medicine to the breastfeeding mother

becomes inevitable, the doctor will assess the benefits v/s the risk for the
mother and baby, and then decide which medicine is to be prescribed. Some
medicines may not cause harm to the baby. If a medicine could cause harm to
the baby, if the mother breastfeeds while on the medication, the doctor may
inform the mother not to breastfeed while the medication is being used.

Examples of some medicines which could harm the baby being breastfed:
Medicines Possible harm to baby
Aspirin Haemolysis, prolonged

bleeding time and
metabolic acidosis on long
term therapy
Antihistamine May make the baby drowsiness,

sleepiness
Diazepam Lethargy, drowsiness, and

weight loss
Ciprofloxacin Risk of permanent injury to

the musculoskeletal system
Some tips on medicines for lactating mothers:
Tell your doctor clearly, that you are a lactating mother, so that he can
take this into account while prescribing medicine that is possibly harmful
for the baby.
Breastmilk should not be given to the baby, as long as any medicine with
a potential to harm the baby is being given to the mother.
Mothers who must take daily medication for conditions such as epilepsy,
diabetes, or high blood pressure, may be able to breastfeed. But they
should first consult with the child's paediatrician.
To minimize baby's exposure to medicines, the doctor may advise the
mother to take the medicine just after breastfeeding, or after the child
sleeps.
Avoid caffeine and alcohol. Both pass into breastmilk. Caffeine can
make your baby irritable and sleepless.

20 Various Dosage Forms
Need for dosage forms :
Medicines cannot be administered as such in their original form
(powder/liquid), either because the quantities are too less, their taste is
revolting, it is difficult to administer it in this form, or the drug may be
destroyed if taken in this form. They are therefore formulated into
various dosage forms for easy consumption and convenience. At times,
different dosage forms may be needed for different purposes or routes of
entry/administration into the body.
A dosage form relates to a particular formulation consisting of the drug

substance and compounds with no medicinal activity, also known as
pharmaceutical ingredients or inactive ingredients.
Dosage form = Active ingredient (Drug) + Inactive ingredients
There is a wide range of inactive pharmaceutical ingredients used in

various dosage forms, all of which have a particular action on the drug
substance, such as solubilising, suspending, diluting, emulsifying,
preserving, etc. and which assist in taking the medicine to its site of
action in the body.
ORAL DOSAGE FORMS

The oral route (swallowed through the mouth) is the most convenient and
widely used route of administration of medicines. While very few of the
medicines may be absorbed through the stomach, majority are absorbed
through the small intestine and thus go into the blood stream and then to the
site of action in the body.
Types of oral dosage forms:

Tablets
Capsules
Lozenges
Oral liquids

TABLETS
Type of tablet Some characteristics Some important

information and tips
CONVENTIONAL Uncoated tablets, usually Do not take while lying
TABLET round, capsule shaped, down.
oval, oblong, bevel- Swallow the whole tablet
with a glass of water,
edged, flat, etc. preferably in a sitting
position.
FILM COATED Thinly coated to give A tablet may be cut /
TABLET aesthetic look or to mask broken / powdered only if
the bitter taste, or to protect the doctor or pharmacist
ingredients inside the advices.
tablet.
SUGAR COATED Coated to give aesthetic
TABLET look or to mask the bitter
taste or to protect the
ingredients inside the
tablet. The coat is thicker,
containing syrup.
SUSTAINED Tablet specially coated to Swallow whole with a

RELEASE (SR) provide prolonged action. glass of water.
TABLET The drug is slowly released Strictly do not break, cut,
Also called as CR from it in the gastrointestinal chew or crush the tablet.
(Controlled tract, from where, it gets This will cause it to lose its
Release), SR (Slow absorbed into the blood. potency, or release too
Release), TR much drug at once, or
(Timed Release), irritate the stomach. Some
ER (Extended tablets may be permitted
Release) etc. to be broken into 2 along a
marked line (and if so,
the manufacturer will

write on the label that it
can be broken into 2).
ENTERIC Coated with special material, Swallow whole with a

COATED which disintegrates only in glass of water.
the alkaline medium of the Strictly do not break, cut,
intestines, not in the acidic chew or crush the tablet.
environment of the stomach. This will cause it to lose
The medicine is thus its potency, or release too
r e l eas e d i n t h e s m a l l much drug at once, or
intestine. irritate the stomach.
BI-LAYERED Some tablets may be
Tablet with two layers
TABLET permitted to be broken
compressed one above the
into 2 along a marked line
other, of different colours,
(and if so, the
each containing different
drug/s; generally, one of manufacturer will write
them containing the drug in on the label that it can be
sustained release form. broken into two).
DISPERSIBLE Uncoated tablet which Do not swallow whole.

TABLET (DT) disperses in water. Disperse the tablet in about
5ml of water (in a spoon or
measuring cup). Swallow
the dispersion or suspension.
MOUTH DISSOLVING Tablet is to be kept in the Do not swallow whole.

TABLET (MD) mouth and dissolved in the Dissolve slowly in the
oral cavity. mouth and then swallow
the dissolved drug with
saliva.
SUB-LINGUAL Tablet is to be kept beneath Keep the tablet below the
TABLET the tongue so that the drug is tongue. Do not bite/chew
released here and goes or swallow the tablet. Do
directly into blood not spit.
circulation.

SCORED TABLET Tablets with break line, so as If necessary, can be neatly
(SINGLE/DOUBLE) to break in 2 halves or one- cut/broken into 2 halves
fourth. and sometimes 4 quarters
(if there are 2 scored
lines) by using a little
force with fingers.
Some general points on tablets : -
Those tablets to be swallowed can be taken with a whole glass of water.
Large tablets can be broken provided there are no restrictions such as
coated, layered, SR, etc., but ask your pharmacist to confirm this.
If the doctor has advised or of the tablet to be taken, the same can be
done properly only if it is scored. Else, it is very difficult to make an exact
half or quarter however skilful the person may be.
For persons who cannot swallow the whole tablet, it can be powdered, and
mixed with water if it is to be mixed with milk or food, or fruit juice, it
needs to be confirmed first with the pharmacist, whether this could cause
any drug-food interaction !
LOZENGES
LOZENGE
Solid preparations, usually Do not swallow, and
candy type, containing preferably do not break or
medicine/s, sugars and gums chew. Suck on the lozenge
used for local action on the in the mouth. Keep
throat. swallowing the saliva.
CAPSULES
HARD GELATIN A capsule, containing within Do not take while lying
CAPSULE it powder/s or granules down.
containing the medicine Swallow whole with a
(Uncoated and/or enteric glass of water, preferably
coated or coated for in a sitting position.
sustained release in the Do not cut open, unless
stomach), the outer shell of otherwise recommend by
the capsule dissolves and the the doctor or pharmacist.
contents inside are released.
SOFT GELATIN A soft capsule containing

CAPSULE liquid/semisolid medicine.

ORAL LIQUIDS
ORAL SOLUTION, Various liquid preparations The prescribed dose is to
SYRUP, ELIXIR, containing the medicine/s be measured with a
LINCTUS dissolved in them. The liquid measuring cup or a
base could be water, syrup, measuring spoon
alcohol, glycerin, propylene provided with the bottle.
gycol, or a mixture of two or
more of the above. To be swallowed. To be
diluted only if instructed
to do so.
EMULSION T h e m e d i c i n e / s i s / a r e Shake the bottle well
dissolved in the oil or water before use, so as to
portion of the emulsion. d i s p e r s e t h e
suspension/emulsion
uniformly.
Dose to be measured with
measuring cup or
measuring spoon
provided with the bottle.
To be swallowed without
SUSPENSION T h e m e d i c i n e / s i s / a r e dilution.
suspended in the liquid in the
form of small particles.

DRY POWDER Available as powder or
FOR SUSPENSION granules put in a bottle.
Before use, water is to be
added to the powder to form
a suspension.
Reconstitution of dry powder for suspension :

It is very important to reconstitute the suspension correctly to ensure that
the medicine remains stable and is delivered in the correct potency.
For doing this, read the instructions on the label of the bottle carefully before
preparing the suspension (there might be slight difference in procedure
recommended, from company to company).
1. Heat some (around 50 ml for a 30 ml bottle

and around 100 ml for a 60 ml bottle)
drinking water in a clean vessel, & bring
it to boil. (In some medicine packages, sterile
water may be supplied in a vial or ampoule,
and which may be directly used for making
the suspension without boiling).
2. Cover the vessel with a clean lid

and allow water to cool to room temperature.
3. Shake the bottle to loosen the powder. Open

the cap of the bottle and / or seal if any, with
clean hands. Slowly add the cooled water
exactly up to the ring mark on the bottle /
arrow on the label.

4. Close the bottle and shake vigorously, till all
of the powder is uniformly suspended.
5. Adjust the volume up to the arrow mark /

ringed mark by adding more water, if
necessary.
6. Now the suspension is ready for use.
Note
After reconstitution, keep the bottle at the storage condition
mentioned on the label (some medicines may be stored in a cool
place, while some have to be stored in a refrigerator).
The reconstituted suspension has to be used within 4 - 7 days of
reconstitution (slight variation in number of days may be there for
different medicines). The exact number of days is to be noted from
the individual label.
The bottle is to be shaken well before using it each time.
The exact dose is to be measured using the measuring cup or spoon or
syringe supplied along with the bottle.

DOSAGE FORMS FOR EXTERNAL USE
LINIMENT A liniment is a medicated For external use only.

preparation to be rubbed on A small quantity is to be
the skin. It is used to relieve rubbed in with gentle
muscular aches and pains. friction on the affected
portion of the skin.
Not to be applied on
broken skin or exposed
mucous membranes, as
it can cause irritation.
LOTION A lotion is a low to For external use only.

medium-viscosity liquid, A small quantity is to be
for application on the skin. dabbed on the affected
portion of the skin with
cotton or clean cloth, or
spread thinly with clean
fingers.
CREAM These are solid dosage For external use only.

forms packed either in A small quantity is to be
tubes or jars. In these, the applied on the affected
medicine/s is/are dissolved area of the skin and
/mixed/ spread uniformly spread gently with
in either a creamy/greasy / fingers. A thin layer is
OINTMENT water base. to be applied.
Depending on the type of These are used for pain
wound/condition of the /inflammation, small
skin, the doctor quantity is to be gently
recommends which type of rubbed to generate heat.
GEL base is to be used.

POWDERS These are free flowing, For external use only.
very fine powders for
external use. To be used as a dusting
Not for use on open powder.
wounds unless the Sprinkle over the
powders are sterilized. affected area of the
body and spread
uniformly with clean
fingers.
TRANSDERMAL PATCH
A transdermal patch or skin patch is a
medicated adhesive patch that is placed on the
skin. A specific dose of the medication is
slowly delivered through the skin and into the
bloodstream.
For e.g.
Nicotine patches, oestrogen patches.
PLASTERS Plasters are solid or For external use only.

semisolid masses which
adhere to the skin. The Peel off the backing
medication is delivered film and apply to the
locally on the skin. affected area.
Apply to clean dry

skin.

NASAL DROPS
These are to be instilled in the nose for local action in the nasal cavity.
They are available packaged in different types of bottles/droppers :
Plastic squeeze bottle with built-in dropper Glass bottle, with a removable dropper
Turn the bottle upside down and squeeze the Squeeze the dropper and release it to
bottle to let the drops out with the nose. draw the liquid in the dropper. Then
squeeze the dropper again to let the drops
out, into the nose.
Instruction for use

Gently blow your nose before administering the drops.
Lie down, with the head slightly tilted
backward OR sit in a chair, with the head
tilted backward as far as possible.
Hold the dropper just vertically above
the nostril, so that the drop falls directly
into the nostril.
Avoid direct contact of the dropper
tip/surface to the nostril, as it may induce a sneeze or contaminate the
dropper.
Put 1, 2 or 3 drops, as instructed by the doctor.
Remain in the head backword/tilted position for 5 10 mins.
After use, close the cap of the dropper bottle/screw back the dropper on the
bottle and store away in the right place.

CAPSULE OR LIQUID FOR INHALATIONS
These are used as inhalations, for local action in the upper respiratory tract.
(NOT TO BE INSTILLED IN THE NOSE).
There could be two ways of using this:
1. Inhalation using a handkerchief / cloth :
a. Cut the tip of the capsule, pour/sprinkle the liquid within it on a
handkerchief, and inhale.
b. Pour out a few drops of the liquid from the bottle on a handkerchief, and
inhale.
2. Inhalation using hot water :
a. Cut the tip of the capsule and pour it's liquid contents into a vessel
containing hot water (not boiling) [Or put a few drops of the liquid from
the bottle].
b. Use a towel to cover the head, in the manner shown in the picture below.
Inhale the vapours, keep your eyes closed to avoid burning/irritating the
eyes.
c. Do this process carefully, taking adequate care not to spill the hot water
on to you.
d. If this is to be done for children or the elderly, special care and
supervision is necessary to avoid mishaps.
Note NOT TO BE SWALLOWED. CLOSE EYES

WHILE INHALING
(WILL IRRITATE THE EYES IF VAPOURS GO INTO THEM)

NASAL SPRAY
A nasal spray contains the medication in aerosol form, packed in a canister.
Instructions for use of nasal sprays:
1. Gently blow your nose to clear it of mucus before using the medication.
2. Make sure the canister fits snugly in its holder. Shake the canister several
times just before using it.
3. Keep your head upright. Breathe out slowly.
4. Hold the nasal spray canister below one nostril and use your finger to close
the nostril on the side not receiving the medication.
5. Press down on the canister as you begin to breathe in slowly through your
nose. Repeat these steps for the other nostril. If you are using more than one
spray in each nostril, follow all these steps again.
Try not to sneeze or blow your nose for a few minutes after using the spray.
EAR DROPS
These could be in the form of solutions, suspensions or emulsions. Suspension
and emulsion eye drops should be shaken well each time before use.
Instructions for use of ear drops:

If you want to instill in a sitting position, keep your head
tilted to one side.
If you want to instill the ear drops lying down, lie on
your side so that the affected ear faces upwards.
Gently pull the ear lobe away from your neck with one
hand.
With the other hand, hold the bottle or dropper over the
ear opening and gently
squeeze the correct
number of drops into your
ear.
Note Some formulations come as eye/ear drops. These could be used for
the eye and ears. However, it is very important to note that, once you
use the drops container/dropper for the ears, you must not use the
same container/dropper for the eyes.

EYE DROPS
Eye drops are sterile (free from micro organisms)liquid
preparations used to administer medication in the eye.
These may be in the form of solutions, suspensions or
emulsions and packed in bottles of no more than 10 ml.
Beside the medications they contain one or more
preservatives which help to protect the eye drops from
microbial contamination.
Care Of Your Eye Drops:

Store in a dry place, away from direct light, within the temperature stated
on the label and keep away from children. Some eye drops may have to be
stored in the refrigerator.
Eye drops must be used within one month of opening the container.
Discard after one month of opening. When you open the container, write
down the date of opening on it, so that you know, beyond which date you
must not use the bottle.
Discard the drops if the color changes from the original color/if it turns
cloudy/ if they have foreign particles floating in them.
If using contact lenses, they should be removed while using the eye drops,
unless otherwise advised.
Do not touch the dropper tip or other dispensing tip to any surface, as this
may contaminate the eye drops.
Instructions for use:

Wash your hands with soap and water. Rinse and dry
your hands.
If the eye drops are in suspension or emulsion form,
gently shake the bottle well (with the dropper on) before
using.
Lie down flat without using a pillow OR sit in front of a
mirror.
Remove the cover of the dropper of the eye drop bottle.
Hold it in 2 fingers of one hand, without touching the
opening (Do not keep it on any surface).

Tilt your head back, look up to the ceiling with both the eyes and with the
index (pointer) finger of the hand holding
the dropper cover, gently pull down
your lower eyelid to form a pouch/pocket.
With the other hand, squeeze the eye drop
bottle gently and put 1 drop in this
pouch. Try not to touch your eye,
eyelashes, or anything else with the
dropper tip. This is to keep the eye drops
free from bacteria (germs).
After putting in the drop, let go the eyelid gently. Close your eyes gently
and try not to blink or squeeze your eye after the drop is put. Remain lying
down for a few minutes,
Repeat in the other eye if the eye drop is prescribed for both the eyes.
Use the eye drops for the number of times per day recommended and
ONLY for the period/number of days recommended by your doctor.
Useful Tips:
If you are prescribed and asked to use both eye drops and an eye ointment,
use the eye drops first, then put the eye ointment after 5 minutes.
If you are prescribed and asked to use more than one type of eye drops at
the same time, leave a gap of 5 minutes between each of the drops. This
allows the first drop to 'settle in' and not be washed out by a second drop if
it is put in too quickly. Ask your doctor, which of the eye drops is to be
used first.
Some eye drops may cause temporary irritation after putting in the eye. Tell
your doctor if eye symptoms become worse after using eye drops. If
irritation persists or increases, discontinue use and consult your doctor
immediately.
You may get a taste of eye drops in your mouth, or a feeling that the drops
are running down your throat. This is normal, as the tear duct which drains
tears to your nose will also drain some of the eye drop.
Do not let anyone else use your drops, and do not use anyone else's drops
yourself. This can transfer infection.
Eye drops are sterile (free from microorganisms) before the bottle top is
opened.
Hence do not keep used eye drops open for a long time, as they may get
contaminated.

EYE OINTMENT
A special ointment (which is sterile, free from particles) and meant for
application to the eye. It must be
non-irritating to the eye.
Some ointments may cause blurring
of vision for a few minutes. Do not
drive or operate heavy machinery until
vision is cleared.
Care Of Your Eye Ointment:

Squeeze the small amount of ointment (about 1/2 -1/4) inside the
lower lid.
Use tissue paper or clean cloth to wipe out any excess of the ointment
around the eye.
Store in a dry place, away from direct light, within the temperature stated
on the label and keep away from children.
Eye ointments must be used within one month of opening the container.
Discard after one month of opening. When you open the container, write
down the date of opening so that you know, beyond which date you must
not use the ointment.
Discard the ointment if the color changes from the original color.
Do not touch the tip of the tube with finger or to the eye or any surface.

Wash your hands with soap and water. Rinse and dry your hands.
Lie down flat without using a pillow or sit in front of a mirror.
Remove the cap of the ointment. Hold it in two fingers of one hand,
without touching the opening (do not keep it on any surface).
Tilt your head back, look up at the ceiling with both eyes, and with the
index finger of the hand holding the cap, gently pull down your lower
eyelid.
With the other hand, squeeze the tube gently and allow 1 cm line of
ointment to be put along the inside of the lower eyelid, taking care not to
touch the eye or eyelashes with the tip of the tube. This is to keep the
eye ointment free from bacteria (germs).
After applying the ointment, let go of the eyelid gently. Close your eyes
gently to spread the ointment over the surface of the eyeball.
Your vision may be blurred when you open your eyes -
DO NOT RUB YOUR EYES.

The blurring will clear after a few moments.
Repeat this procedure for the other eye, if you have been advised to do
so by your doctor.
Replace the cap of the tube taking care not to touch the tip with your
finger.
Use a tissue paper or a clean cloth to wipe out any excess of the
ointment around the eye.
Some Useful Tips:

If you are using more than one type of ointment, wait for about half-an-
hour before using the next ointment, fro the drug in the first to be
absorbed into the eye.
Some ointments may cause blurring of vision for a few minutes. Do not
drive or operate heavy machinery until vision is cleared.
If using contact lenses, they should be removed while using the eye
ointment, unless otherwise advised.
GARGLE
A medicated gargle is used for Not to be swallowed.
local action on the 10 - 15 ml to be taken in the mouth,
pharynx / throat. head to be tilted backward, allowing
the medication to the throat /
pharynx, and gargled for a least 30
secs. Repeat immediately only if
recommended. Do the same for the
number of times specified per day.
There is no harm if small quantities
of the medication gets swallowed in
the process.
Check on the label whether the
gargle is to be taken undiluted or it
can be diluted with water. (May be
diluted 1:1 if used over a long
period.)

MOUTH WASH
Medicated solution Around 10 - 20 ml of the solution is to
to be used locally in be swished in the mouth for 30 - 60 sec,
Oral/mouth cavity. and then spitted out.
Not to be swallowed.
Very small quantity, if swallowed
causes no harm.
Check on the label whether the liquid
they can be diluted with water. May be
diluted with equal quantity of water, if
it is to be used over a long period.
DOSAGE FORMS FOR RECTAL / VAGINAL USE

SUPPOSITORIES
A suppository is a small medicated solid dosage form, in various shapes and
sizes, adapted for insertion/introduction into the rectum (rectal suppositories),
vagina (vaginal suppositories or pessaries) or urethra of the human body. It is
generally made of a base of solid vegetable oil that contains the medicine. It is
meant to melt, soften or dissolve at body temperature, and deliver the drug.
NOT FOR ORAL USE
NOT TO BE SWALLOWED
FOR RECTAL USE ONLY!
A) Rectal suppositories
Instructions for use :
Read the directions on the label carefully.
Wash your hands clean with soap and water.
Remove the suppository from the foil or wrapping and moisten it with luke
warm water.
Hold for few seconds in the palms of the hand to soften it. (to prevent
melting,

do not hold for too long)
Lie down sideways on your left, keep your left leg straight and hold your
right leg upward towards your stomach.
Hold the pointed end front way.
Gently but firmly, push the suppositories in the rectum. Push it far
enough, so that it does not slip out.
Close your legs and lie down for a few minutes.
Wash your hand after these.
Store the remaining suppositories in a cool and dry place.
Try not to empty your bowels for at least half an hour, unless the
suppository is a laxative.
Clean with warm water and soap, then rinse and dry.
You may get symptoms such as itching, burning. Inform your doctor if
they are too troublesome.
Rectal suppositories may be used for local action of the drug in the rectum
(e.g. laxative), or for absorption of the drug into the blood through the rectum
as there is a rich supply of blood vessels (e.g. paracetamol suppositories for
fever, diazepam suppositories for epilepsy) as an alternative to oral dosage
forms, generally when the patient is ill/cannot swallow a tablet, etc.
In India, suppositories are not very common as they are generally considered
messy. However; they have a lot of utility.
Smart ALWAYS FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS

Moves WHEN USING MEDICATIONS!
B) Vaginal Suppositories
The packet of vaginal suppositories will contain:
a. Vaginal tablets / Suppositories
b. An applicator

Wash your hand with soap and water, and dry them.
Remove the applicator from its plastic wrap.
Peel/pull out one vaginal tablet from the foil.
Pull out the applicator or plunger, as much as possible, and place the
suppository in the applicator.

Stand with one leg up on a chair or lie down on your back with the knees
bent (to facilitate the insertion of the applicator), whichever is most
comfortable for you to relax.
Hold the applicator in one hand, with a finger on the end of the plunger.
Use the other hand to gently guide the applicator into the vaginal opening
(Take care not to allow the tablet to fall out). If the tablet falls out of the
applicator, do not try to replace it. throw away that tablet and use another
one.
Insert the applicator into the vagina as far as is comfortable. Do not force
the applicator into the vagina or insert more than half of the applicator into
the vagina.
Gently press the plunger to release the tablet.
Remove the empty applicator from the vagina. Lie down for about 10
minutes to allow the tablet to melt completely into the vagina.
Clean the plunger with warm water and soap, then rinse and dry.
You may get symptoms such as itching, burning. Inform your doctor if
they are too troublesome.
Note: some tablets come without an applicator. These should be inserted
with the finger.
VAGINAL CREAMS
Instruction for use :
Wash your hand with soap and water.
Use sanitary napkins (rather than tampons) to
prevent staining the clothes.
Remove the cap from the tubes and screw on the
applicator to the tube.
Squeeze the tube and fill the applicator until the plunger is fully extended.
Unscrew the applicator from the tube.
Lie down on the back, raise the knees and gently insert the applicator into
the vagina as far it goes comfortably.
Press the plunger gently to release the cream into the vagina. Keep the
plunger depressed and remove the applicator from vaginal canal.
Recap the tube.
After each use, take apart the applicator. Wash it with soap and warm
water.
Rinse and dry the applicator thoroughly and reassemble.

DOSAGE FORMS INHALED THROUGH THE MOUTH
METERED DOSE INHALER (MDI)
An inhaler is an assembly of a solution, suspension or emulsion of drug/s in
a mixture of inert propellants, held under pressure in an aerosol dispenser.
The drug/s is released from the assembly on pressing the canister. It is to be
inhaled through the mouth, for local action on the lungs, bronchi and
alveoli.
Instructions for use
Remove the cover of the mouth piece.
Hold the inhaler with the thumb at the bottom and the forefingers at the
top , and shake the inhaler well.
Breathe out gently through your mouth.
Tilt your head slightly backward.
Place open end of the mouth piece into your mouth. Close the lips closed
around it.
Begin breathing in slowly and deeply through the mouthpiece. At the
same time, press down on the canister to spray/release the medication
into your mouth.
Continue breathing in slowly and steadily until the lungs are full. The
drug is delivered to the lungs.
Hold your breath for 10 seconds or as long as comfortable. Breath out
slowly.
ROTACAPS
NOT TO BE SWALLOWED
TO BE USED ONLY WITH A ROTAHALER,
FOR INHALATION
Rotacaps are capsule which contain the medicine in the form of granules or
powder. The Rotacaps are inserted in the Rotahaler.
Instructions for use :

1. Hold the Rotahaler vertically.
Note. It is important to position the two halves of the Rotahaler such that the fin
(a part in the Rotahaler) is not directly below the raised square hole.
2. Take a Rotacap capsule from its container. Insert the Rotacap, transparent end
first, into the small raised square hole of the Rotahaler.
3. Press the Rotacap firmly such that the top end of the Rotacap is at the level of the
top of the hole.
4. Holding the mouth piece with one hand rotate the base. The fin separates the
two halves of the Rotacap and the medicine within spills out of the Rotacap.
This can be seen through the transparent body of the Rotahaler. The
Rotahaler is now ready for use.
5. Breathe out fully. Grip the mouthpiece between your teeth and seal your lips
around it. Tilt your head slightly backwards. Breathe in through your mouth as
deeply as you can.
Note: If you are doing this correctly you will hear the Rotacap shell rattling
inside the Rotahaler.
6. Remove the Rotahaler from your mouth and hold your breath. Continue
holding your breath for as long as you can, before breathing out. In case
powder remains in the Rotacap after inhalation, repeat steps 5 and 6 till
Rotacap is empty.
7. After use separate the two halves of the Rotahaler and discard the empty
Rotacap. Reassemble the Rotahaler for subsequent use.
8. Wash Rotahaler with soap water.
DOSAGE FORMS FOR PARENTRAL USE

INJECTION
An injection is a STERILE (free from microorganisms) preparation and it is
important that it remains so. Because injections are introduced directly below the
protective barrier of skin, unsterile preparations containing micro-organisms
create serious problems.
An injection can be in the form of a solution, suspension, or emulsion. It needs to be

injected using sterile needle and syringe. Larger quantities ( 50ml and above) are
given as slow infusions through the veins using other devices like catheters, using
I. V. Infusion set.

TYPE OF INJECTION WHERE IT IS INJECTED
Intravenously (IV) Vein
Intramuscularly (IM) Muscle
Intra arterial Artery
Subcutaneously (SC) Sub-cutaneous tissue below the skin
Spinal Spinal cord
Intra-articular Joints
Intracardiac Heart
Intradermal (ID) injection Dermal layer of the skin
Intra cerebral Brain
Intraosseous infusion Bonemarrow
Intracisternal Between the first and second cervical
vertebrae
Intra cerebroventricular Ventricular system of the brain
Generally, injections are to be used as a last resort, when oral or other

medications may not be sufficient. The decision, whether to use an injection or
not, should be left exclusively to the doctor.
Injections need to be used very carefully:

Once the medication goes into the system, it is not possible to remove it.
The action, many times, is immediate, so it is not immediately possible to
reverse the effect if something wrong happens.
We are penetrating the protective barrier of the body i.e. the skin, and
going beyond it.
One needs to take great care to ensure that the injection, the syringe-needle
are sterile, and the correct technique is used. A wrong technique can cause
problems like abscesses, nerve damage if wrongly injected, etc.
Use of unsterile needle-syringes, sharing of the same, could transmit
infections like HIV, hepatitis, etc.
Generally, injections are to be administered by trained health care personnel.

However, insulin injections are generally injected by a member of the family,
or the patient himself has to administer/inject it. This needs to be taken
subcutaneously (In the subcutaneous layer of the skin), and the patient /family
member must learn (from a trained health care provider), the precautions to
take while injecting, the correct technique for injection, and the correct site/s
for injection. All other injections are to be given only by a trained health care
provider.

LIST OF WEBSITES
List of some of the USEFUL HEALTHCARE WEBSITES

(For drug , disease related information )
1. www.who.int
2. www.fda.gov
3. www.cdsco.nic.in
4. www.cimsasia.com
5. www.medicines.org.uk
6. www.ipc.gov.in
7. www.mspcindia.org
8. www.kspcdic.com
9. www.dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/
10. www.ema.europa.eu
11. www.bnf.org
12. www.familydoctor.org
13. www.patientsafetyalliance.in
14. www.drugs.com
15. www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus
16. www.webmd.com
17. www.rxlist.com
18. www.patient.co.uk
19. www.medicinenet.com
20. www.drugwatch.com
21. http://www.nhp.gov.in/ (National Health Portal of India )
22. www.core.nic.in (Consumer Online Resource and Empowerment center.)
(This is the Indian Online Consumer Resource website & a place where you
can lodge complaint online.)

Indian Pharmaceutical Association
www.ipapharma.org
Pharmacy Council of India

www.pci.nic.in

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Campaign for Awareness on Responsible Use of Medicines

Responsible Use of Medicines

Indian Pharmaceutical Association

Kalina, Santacruz (E), Mumbai - 400098 INDIA

Thanks to staff of Hindu Pharmacy, Panaji

Dr. Rao V. S. V. Valdlamudi

Dr. Rao V. S. V. Vadlamudi.

1 What are Medicines, And Why Do We Need Them ? 3

4 Medicines and Prescriptions 14

5 Meet the Pharmacist 24

6 Care While Purchasing Medicines 26

7 Spurious, Sub-Standard, Counterfeit Medicines 31

10 Understanding Your Medicines 41

11 Prescription Abbreviations, Common Terms & Measurements 46

12 Improper Use of Medicines 50

13 Side Effects of Medicines 57

16 Rational Use of Medicines 69

17 Medicines and Children 72

18 Medicines and The Elderly 77

19 Medicines During Pregnancy and Lactation 79

20 Various Dosage Forms 82

21 List of Websites 104

However, medicine safety is an issue of prime importance. There is a lot of

Irrational use of medicines leads to so many ill consequences improper

Indian Pharmaceutical Association 01

Medicines And Shoes

02 Responsible Use of Medicines

a. used for or in the medical diagnosis, cure/treatment, mitigation or

b. intended to affect the structure or function of the human body or intended

Certain devices intended for internal or external use in the diagnosis,

Note In this booklet, as far as possible, we have tried and used

Indian Pharmaceutical Association 03

Target Synthesis Chemical & physical

3. ANIMAL Pharmacological Preparing formulations. Chronic safety

After FDA Approval

04 Responsible Use of Medicines

All of us need medicines at some time or the other for:

Medicines thus prevent and treat diseases/illnesses and epidemics;

Patient to decide and take the medicines:

It is very important to realize that the patient

Indian Pharmaceutical Association 05

06 Responsible Use of Medicines

Did You Know ?

Data Year: 2013.*: AIOCD PharmaTrac **: Courtsey: Mr Anil Khanna

Allopathic medicines thus take up a large share of the medicines manufactured

Allopathy : M.B.B.S. Ayurveda : B.A.M.S.

2 Dietary Supplements / Food supplements:

08 Responsible Use of Medicines

Dietary Supplements in India could be identified by descriptions on their

Indian Pharmaceutical Association 09

The label of such dietary products should contain:

E Dietary supplements are not intended to treat, diagnose, mitigate, prevent

E As there are no strict criteria for dietary supplements as compared to drug

10 Responsible Use of Medicines

There is a lot of information printed on

Quantity to be taken Date of Manufacture

With the warning that Red line indicating that

Fig. Immediate carton of medication-different parts of the label explained.

Indian Pharmaceutical Association 11