MDA Prescriptions ✍️
Irish MDA / Schedule 2–3 paper prescriptions: what to handwrite, quantity in words and figures, and accepted examples.
📦 CD2 / CD3 (handwrite on paper)
- CD2: morphine, fentanyl, oxycodone, lisdexamfetamine. Also commonly: diamorphine, hydromorphone, methadone, pethidine, alfentanil, methylphenidate.
- CD3: temazepam, flunitrazepam, pentazocine, ketamine.
- Not exhaustive. Confirm on HPRA if unsure. Most other benzos / Z-drugs = CD4 Part 1 (no handwriting).
✍️ Paper rules
- Handwrite: drug name, dose, form + strength, total quantity in figures and words.
- Ink, usual signature, date. Patient name + address. Your name, IMC, phone. First supply within 14 days. No repeats.
- Healthmail: same CD content; handwriting / wet signature not required.
✅ Examples
- MST Continus 10 mg MR tabs, one BD, 56 tabs (fifty-six)
- Oxycodone 5 mg IR caps, 1–2 q4–6h PRN pain (max 8/24h), 56 caps (fifty-six)
- Morphine sulfate 10 mg/5 ml oral soln, 2.5–5 ml (5–10 mg) q4h PRN, 100 ml (one hundred ml)
- Temazepam 10 mg tabs, one nocte PRN, mitte 21 tabs (twenty-one)
- Oxycodone 20 mg MR tabs, one BD, 56 tabs (fifty-six), 4 instalments of 14 tabs (fourteen) every 7 days
❌ Rejected if
- Printed CD lines with only a signature (paper).
- Quantity missing figures or words.
- “As directed” with no dose; missing IR vs MR / strength.
Educational reference only. Medical disclaimer