Types of medical prescriptions: colors, stripes, validity and everything you need to know!

Written and reviewed by:
Yinflow.Life
Published in:
Sep 10, 2024

In this guide, you will learn about the different types of medical prescriptions: from stripes and colors to the differences between digital and physical prescriptions, including the validity of each one and which medications require a physical route.

Medical prescriptions, whether physical or digital, are essential for advising patients and pharmacists on the correct use of medications. Each type of prescription has its colors and shapes, indicating the level of control required for prescription and dispensing.

In Brazil, drug prescriptions follow strict regulations to ensure the safe and responsible use of controlled substances. Therefore, understanding the different types of medical prescriptions and their specificities is crucial for complying with these regulations and for the safe use of medications.



Shall we go?

What are the main types of medications?

In the world of health, there are several types of medications, such as herbal, allopathic, homeopathic, similar, generic, reference and manipulated medications.

However, in terms of prescription, these medications can be classified as to the level of control required: controlled use drugs and commonly used drugs.

1. Medications for controlled use

Drugs whose prescription, dispensing, and use are regulated by specific regulations because of their potential to cause addiction, abuse, or adverse effects. Examples include anxiolytics, opioids, and stimulants.

2. Commonly used medications

Drugs that are not at high risk of addiction or serious adverse effects and that can be sold without strict control. Examples include common pain relievers, anti-inflammatory drugs, and antithermics.

Types of stripes

1. Black stripe

  • Description: It indicates medications with a high risk of causing physical or psychological dependence.
  • Examples: Diazepam, Clonazepam, Haloperidol.
  • Indication on the Package: “Sale under a doctor's prescription - abuse of this medication may cause addiction.”

2. Red stripe with withheld recipe

  • Description: Drugs that require special control and whose prescription must be withheld by the pharmacy.
  • Examples: Some antibiotics, anticonvulsants.
  • Indication on the Package: “Sale under medical prescription”.

3. Red stripe without a withheld prescription

  • Description: Drugs that require a doctor's prescription, but the prescription does not have to be withheld by the pharmacy.
  • Examples: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in some presentations.
  • Indication on the Package: “Sale under medical prescription”.

4. Yellow stripe

  • Description: Drugs that are controlled because of their potential to cause serious adverse effects.
  • Examples: Some medications for treating rare diseases.
  • Indication on the Package: It may contain a yellow stripe or other specific indication according to regulations.

Types of prescriptions for controlled-use drugs

1. Yellow Recipe or Recipe A

  • Description: Used to prescribe narcotic drugs and some higher-risk psychotropic drugs.
  • Features:
    • Printed on yellow paper.
    • Issued in two copies: one is retained at the pharmacy and the other is returned to the patient.
    • Valid for 30 days from the date of issue.
  • Format: Physics.
  • Examples of Medications: Morphine, Methadone.
  • Types of Medications: Controlled use.
  • Types of Stripes: Black stripe.

2. Blue Recipe or Recipe B

  • Description: Used to prescribe psychotropic medications and some narcotic medications that present a risk of abuse and dependence, but are considered to have a lower risk compared to the Yellow Prescription drugs (Recipe A).
  • Features:
    • Printed on blue paper.
    • Issued in two copies: one is retained at the pharmacy and the other is returned to the patient.
    • Valid for 30 days from the date of issue.
  • Format: Physics.
  • Examples of Medications: Benzodiazepines, Amphetamines.
  • Types of Medications: Controlled use.
  • Types of Stripes: Black stripe.

3. White Prescribe for Special Control or Special Notification - Type C

  • Description: It is generally reserved for prescription drugs, but which have a lower potential for abuse or dependence compared to substances on lists A and B.
  • Features:
    • Can be printed on white paper.
    • Issued in two copies: one is retained at the pharmacy and the other is returned to the patient.
    • Valid for 30 days from the date of issue.
  • Format: Physical and digital.
  • Examples of Medications: Antidepressants (e.g., Fluoxetine, Sertraline), antipsychotics (e.g., Olanzapine), medications for neuropathic pain (e.g., Pregabalin), and some mild anxiolytic and sedative medications.
  • Types of Medications: Controlled use.
  • Types of Stripes: Red stripe with recipe withheld.

4. Revenue Notification

  • Description: It is a regulatory formality, that is, a standardized control document that accompanies the recipe. It may include all of the above categories, depending on the type of substance prescribed. The term “notification” refers to the fact that the doctor notifies the competent authority when issuing a controlled prescription.
  • Notification types:
    • Notification A: It refers to the prescription with a yellow prescription.
    • Notification B: It refers to the prescription with a blue prescription.
    • Special Notification (White): It refers to the white special control prescription, which applies to red-striped prescription drugs.

Types of prescriptions for commonly used drugs

1. Simple Recipe

  • Description: Used for most commonly used medications that require a doctor's prescription.
  • Features:
    • Printed on plain white paper.
    • It does not require retention by the pharmacy.
    • It can be issued in a copy.
  • Format: Physical and digital.
  • Examples of Medications: Antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, some pain relievers and antithermic agents.
  • Types of Medications: Common use.
  • Types of Stripes: Stripe red with no prescription withheld.

2. Special Control Recipe for Antimicrobials

  • Description: Used for the prescription of antimicrobial drugs.
  • Features:
    • Printed on white paper.
    • Issued in two copies: one copy is retained at the pharmacy and the other is returned to the patient.
    • Valid for 10 days from the date of issue.
  • Format: Physical and digital.
  • Examples of Medications: Amoxicillin, Ciprofloxacin.
  • Types of Medications: Common use.
  • Types of Stripes: Red stripe with no prescription withheld.

3. Special Control Recipe (Special Control White Prescription)

  • Description: While it is more common for controlled-use medications, some commonly used medications that require special control may also use this type of prescription.
  • Features:
    • Can be printed on white paper.
    • Issued in two copies: one is retained at the pharmacy and the other is returned to the patient.
    • Valid for 30 days from the date of issue.
  • Format: Physical and digital.
  • Examples of Medications: Some medications for chronic illnesses that require closer monitoring.
  • Types of Medications: Common use.
  • Types of Stripes: Red stripe with no prescription withheld.

4. Prescription Exempt Prescription (Exempt Prescription Drugs - MIP)

  • Description: Drugs that can be purchased without the need for a doctor's prescription.
  • Features:
    • It does not require a doctor's prescription.
    • Available for direct purchase at the pharmacy counter.
  • Format: Not applicable.
  • Examples of Medications: Common pain relievers such as paracetamol and ibuprofen, antithermics, some antacids, and antiallergic drugs.
  • Types of Medications: Common use.
  • Types of Stripes: Stripe-free (MIP).

See the table below for a summary:

Tipo de Receita
Uso Controlado / Comum
Tipos de Tarjas
Formato
Tipos de Medicamentos
Receita amarela ou A
Uso Controlado
Tarja Preta
Física
Morfina, Metadona
Receita azul ou B
Uso Controlado
Tarja Preta
Física
Benzodiazepínicos, Anfetaminas
Receituário Branco de Controle Especial ou Notificação Especial - Tipo C
Uso Controlado
Tarja Vermelha com Receita Retida
Física ou Digital
Antidepressivos (ex: Fluoxetina, Sertralina), antipsicóticos (ex: Olanzapina), medicamentos para dor neuropática (ex: Pregabalina), ansiolíticos e sedativos leves
Receita Simples
Uso Comum
Tarja Vermelha sem Receita Retida
Física ou Digital
Antibióticos, Anti-inflamatórios
Receita de Controle Especial (Receituário Branco de Controle Especial)
Uso Comum
Tarja Vermelha com Receita Retida
Física ou Digital
Medicamentos para doenças crônicas
Receita Isenta de Prescrição (MIP)
Uso Comum
Sem tarja (MIP)
Não aplicável
Paracetamol, Ibuprofeno, Antiácidos

In summary, medications are primarily classified into controlled use and common use, with different stripes indicating the level of control and associated risk.

Prescriptions vary by drug category, with specific types of prescriptions to ensure safety and strict control over prescribing and dispensing.

Resolutions and Ordinances for consultation

The information contained in this document was prepared based on various sources, including drug labels, regulations of the National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA), and orders from the Ministry of Health.


For further information, consult the following laws and regulations:


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