Drug Dosing Issues and Resources

The medication generic name is only one way to specify a therapeutic dosage. If a compound is available in multiple dosage forms a particular generic name may have a number of specific dosage ranges. For example, an extended release product which is dosed once daily may have a very different dosage range than its immediate-release counterpart. At the very least the acceptable frequency of administration is very different. Differences in bioavailability between products as well as salt forms may need to be addressed through separate dosage ranges. The drug brand name unfortunately is also not a simple relationship to the generic drug. For example, a brand name can be applied to an ophthalmic product and a systemic tablet. Additional differentiators (such as route) would need to be included in any review prior to dose administration.