1. Oral Medication Labels and Dosage Calculation
Chapter 6
Oral Medication Labels and Dosage Calculation

2. Oral Doses
Most consist of half to three tablets or capsules, or half to double the mL volume in liquid medications

3. Drug Label Information
Trade or brand name
Capitalized
Generic or official name
Lowercase
Strength in metric measure
Always has unit of measure

4. Dosage Strength on Label
Dosage strength always has unit of measure associated with it
e.g., mcg, mg, units
Unit of measure is metric or household

5. Labels
Extra numbers after drug name may be used to identify dosage strengths of more than one drug in a preparation
Extra initials may be used to identify special drug action

6. Combination Drugs
Tablets and capsules that contain more than one drug usually prescribed by trade name and number of tablets or capsules to be given
Rather than dosage
e.g., Percocet™

7. Safety Point
For safety in medication administration, focus on drug name and its dosage strength
Question any prescriptions that require unusual number of tablets or capsules
More than three
Warning of error in prescribing, transcribing, or calculation

8. More Label Information
The letters USP (United States Pharmacopeia) and NF (National Formulary) on drug labels identify official generic listing

9. Drug Label Information
Manufacturer
Lot number
Expiration date
Must check before administering

10. Other Label Information
If drug in multiple dose containers, number of tablets or capsules in container will be on label

11. Liquid Oral Medications
In addition, labels for liquid oral medications state dosage strength in both:
Unit of measure
e.g., mg, mcg, g, etc.
Amount of dosage strength in mL of fluid

12. Liquid Oral Medications
Smaller volumes may be measured in oral or hypodermic (without needle) syringes
Larger volumes usually measured in calibrated medicine cup
20 mL or more

13. Multiple Drug Preparations
Preparations containing multiple drugs list name and dosage of each drug
e.g., Percocet contains oxycodone 5 mg and acetaminophen 325 mg

14. Safety Point
Labels do not state amount of tablets/capsules or solution contained in prescribed dose

15. Safety Point
When using calibrated medicine cup for liquid oral medications:
Pour safely at eye level
Always read calibrations carefully
Most contain several seldom-used units of measure

16. Safety Point
Care must be taken not to use oral syringes for hypodermic medication preparation
Oral syringes are not sterile