Writing a prescription
Issue a prescription with drug, dose, frequency, and duration. Auto-checks allergies and interactions.
Overview
Writing a prescription captures the drug, dose, frequency, duration, and quantity. It checks the patient's allergies, current medications, and the drug database for interactions before allowing save. Print or send digitally to the patient.
Prerequisites
- Owner, Admin, or Dentist role (only dentists can prescribe)
- Patient record with current medications and allergies up to date
- The drug exists in the platform's drug database
Steps
Start from a consultation (preferred). Inside the consultation form → Prescriptions card → + New prescription. Or top nav Prescriptions → + New for ad-hoc.
Search for the drug. Type the brand or generic name. The drug database returns matches with active ingredient, common doses, and brand variants.
See alerts. If the patient is allergic to the drug, a red banner blocks save. If a current medication interacts, an amber warning appears with the interaction severity.
Pick the dose. Common doses pre-filled from the drug database. Adjust if needed.
Set frequency. "Twice a day", "Every 6 hours", "As needed for pain". Use the dropdown for standard, free-text for custom.
Set duration and quantity. Duration in days; quantity is auto-calculated from dose × frequency × duration. Override quantity if rounding to a pack size.
Add patient instructions. "Take with food", "Avoid alcohol", "Stop and call if rash develops". Standard phrases available; free text supported.
Save the prescription. Status ISSUED. The prescription is logged on the patient's profile and visible to the dispensing pharmacist (if linked) or to a staff member confirming dispense.
Print or send digitally. Print for a paper script. Send to patient sends the script to their portal. They can show the digital version at the pharmacy.
Use a template for repeat prescriptions. Save a frequently-used combo as a template. Apply with two clicks next time.
Expected outcome
- A new Prescription entry exists with clinic, patient, dentist, drug, dose, frequency, duration, quantity, and instructions
- Allergy and interaction checks ran and passed
- Patient profile shows the new prescription on the Prescriptions tab
- Print/digital copy generated
Troubleshooting
| Symptom | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Drug not found | Drug missing from the database | Add via Settings → Drugs → + Add drug (Admin/Owner) |
| Allergy alert blocks save | Patient is allergic to this drug | Pick a different drug; the block is intentional |
| Interaction warning won't dismiss | Severe interaction | Call the prescribing physician for the other drug; document override in notes |
| Quantity doesn't match dose × frequency × duration | Rounding to pack size | Override manually; the calc is a hint, not a constraint |
| Patient didn't get digital copy | Patient portal account doesn't exist or email failed | Print and hand over instead |