Prescription Verbs and Routes of Administration

Formulation Verb Quantity & Route of administration

Dosage Form
Oral dosage Capsules or tablets # of tablets or # of
“Take” “by mouth”
forms capsules
Chewable tablets
“Chew” # of tablets “by mouth”
Liquids
# of teaspoonfuls,
(suspensions, “Take” “by mouth”
tablespoonfuls
syrups, etc.)
Sublingual tablet
“Dissolve” # of tablets “under the tongue”
Inhalers &
Inhalers “Inhale” # of puffs “by mouth”
Sprays
“Use”,
Nasal Sprays “Spray”,
# of sprays “in each/left/right nostril”
“Administe
r”
Not necessary unless “topically”, or area
Creams, gels,
Topical Agents “Apply” specified by the prescriber specified (e.g.“affected
lotions, solutions
(e.g. “small amount”) area”)
“topically”, or area
Patches “Apply” # of patches
specified
Ophthalmic & Solutions, gels,
“Instill”, “into right/left/both eye(s)
Otic suspensions, # of drops, small amount
“Place” or ear(s)”
Preparations ointments
Injectables
Insulin “Inject” # of units “subcutaneously”
Route specified
Injectables other
“Inject” # of ml (e.g. “subcutaneously”,
than insulin
“intramuscularly”)
Vaginal Creams, # of suppositories,
“Insert” “vaginally”
Products suppositories # of applicatorfuls
Prescription Verbs and Routes of Administration

Rectal Products suppositories “Insert” # of suppositories “rectally”