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What Is a Medication List?

From the word itself, a medication list is a tabulation of the medicines that a particular individual takes. This will also clearly state the dosage and the frequency that the medicine should be taken. The reasons as to why the medication is taken should be included as well. In some cases, allergic reactions are also stated. This is done in order to avoid intake of medicines that would bring greater harm than good.

This can be used and posted in your homes in order to keep track of the daily schedule of prescribed medications the patient must take. During your scheduled appointment with the doctor, this can be used as a point of reference. This will be the basis of the treatment the patient needs to receive or the progress report of the condition of the patient. This is also referred to as a medication log. 

Step by Step Process in Creating a Medication List

Step 1: Choose an Appropriate Template

The first step in creating a medication list is to create a table on any platform. However, with the templates that are available above it will be easier and faster. A medication log is an essential document that must be carried at all times. Just like a DAP note, this should also be created clearly and neatly. This is to make sure that there will be no confusion while reading and assessing the document. 

Step 2: Input the Required Rows and Columns

After browsing through the selection and selecting a template, it is now time to input the necessary details. These items are necessary for the treatment of the patient.

Name of the medicine

In general the 1st column will be allocated for the name of the medicine that you are taking. This is the section where you will list out all the medicines that you are regularly taking. For occasional medicines, it is also a must to include them in this section.

Dosage

The next column will be allocated for the dosage of the medicine. This will clearly indicate the amount that is to be taken. This will usually come in the form of milliliters or milligrams. In some cases, the dosage of the medicine will be determined by the number of drops or number of tablespoons. These kinds of measurements are usually applicable for children and adults.

Frequency

Another column will be allocated for the frequency. This column will state how often the medicine should be taken. Some examples of frequency are, daily, every night, every after meal and as needed. In other cases, the frequency may also state that the medicine should be taken twice a day.

Time

This column is a continuation of the column for the frequency. This section is purely allocated for the time the medicine was taken. This is to make sure that there are enough hours in between the taking of the medicine. An example of this instance is that some medicines should be taken 6 hours after the first dosage is taken.

Reason or purpose

This column will indicate the reason as to why the medicine is necessary to take. This will state what the purpose of the medicine is. Some medicines are regularly taken with the main purpose of maintenance. Other medicines are taken occasionally with the main purpose of being a pain killers.

Forms

In what form will the medicine be taken? Do you remember the 3 different states of matter? It is applicable in our everyday life, particularly in taking medications. The most common medication comes in the form of solid and liquid. Examples of solid medicines are tablets capsules. Examples of liquids are syrup medicines. The most rare are medicines that come in the form of gas. However, for people who have asthma and difficulty breathing, nebulizers and inhalers are their preferred medication.

The route of administration

The route of administration will determine the intake of medication. This means that it will state how the medicine should be taken. It is important to know and understand that there are different routes that a medicine is taken. Not all medicines are taken orally, others are applied into the skin or injected through our veins.

Special instructions 

The column for the special instructions is usually the last column of the medication log. This section is for remarks or comments that are specifically ordered by the doctor or health professionals. This section is optional, it can be left as a blank if the doctor did not indicate any suggestions or recommendations.

Step 3: Proofread

This is a very sensitive and essential list. It is a must to proofread what is written here in order to not get confused and take the wrong medication. For severe cases, or for instances that a patient or individual has allergies, this can be a life or death situation. It is crucial to make sure that everything that is included in the medication list is accurate and true.

Different Route Administration

There are numerous ways that medications can be administered.

Oral administration 

This is the most common way. From the word itself, the drug or medicine is taken through the mouth. Solids are the most common drugs that are administered orally.

Otic administration

The types of medicine here come in liquid form. In otic administration, the medicine is administered into the ear through drops.

Nasal administration

From the word nasal, this means that the medication is administered through the nose. This comes in the form of spray or pumps.

Inhalable administration

In this type of approach the drug comes in the form of gas. The gas is then breathed in through masks or a tube.

Ophthalmic administration

From the word optical which means the eye in the world of medicine. The medication is administered through our eyes. This means that the medicine goes through our eyes in the form of drops or ointments.

Buccal administration

This is a rare type of route administration. In buccal administration the drug is placed in our mouth but not swallowed. The drug will be held inside the cheek of the patient.

Sublingual administration 

From the Latin word under the tongue. This literally means that the drug is placed under our tongues. The medicine then disperse and enters our blood through the tissues we have under our tongues.

Rectal administration 

This is one of the most inconvenient ways to receive treatment. The drug enters the body through the patient’s rectum.

Topical administration

In this method, the medication is introduced to the body by direct application to our skins.

Transdermal administration

This is quite similar to topical administration. However, in this method the drug is provided in a patch. The patch is then applied to the skin.

Enteral administration

This is only done for those with severe cases. The medication is directly entered into the stomach or intestine of the patient. The drug will be entered through a tube.

Infused administration

This is commonly seen in the hospital. The medication is injected in the veins of the patient through an IV. You can commonly see this in patients that are confined in the hospital.

Intramuscular administration

This is similar to an infused approach. However, in intramuscular the medicine is injected not in the veins but directly into the muscles.

Intrathecal administration

This route administration is only done for special and severe cases. In this approach the medication is directly injected into the spine of the patient.

Subcutaneous administration

This is a type of administration that is rare. The medicine is injected into the patient. However, it is not injected into the veins or muscles. The drug is injected just under the skin.

Different Types of Medicines

Liquid

Liquids are the most common type of medication. This is done in order for the patient to absorb the medication better. This can also be called syrup or solution.

Tablet

A tablet is a type of medication that can be cut into two. A tablet is a solid type of drug. A tablet is usually round and flat.

Capsules

On the other hand, a capsule is soft. A capsule is a cylindrical dissolvable container. Inside the capsule is a jelly or a powder.

Topical medicines

These types of medicines are applied directly into the skin. Examples of this are ointments, creams and lotions.

Suppositories

These types of medicines are rare. They are substances that are compressed into a cylindrical shape. Unlike a capsule, a suppository is inserted into the body through the rectum or vagina.

Drops

Drops are liquids that are applied directly into the affected area. They are usually used in the eyes, ears and nose.

Inhalers

This type of medicine comes in the form of gas. They are breathed in by the patient. 

Injections

Injections, from the word itself, is a type of medicine that is injected directly into the veins, muscle or under the skin through an IV line.

Implants or patches

Patches or implants are medicines that are applied directly into the skin through a piece of cloth.

Buccal or sublingual tablet

These are types of medicines that are not swallowed. These types of medicines are dissolved in the mouth. Buccal are medicines that are held inside the cheek. On the other hand, sublingual drugs are placed under the tongue. These are only used for specific reasons.

Different Categories of Medication

There are 4 categories of medication. They are general sales list, pharmacy medicines, controlled drugs and prescription only medicines.

General sales list

General sales list medicines or GSLs are medicines that can be bought anywhere. These are the types of medicines that are available in normal stores and can be bought under normal circumstances.

Pharmacy medicines

On the other hand, pharmacy medicines are only available in pharmacies and cannot be bought at all times. Pharmacists have the right to refuse selling these medicines if they think it is not appropriate for the buyer.

Prescription only medicines

Next is prescription only medicines, this means that you need a prescription from a health professional. These are the types of medicines that cannot be bought without a doctor’s note. These types of medicines are very dangerous and can be addictive.

Controlled drugs

Lastly, controlled drugs are the most dangerous and serious. Similar to prescription only medicines, in order to purchase these types of medicine, one will need a prescription from a doctor or health professional. These are the types of medicines that have restrictions on how they are stored and administered. These types will usually require authorization forms from various health professionals.

Having an on hand list of the medications that you take will be a huge help. In case of emergencies this can be used as a point of reference on what to do and what medication to administer. In certain situations, where the nearest hospital is not the one you usually go to, this can be very useful. This will be the means for the doctor to assess the situation. This will help the doctor to know and understand your allergies in order to prevent giving you drugs that will bring more harm than good.

A medication list is a useful instrument to keep track of your health needs. Make use of the templates that are available above in order to create a clear and organized medication list.