More Pharmacy Lingo

The drug store sometimes seems to have a language all its own. What’s the difference between a capsule, a caplet, and a gelcap? Does it matter which one I pick? Will it change how the medication is delivered to my body, or how quickly it works? Here’s a list of pharmacy terms you might encounter — when trying to pick an over-the-counter treatment for a problem, or when picking up a prescription. First, let’s look at the product itself. Most medications list “active ingredients” — the stuff that produces the therapeutic effect — and “inactive ingredients” — the stuff that … Continue reading

Unraveling the Prescription Code

It isn’t just the bad handwriting that keeps us from understanding the scribbles on a prescription sheet. There’s a bit of shorthand or code in there, too. Are you ready to crack the code? Here are some terms and phrases you might see on your prescription — in case you’re curious. Many of them deal with timing: what time of day the medication should be taken, and how frequently the medication should be taken. An “am” or “pm” (not surprisingly) refers to medication taken in the morning or the evening. But other bits of code might be less obvious. If … Continue reading