1. Fundamentals of Pharmacology for Veterinary Technicians
Chapter 5
Veterinary Drug Use and Prescribing
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Types of Drugs
Chemical name:
Provides scientific and technical information
Is a precise description of the substance
Example: 7-chloro-1,3-dihydro-1-methyl-5-phenyl-2H-1,4-benzodiazepin-2-one
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Types of Drugs
Generic (nonproprietary) name:
Official identifying name of the drug (assigned by the U.S. Adopted Names Council)
Describes the active drug
Written using lowercase letters
Example: diazepam
Brand (trade, proprietary) name:
Establishes legal proprietary recognition for the corporation that developed the drug
Is registered with the U.S. Patent Office and is used only by the company that registered the drug
Is written in capital letters or begins with a capital letter and has a circled, superscript R by its name
Example: Valium
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4. Sources of Drug Information
United States Pharmacopoeia (USP)
Publication that is the legally recognized drug standard of the United States
Describes the source, appearance, properties, standards of purity, and other requirements of the most important pure drugs
The FDA requires that all drugs meet USP standards of purity, quality, and uniformity
Drug label
Label on drug bottle or vial must contain:
Drug names (generic and trade)
Drug concentration and quantity
Name and address of manufacturer
Manufacturer’s control or lot number
Expiration date of drug
Withdrawal time (if warranted)
Controlled substance status of drug (if warranted)
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5. Sources of Drug Information
Package insert
Provided with drugs to meet regulatory requirements
Registered trade name, generic name, controlled substance notation if warranted
Description or composition statement
Clinical pharmacology, actions, or mode of action
Indications and usage
Contraindications
Precautions
Warnings
Adverse reactions or side effects
Overdosage information
Dosage administration
Storage
How supplied
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Package Insert
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7. Sources of Drug Information
Drug References
Bound book of information on package inserts
Physician’s Desk Reference (PDR): human-approved drugs
Veterinary Pharmaceuticals and Biologicals (VPB)
Compendium of Veterinary Products (CVP)
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Expiration Dates
Expiration date is the date before which a drug meets all specifications and after which the drug can no longer be used
Expiration dates are assigned based on the stability of or experience with the drug
Expiration dates for drugs that are mixed in the clinic vary depending on the reconstitution and refrigeration status of the drugs
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9. Drugs Used in Veterinary Practice
Veterinary drugs are those approved only for use in animals
Human drugs are approved by the FDA and guidelines for their use in food-producing animals is provided in the Compliance Policy Guide
A veterinarian/client/patient relationship must be established before any medication is prescribed for an animal
Guidelines for veterinarian/client/patient relationships are provided in Table 5-2
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Prescriptions
A prescription is an order to a pharmacist, written by a licensed veterinarian, to prepare the prescribed medicine, to affix the directions, and to sell the preparation to the client
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Dispensing Drugs
Prescription drugs may be dispensed by pharmacists or trained veterinary staff
Veterinary prescription drugs should be properly labeled when dispensed
Remember that veterinary staff members cannot refill or dispense medications without veterinarian approval
Medications must be dispensed in childproof containers
Labels with cautionary statements may also be used on the prescription
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12. Label on the Prescription
The label on the prescription should be complete and contain:
The name and address of the dispenser
The client’s name (+/- address)
The animal’s name and species
The drug name, strength, and quantity
The date of the order
Directions for use
Any refill information (if warranted)
© 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning, a part of the Thomson Corporation.

13. Parts of a Prescription Label
© 2004 by Thomson Delmar Learning, a part of the Thomson Corporation.