Dental practice: the prescription and the patient

When prescribing drugs, provide the patient with specific information about the drug, including:

• the generic or approved name of the drug
• the expected effects of the drug and what it is used for
• instructions on how to take or use the drug, including the dose, route, duration, and frequency of administration (eg whether to take the medicine regularly or as needed)
• potential adverse effects and what to do if they occur
• other precautions (eg possible interactions, maximum dose)
• when to return for review
• permission to contact you if necessary.

Patients often do not remember the verbal instructions they are given during a consultation, so it is preferable to give written instructions as well. Consumer medicine information (CMI) leaflets are available for the majority of medicines prescribed in Australia, and should be offered when a drug is prescribed or dispensed. Consumer medicine information leaflets are available from pharmacies, some clinical software packages and online (eg NPS MedicineWise website).