Practical aspects of prescribing drugs for ambulatory patients.

One of the largest areas of concern in ambulatory medicine is the treatment of patients with drugs. This is of importance in short-term, acute processes and is especially vital in treating long-term, chronic problems. There are three primary areas of concern in treating ambulatory patients: dosage forms, compliance to the prescribed regimen, and the multiplicity of drugs. This paper discusses the proper use of the various dosage forms available: liquid, tablets, suppositories, and ointments. The physician should be knowledgeable about the drugs he uses and should take a rational approach to the selection and prescription of drugs in everyday practice.