How to write a prescription: Guidelines for Dentists

Basic legal requirements of a prescription

Prescription should be written in ink or other unalterable electronic form.
Hand written prescriptions should be signed by the prescriber.
Clearly indicate the date of issue on the prescription.
Clearly indicate full name, address, professional qualification and professional registration number of prescriber.
Specify full name and address of patient, and if patient <12 years old, specify age or date of birth.
Hand writing should be legible.
Electronic prescriptions must be transmitted by the national electronic prescription transfer system (i.e. via a healthmail account).

Good practice points

Include prescriber’s contact phone number or email address on the prescription.
Prescribe using the generic drug name.
Do not use abbreviations.
State name of drug, dose, frequency, route and duration of treatment.
Include patient’s weight in kilogram (kg) on the prescription if < 12 years of age.
See section on further information on prescribing in children, including antibiotic dosing tables and weight-based dosing for paracetamol and ibuprofen in children.
In the case where a specific formulation is required e.g. a liquid preparation, this can be stated on the prescription.
In the case of preparations to be taken ‘as required’, specify a minimum dose interval and the total quantity to be supplied.
Avoid the unnecessary use of decimal points e.g. 3 grams should be written as 3g and not 3.0g, quantities of less than 1 gram should be written in milligrams e.g. 500mg, not 0.5g.
When decimals are unavoidable, a zero should be written in front of the decimal point where there is no other figure e.g. 0.5ml, not .5ml. It is advisable to avoid trailing zeros e.g. 0.50ml.
Check allergy status of the patient.
Check what other medicines the patient is taking, including non-prescription items, which may interact with the new medicine. See table on drug interactions for a summary of current best guidance or refer to the Summary of Product Characteristics via HPRA.ie
Check contraindications, potential side effects and caution in potential high-risk groups e.g. pregnancy/breastfeeding, elderly, children (refer to the Summary of Product Characteristics via HPRA.ie or in a recognised formulary, such as the BNF for further details).
Advise patients to return to their dentist if their condition deteriorates, does not improve or if they develop any side-effects to the antimicrobial.
Respond promptly to a patient’s concern / adverse drug reaction (ADR). Any changes to medication should be clearly communicated to the patient and dispensing pharmacist.
In the event of a serious side effect, or any ADR to a newly authorised product, report it to the Health Products Regulatory Authority (see hpra.ie for downloadable ADR reporting form or can report on-line).
Draw a diagonal line across the blank part of the form under the prescription to prevent fraudulent alterations or additions being made.
Alterations are best avoided but if any are made they should be clear, unambiguous and endorsed with the prescriber’s signature.
Record prescription details in the patient’s notes.

Safe Prescribing (visit the safe prescribing page)

Penicillin allergy – tips on prescribing in penicillin allergy
Renal impairment dosing table
Safety in Pregnancy and Lactation
Drug interactions table. Extensive drug interactions for clarithromycin, fluoroquinolones, azole antifungals and rifampicin. Many antibiotics increase the risk of bleeding with anticoagulants.
Visit the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) website for detailed drug information (summary of product characteristics and patient information leaflets). Dosing details, contraindications and drug interactions can also be found in the Irish Medicines Formulary (IMF) or other reference sources such as British National Formulary (BNF) / BNF for children (BNFC).

Reviewed November 2023