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Medication List Table From Any List
Paste medications in any form and get a clean table with generic names, dose, route, frequency and indication, with anything unclear flagged.
River's medication list table turns a list in any form, whether typed shorthand, a pharmacy printout or a patient's own description, into a clean table. Each medication gets its generic name with the brand in brackets, dose, route, frequency and indication, checked against the National Library of Medicine's drug name database so misspellings and brand names are standardized.
It never fills in what the list does not say. A missing dose or an unclear frequency is flagged in the table, and possible problems such as two drugs from the same class or an error-prone abbreviation are listed for a clinician or pharmacist to resolve. Choose the patient version and the table is rewritten in plain words, with what each medicine is for.
This is for nurses and pharmacists building lists at admission or discharge, and for caregivers organizing a parent's medications.
Medication Documentation Best Practices
Complete medication documentation includes five key elements: medication name (generic and brand if relevant), dose (amount and units), route (PO, IV, SQ, etc.), frequency (daily, BID, PRN, etc.), and indication (what condition is this treating). Additional useful information includes prescriber, start date, and any special instructions (take with food, hold if systolic BP <100, etc.). Always use generic names as primary identifier with brand name in parentheses if needed. Specify dose clearly with units (mg, mcg, units, etc.). Route should be unambiguous. Frequency should be specific (not just 'as directed').
Medication reconciliation is systematic process of obtaining complete medication list, comparing medications across care transitions, and resolving discrepancies. This happens at every care transition: admission, transfer between units, discharge, outpatient visits. Ask patients about all medications including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, herbals, supplements, and vitamins. Verify names, doses, routes, frequencies. Identify any discrepancies between what patient is taking and what's documented. Document intentional changes versus unintentional discrepancies. Good medication reconciliation prevents adverse drug events.
Organize medication lists systematically. Group by category (cardiac medications, diabetes medications, etc.) or alphabetically. Be consistent with format. Use tables for clarity. Include start/stop dates when relevant. Note if medication was continued, discontinued, or changed at this encounter. For discharge medication lists, clearly indicate new medications, changed medications, and discontinued medications. Provide patients with written medication list they can understand. Use both generic and brand names patients recognize. Include plain-language indication. Clear medication communication prevents errors and improves adherence.
How it works
Paste the list
Any format: shorthand, a printout, or a description of the bottles, with identifiers removed if needed.
Get the table
One row per medication, names standardized, with every unclear entry flagged in the table.
Resolve the flags
Confirm the flagged entries with the patient, pharmacy or prescriber, then update the table in chat.
What you get
- Generic names standardized against a national drug name database, with brands in brackets
- Dose, route, frequency and indication in separate columns, with gaps marked
- Possible duplications and error-prone abbreviations flagged for review, never silently changed
- A plain-language version for patients and caregivers on request
Common questions
Should I use generic or brand names?
Use generic names as primary identifier with brand name in parentheses if it helps with recognition. Example: 'metformin (Glucophage)' or 'atorvastatin (Lipitor).' Generic names are standardized and prevent confusion. Many patients know medications by brand name, so including both improves communication. For prescribing and documentation, generic names are standard. For patient communication, include whichever name they recognize.
How specific should frequency be?
Be very specific. Instead of 'as directed,' document exact frequency: 'daily,' 'twice daily,' 'every 8 hours,' 'at bedtime,' etc. For PRN medications, include indication and maximum frequency: 'every 4-6 hours as needed for pain, maximum 6 doses per day.' Specific frequency prevents errors and helps patients know exactly when to take medications. Times are better than frequencies when exact timing matters: '8am and 8pm' rather than 'twice daily' if timing is critical.
What about PRN medications?
For PRN (as needed) medications, include three things: frequency parameters (how often can it be taken), indication (what is it for), and maximum daily dose if applicable. Example: 'acetaminophen 500mg PO every 6 hours PRN pain or fever, maximum 3000mg daily.' This tells patient when they can take medication, what symptom it treats, and safety limit. Don't just document 'PRN' without details.
How do I document medication changes?
Clearly mark new medications (NEW), changed doses (CHANGED), and discontinued medications (DISCONTINUED or STOPPED). This is especially important at discharge. Example medication list might show: 'lisinopril 20mg PO daily (INCREASED from 10mg)' or 'metoprolol 50mg PO BID (NEW)' or 'hydrochlorothiazide 25mg daily (DISCONTINUED).' This helps receiving providers understand what changed and prevents confusion about whether to continue old regimens or new ones.
Can I paste real patient details?
Follow your organization's policy first. If your organization has a business associate agreement with River, work within its terms. If not, remove names, record numbers, addresses, exact dates and other identifiers before pasting. A medication list rarely needs a name on it to be useful.
Medication List Table From Any List
Describe what you need, add any files you have, and your workspace opens with the work already underway.