PTCB Certified Pharmacy Technician (PTCE)MedicationsMedium
A technician is preparing a non-sterile oral suspension. Which of the following auxiliary labels would be MOST important to place on the final product?
- AMay cause drowsiness.
- BShake well before use.
- CFor external use only.
- DTake with food.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Shake well before use.
Suspensions contain solid drug particles dispersed in a liquid vehicle. Over time, these particles can settle, leading to uneven dosing. Shaking ensures the drug is uniformly distributed, so the patient receives the correct dose with each administration.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. This is a common auxiliary label for many medications, but not specific to suspensions.
- C. Oral suspensions are for internal use, so 'For external use only' would be incorrect and dangerous.
- D. While some oral medications require food, this is not a universal or primary label for all suspensions.
Oral Suspension Labeling
Oral suspensions are heterogeneous liquid dosage forms containing solid drug particles dispersed in a liquid vehicle. Due to particle settling, they require an auxiliary label instructing the patient to 'Shake well before use' to ensure accurate dosing.
- Particles settle over time due to gravity.
- Shaking redistributes particles evenly.
- Failure to shake can lead to under- or overdosing.
Memory trick: Auxiliary labels are 'extra help' for safe use.