55. A pharmacy receives the following prescription: Levothyroxine 25 g Sig: 1 tablet PO daily #90 The prescriber should be contacted to clarify the medication's:
Answer: B
The prescriber should be contacted to clarify the medication's strength.
The prescription indicates Levothyroxine 25 g, which is an unusually high strength for this medication. Levothyroxine is typically prescribed in micrograms (mcg), and a common starting dose ranges from 25 mcg to 300 mcg, making it imperative to verify the intended strength with the prescriber.
A) Generic name
The generic name of the medication, Levothyroxine, is clearly stated in the prescription. There is no ambiguity regarding the name, so contacting the prescriber for clarification on the generic name is unnecessary.
B) Strength
The strength of Levothyroxine is critical to confirm, as the prescription lists it as 25 g, which is likely incorrect. The typical dosing for Levothyroxine is in micrograms, and this discrepancy necessitates clarification with the prescriber to ensure patient safety.
C) Dosage form
The dosage form of Levothyroxine is implied to be a tablet since the prescription states "1 tablet PO daily." There is no confusion regarding the dosage form, so further clarification is not required in this regard.
D) Dosing interval
The dosing interval specified is "1 tablet PO daily," which is clear and standard for many medications. Therefore, there is no need to contact the prescriber about the dosing interval, as it is explicitly stated in the prescription.
Conclusion
Clarifying the strength of Levothyroxine is essential due to the potential error in the prescription that lists 25 g instead of a more appropriate dosage in mcg. All other options either present clear information or do not require further verification. Ensuring the correct strength is critical for patient safety and effective treatment.