Adding Custom Medications

The Medications tab in PawPlacer's Medical Suite allows you to maintain a comprehensive database of all medications used for your pets. This centralized system helps you track prescription requirements, dosage information, and medication details.

Viewing Medications

When you access the Medications tab, you'll see:

1. Search Bar: Filter medications by name
2. Medication List: Displayed as either:

• A data table (on desktop) with columns for name, description, and prescription requirements
• Cards (on mobile) showing medication details in an easy-to-read format

If you haven't added any medications yet, you'll see an empty state prompting you to add your first medication.

Adding a New Medication

1. Click the "Add Medication" button at the top right of the screen
2. Fill out the information in the dialog that appears:

Basic Information

• Name (required): Enter the medication name
• Type: Select the medication type. Available categories include Agonist, Allergies, Analgesic, Antacid, Antagonist, Antibiotic, Antidepressant, Antidiarrheal, Antiemetic, Antifungal, Antihistamine, Anti-inflammatory, Antiparasitic, Antiseptic, Antitussive, Antiviral, Anxiety, Appetite Stimulant, Benzodiazepine, Cancer, Cardiac, Corticosteroid, Ectoparasiticide, Emergency, Gastrointestinal, Glucocorticoid, Hormone, Immunosuppressant, Internal, Mineralocorticoid, Monoclonal Antibody, Muscle Relaxant, Ophthalmic, Opioid Analgesic, Sedative, Supplement, Vaccine, or Other
• Manufacturer: Enter the pharmaceutical company name
• Prescription Required: Select whether the medication requires a veterinary prescription
• Description: Add details about what the medication treats or other relevant information

Dosage Information

• Available Doses: Add multiple dose options (e.g., 50mg, 100mg, 250mg) by entering them separated by commas
• Default Dosage: Select from available doses or enter a custom dosage amount
• Default Frequency: Specify how often the medication is typically given
• Default Route: Select the administration method (Oral, Topical, Injection, Intravenous, Subcutaneous or Subcutaneous (SQ), Intramuscular, Ophthalmic, Otic, Transdermal)

Additional Information

• Estimated Cost: Enter the typical cost for this medication
• Warnings and Contraindications: Add any important safety information, side effects, or contraindications

3. Click "Save" to add the medication to your database

Editing a Medication

1. Click on any medication in the list
2. Modify information in the dialog that appears
3. Click "Save" to update the record

Deleting a Medication

1. Open the medication's details
2. Click "Delete" at the bottom of the dialog
3. Confirm your choice when prompted

Understanding Medication Details

Each medication entry contains:

• Name: The primary identifier for the medication
• Type: Category of medication for easy organization
• Manufacturer: The pharmaceutical company that produces the medication
• Description: Details about the medication's purpose, common usage, or special instructions
• Prescription Required: Indicator showing whether a veterinary prescription is needed
• Available Doses: List of common dose strengths for easy selection
• Default Dosage: Standard dosage amount for reference
• Default Frequency: How often the medication is typically administered
• Default Route: Standard method of administration
• Estimated Cost: Typical cost of the medication
• Warnings and Contraindications: Important safety information or side effects

Medications marked as requiring a prescription will display a prescription badge, making it easy to identify which medications need a vet's approval.

Mobile Features

On mobile devices:

• Medications display as cards with all essential information
• A badge indicates prescription status (Prescription/OTC)
• Tap the pencil icon to edit a medication

How Medications Integrate with Pet Medical Records

Medications added to your database will be available when:

1. Recording Exams: Select from your medication list when documenting which medications were prescribed during a veterinary visit
2. Noting Procedures: Record medications administered or prescribed during medical procedures
3. Managing Vaccinations: Some vaccines may be listed as medications for comprehensive tracking
4. Pet-Specific Medications: Assign medications to individual pets with specific dosage, frequency, and duration

Pet Medication Assignments

You can create pet-specific medication assignments that track:

• Start and end dates for medication regimens
• Custom dosage and frequency for each pet
• Administration route and amount
• Prescribing veterinarian
• Status (Active, Completed, or Stopped)

This integration ensures consistent medication naming and complete medical histories for all your pets.

Tips for Effective Medication Management

• Use specific medication names rather than general categories (e.g., "Amoxicillin 250mg" instead of just "Antibiotic")
• Add multiple available doses for medications that come in different strengths
• Fill in default dosage information to save time when prescribing
• Include manufacturer information to distinguish between brands
• Select appropriate medication types for better organization
• Add warnings for medications with special handling requirements or side effects
• Accurately mark prescription requirements to ensure proper handling
• Include estimated costs to help budget for medical expenses
• Review your medication list periodically to remove outdated entries
• Consider adding common over-the-counter medications your pets might need

Best Practices

• Keep medication records current and accurate
• Include detailed descriptions for reference
• Use consistent naming conventions
• Regularly update the medication database as veterinarians prescribe new medications