List of abbreviations used in medical prescriptions - wikipedia List of abbreviations used in medical prescriptions This is a list of abbreviations used in medical prescriptions, including hospital orders ( the patient - directed part of which is referred to as sig codes ). This list does not include abbreviations for pharmaceuticals or drug name suffixes such as CD, CR, ER, XT ( See Time release technology § List of abbreviations for those ). Capitalization and the use of periods are a matter of style. In the list, abbreviations in English are capitalized whereas those in Latin are not. These abbreviations can be verified in reference works, both recent and older. Some of those works ( such as Wyeth 1901 ) are so comprehensive that their entire content can not be reproduced here. This list includes all that are frequently encountered in today 's health care in English - speaking regions. Some of these are obsolete ( such as the apothecaries ' units ) ; others remain current. Abbreviations which are deprecated by the Joint Commission are marked in red. Those abbreviations which are deprecated by other organizations, such as the Institute for Safe Medication Practices ( ISMP ) and the American Medical Association ( AMA ), are marked in orange. The Joint Commission is an independent, non-profit, non-governmental organization which offers accreditation to hospitals and other health care organizations in the United States. While their recommendations are not binding on U.S. physicians, they are required of organizations who wish accreditation by the Joint Commission. Contents 1 Table 2 Similarity of handwritten letters 3 Numerical notation 4 Currently discouraged practices 5 See also 6 References 7 External links Table Key Not recommended for use in the United States by the Joint Commission Not recommended for use by other organizations, such as the ISMP ( Institute for Safe Medication Practices ) ) Abbreviation or symbol Latin, Greek, or New Latin English Possible confusion aa, āā, ĀĀ ana of each AAA apply to affected area abdominal aortic aneurysm a.c. ante cibum before meals a.c.h.s., ac&hs ante cibum et hora somni before meals and at bedtime a.d. auris dextra right ear A single - storey `` a '' can be mistaken as an `` o '' which could read `` o.d. '', meaning right eye ad., add. adde addatur add let there be added ad lib. ad libitum Latin, `` at one 's pleasure '' ; as much as one desires ; freely Compare pro re nata, `` as needed '', which by convention includes an aspect of `` up to some maximum ''. Similarly, compare s.o.s., q.l., and q.s. admov. admove admoveatur apply ( or ) add add ; let there be added ad us. ad usum according to custom æq. æquales equal agit. agita agitate ( stir or shake ) alt. d., alt. dieb. alternis diebus every other day ; on alternate days alt. h., alt. hor. alternis horis every other hour ; at alternate hours a.m. ante meridiem morning, before noon amp. ampulla ampule ( ampul, ampoule ) amt amount aq. aqua water aq. bull. aqua bulliens boiling water aq. com. aqua communis common water aq. dest. aqua destillata distilled water aq. ferv. aqua fervens hot water a.l., a.s. auris laeva, auris sinistra left ear `` a '' can be mistaken as an `` o '' which could read `` o.s. '' or `` o.l '', meaning left eye ATC around the clock a.u. auris utraque both ears `` a '' can be mistaken as an `` o '' which could read `` o.u. '', meaning both eyes BDS, b.d.s. bis die sumendum twice daily bib. bibe drink bis bis twice b.i.d., b.d. bis in die twice daily AMA style avoids use of this abbreviation ( spell out `` twice a day '' ) bis ind. bis indies twice a day bis in 7 d. bis in septem diebus twice a week BM bowel movement BNF British National Formulary bol. bolus as a large single dose ( usually intravenously ) BP, Ph.Br. Pharmacopoeia Britannica British Pharmacopoeia BS blood sugar BSA body surface area b.t. bedtime mistaken for `` b.i.d '', meaning twice daily bucc. bucca buccal ( inside cheek ) cap., caps. capsula capsule cap. capiat let him take ( let the patient take ) c.m. cras mane tomorrow morning c.m.s. cras mane sumendus to be taken tomorrow morning c, c. cum with ( usually written with a bar on top of the `` c '' ) cib. cibus food c.c. cum cibo with food ( or ) cubic centimetre mistaken for `` U '', meaning units ; also has an ambiguous meaning ; use `` mL '' or `` milliliters '' ( 1 cm3 = 1 mL ) cf. confer compare c.n. cras nocte tomorrow night cochl. cochleare spoonful cochl. ampl. cochleare amplum an ample spoonful ( a tablespoonful ) cochl. infant. cochleare infantis a small spoonful ( a teaspoonful ) cochl. mag. cochleare magnum a large spoonful ( a tablespoonful ) cochl. mod. cochleare modicum a modest spoonful ( a dessert - spoonful ) cochl. parv. cochleare parvum a scant spoonful ( a teaspoonful ) colet. coletur let it be strained comp. compositus compound contin. continuetur let it be continued cpt. capiat let him take ( let the patient take ) cr., crm cream CST continue same treatment cuj. cujus of which c.v. cras vespere tomorrow evening cyath. cyathus a glassful cyath. vinos. cyathus vinosus a wine - glassful D, d. die ( or ) dosis days ( or ) doses ambiguous meaning, write out `` days '' or `` doses '' D5LR dextrose 5 % in lactated Ringer 's solution ( intravenous sugar solution ) D5NS dextrose 5 % in normal saline ( 0.9 % ) ( intravenous sugar solution ) D5W, D W dextrose 5 % in water ( intravenous sugar solution ) D10W, D W dextrose 10 % in water ( intravenous sugar solution ) da da give DAW dispense as written ( i.e., no generic substitution ) DC, dc, D / C, disc discontinue ( or ) discharge ambiguous meaning decoct. decoctum decoction det. detur let it be given dieb. alt. diebus alternis every other day ; on alternate days dil. dilute dim. dimidius one - half d. in p. æ. divide in partes æquales divide into equal parts disp. dispersible ( or ) dispense div. divide divide dL deciliter DS double strength d.t.d. dentur tales doses give of such doses DTO deodorized tincture of opium can easily be confused with `` diluted tincture of opium, '' which is 1 / 25th the strength of deodorized tincture of opium ; deaths have resulted due to massive morphine overdose. Compare laudanum and paregoric. DW distilled water ( or ) dextrose in water ( intravenous sugar solution ) elix. elixir elixir e.m.p. ex modo prescripto as directed ( in the manner prescribed ) emuls. emulsum emulsion et et and EOD every other day ex aq. ex aqua in water exhib. exhibiatur let it be given f. fiat make ; let it be made f.h. fiat haustus make a draught fl., fld. fluidus fluid ( usually meaning specifically liquid in health care ) f.m. fiat mistura make a mixture f. pil. fiat pilula make a pill f.s.a. fiat secundum artem make according to art ft. fiat make ; let it be made g, gm gram ( modern SI symbol is g, not gm ) garg. gargarisma gargle gr. granum grain gtt ( s ) gutta ( e ) drop ( s ) gutt. gutta ( e ) drop ( s ) hypodermic h, hr, hor. hora hour habt. habeat let him have hor. alt. hora alternis every other hour ( every second hour ; at alternate hours ) hor. decub. hora decubitus at bedtime hor. intermed. horis intermediis at intermediate hours hor. tert. horis tertiis every third hour h.s. hora somni ( at the hour of sleep ) at bedtime ( or ) half - strength ambiguous ( 2 meanings, easily conflated ) ; spell out IBW ideal body weight ( for dosing based on clearance estimation ) ID intradermal IJ, inj. injectio injection mistaken for `` IV '', meaning intravenously i.m., IM intramuscular IN intranasal mistaken for `` IM '', meaning intramuscular, or `` IV '', meaning intravenously ind. indies daily inf. infusum infusion ( extraction ) / intravenous infusion i unus tabuletta one tablet ii duo tabuletta two tablets iii tres tabuletta three tablets IP intraperitoneal IT intrathecal mistaken for other abbreviations ; spell out IU international unit mistaken for `` IV '' or `` 10 '', spell out `` international unit '' i.v., IV intravenous i.v.p., IVP intravenous push IVPB intravenous piggyback kg kilogram LAS label as such lat. dol. lateri dolenti to the painful side lb. libra pound l.c.d. liquor carbonis detergens coal tar solution lin linimentum liniment liq. liquor solution lot. lotio lotion M., m. misce mix mane mane in the morning max. maximum maximum mcg microgram Recommended replacement for `` μg '' which may be confused with `` mg '' mdi metered dose inhaler m.d.u. more dicto utendus to be used as directed mEq milliequivalent mg milligram mg / dL milligrams per deciliter MgSO4 magnesium sulfate may be confused with `` MSO4 '', spell out `` magnesium sulfate '' min. minimum ( or ) minim ( or ) minutum minimum ( or ) minim ( or ) minute mist. mistura mixture mit., mitt. mitte send mL millilitre mod. præscript. modo præscripto in the manner directed MS morphine sulfate or magnesium sulfate can mean either morphine sulfate or magnesium sulfate, spell out either MSO4 morphine sulfate may be confused with `` MgSO4 '', spell out `` morphine sulfate '' nebul, neb. nebula a spray ( such as for insufflation ) - nebulizer NMT not more than noct. nocte at night non rep. non repetatur no repeats ( no refills ) NPO, n.p.o. nil per os nothing by mouth AMA style avoids use of this abbreviation ( spell out `` nothing by mouth '' ) NS normal saline ( 0.9 % ) 1 / 2NS half - normal saline ( 0.45 % ) NTE not to exceed o 2, o both eyes `` O '' usually means oxygen or oxygen therapy o.d. omni die every day ( once daily ) ( preferred to `` qd '' in the UK ) o.d. oculus dexter right eye `` o '' can be mistaken as an `` a '' which could read `` a.d. '', meaning right ear, confusion with `` omni die '' o.m. omni mane every morning omn. bih. omni bihora every 2 hours omn. hor. omni hora every hour o.n. omni nocte every night OPD once per day o.s. oculus sinister left eye `` o '' can be mistaken as an `` a '' which could read `` a.s. '', meaning left ear o.u. oculus uterque both eyes `` o '' can be mistaken as an `` a '' which could read `` a.u. '', meaning both ears oz ounce p. perstetur continue part. æq. partes æquales equal parts per per by or through p.c. post cibum after meals p.c.h.s., pc&hs post cibum et hora somni after meals and at bedtime Ph.Br., BP Pharmacopoeia Britannica British Pharmacopoeia Ph. Eur. Pharmacopoeia Europaea European Pharmacopoeia Ph.Int. Pharmacopoeia Internationalis International Pharmacopoeia pig. / pigm. pigmentum paint p.m. post meridiem evening or afternoon p.o. per os by mouth or orally AMA style avoids use of this abbreviation ( spell out `` orally '' ) ppt. præparata prepared p.r., PR per rectum rectally p.r.n., PRN pro re nata as needed pt. perstetur continue pulv. pulvis powder p.v., PV per vaginam vaginally q quaque every, per q. 1 h, q. 1 ° quaque 1 hora every 1 hour ( can replace `` 1 '' with other numbers ) q4PM at 4 pm ( can replace `` 4 '' with other numbers ) mistaken to mean every 4 hours q.a.d. quaque alternis die every other day q.a.m. quaque die ante meridiem every morning ( every day before noon ) q.d. / q. 1. d. quaque die every day mistaken for `` QOD '' or `` qds, '' spell out `` every day '' or `` daily ''. AMA style avoids use of this abbreviation ( spell out `` every day '' ) q.d.a.m. quaque die ante meridiem once daily in the morning q.d.p.m. quaque die post meridiem once daily in the evening q.d.s. quarter die sumendus 4 times a day can be mistaken for `` qd '' ( every day ) q.p.m. quaque die post meridiem every evening ( every day after noon ) q.h. quaque hora every hour q.h.s. quaque hora somni every night at bedtime can be mistaken as `` q.h.r. '' ( every hour ) q.i.d. quarter in die 4 times a day can be mistaken for `` qd '' or `` qod, '' write out `` 4 times a day ''. AMA style avoids use of this abbreviation ( spell out `` 4 times a day '' ) q.l. quantum libet as much as is requisite q.n. quaque nocte every night can be mistaken as `` q.h. '' ( every hour ) q.o.d. quaque altera die every other day mistaken for `` QD, '' spell out `` every other day ''. AMA style avoids use of this abbreviation ( spell out `` every other day '' ) q.q. quaque every ; each q.q.h. quarter quaque hora every 4 hours q.s. quantum sufficiat ( subjunctive ), quantum sufficit ( indicative ), quantum satis as much as suffices ; a sufficient quantity q.v. quantum volueris ( or ) quod vide at will ( or ) which see QWK every week rep., rept. repetatur repeats RL, R / L Ringer 's lactate Rx, R, RX,, ℞, Rp recipe take ( often effectively a noun meaning `` prescription '' -- medical prescription or prescription drug ) rep. repetatur let it be repeated s. signa write ( write on the label ) s.a. secundum artem according to the art ( accepted practice or best practice ) SC subcutaneous `` SC '' can be mistaken for `` SL, '' meaning sublingual. See also SQ sem. semen seed s.i.d. semel in die once a day used exclusively in veterinary medicine sig. signa, signetur write ( write on the label ) s sine without ( usually written with a bar on top of the `` s '' ) sing. singulorum of each SL, s.l. sub lingua sublingually, under the tongue SOB shortness of breath sol. solutio solution s.o.s., si op. sit si opus sit if there is a need s.s., SS semisse one - half ( or ) sliding scale mistaken for `` 55 '' or `` 1 / 2 '' SSI sliding scale insulin or sliding scale regular insulin mistaken to mean `` strong solution of iodine '' or `` selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor ''. See also SSRI SQ subcutaneously `` SQ '' can be mistaken for `` 5Q '' meaning `` 5 every dose ''. See also SC SSRI selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor ( or ) sliding scale regular insulin ambiguous. Do not abbreviate st. stet let it stand ( for example, for settling ) stat statim immediately SubQ subcutaneously sum. sumat ( or ) sumendum let him take ( or ) let it be taken supp. suppositorium suppository susp. suspensio suspension syr. syrupus syrup tab. tabella tablet tal., t. talus such tbsp tablespoon t.d.s., TDS ter die sumendum 3 times a day t.i.d., t.d. ter in die 3 times a day AMA style avoids use of this abbreviation ( spell out `` 3 times a day '' ) tinct. tinctura tincture t.i.w. 3 times a week mistaken for `` twice a week '' top. topical TPN total parenteral nutrition tr, tinc., tinct. tinctura tincture trit. triturate grind to a powder troch. trochiscus lozenge tsp teaspoon U unit mistaken for a `` 4 '', `` 0 '' or `` cc '', spell out `` unit '' u.d., ut. dict. ut dictum as directed ung. unguentum ointment USP United States Pharmacopeia vag. vagine vaginally w with w / a while awake w / f with food ( with meals ) w / o without X, x times YO, y.o. years old μg microgram mistaken for `` mg '', meaning milligram @ at mistaken for `` 2 '' ; spell out `` at '' > greater than mistaken for a `` 7 '' < less than mistaken for an `` L '' ℔ libra pound ℥ uncia ounce ʒ drachma dram ( drachm ) ℈ scrupulus scruple Similarity of handwritten letters Especially in handwritten prescriptions or orders, and most especially in hasty handwriting ( which is the usual kind ), letter shape can be ambiguous. The example below compares `` a '' and `` o '' in a script where both consist of an incoming stroke, a loop from about 12 o'clock, and an outgoing stroke. They differ only in the angle of the latter. Cursive script ' a ' and capital ' A ' in the U.S. D'Nealian script style Cursive script ' o ' and capital ' O ' in the U.S. D'Nealian script style Numerical notation When expressing a numerical quantity, Roman numerals are commonly used in place of arabic digits so as to avoid confusion. The numbers 1 - 3 ( I, II, III ), usually written as upper - case Roman numerals, often have the appearance of a capital `` T '' or a series of capital `` T 's '' with a dot above each `` T. '' They are also sometimes written as lower - case Roman numerals ( i, ii, iii ). Currently discouraged practices Abbreviating names of drugs Using apothecary 's units Using trailing zeros or not using a leading zero See also List of medical abbreviations References Jump up ^ Johnston, Mike ( 2006 ). The pharmacy technician series : Fundamentals of pharmacy practice. Pearson Prentice Hall. p. 24. ISBN 9780131147515. Jump up ^ Davidson, Thomas, ed. ( 1907 ), Chambers 's Twentieth Century Dictionary of the English Language, W & R Chambers Ltd. Jump up ^ Kilner, Walter B., ed. ( 1886 ), A Compendium of Modern Pharmacy and Druggists ' Formulary, HW Rokker. ^ Jump up to : John Wyeth & Brother ( 1901 ), An Epitome of Therapeutics : With Special Reference to the Laboratory Products of John Wyeth & Brother, John Wyeth & Brother. Jump up ^ `` The Official `` Do Not Use '' List of Abbreviations '' ( PDF ). The Joint Commission. Archived from the original ( PDF ) on 10 March 2013. Retrieved 23 August 2012. Jump up ^ `` ISMP 's List of Error Prone Abbreviations, Symbols, and Dose Designations '' ( PDF ). Institute for Safe Medication Practices. Retrieved 11 February 2011. Jump up ^ `` Recurring Confusion Between Opium Tincture and Paregoric ''. Pharmacy Times. Retrieved 2015 - 01 - 19. Jump up ^ BNF ( British National Formulary ) - published twice yearly by the British Medical Association and Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain Jump up ^ Bennett, Reginald Robert ( 1906 ), Medical and Pharmaceutical Latin for Students of Pharmacy and Medicine, J. & A. Churchill. Public domain ; free ebook at Google Books. Subtitle : A Guide to the Grammatical Construction and Translation of Physicians ' Prescriptions, Including Extensive Vocabularies and an Appendix Upon Foreign Prescriptions. External links Pharmacy-Tech-Resources.com. `` Dispense As Written Codes Explained ''. Medical abbreviations 0 -- 9 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Latin abbreviations Prescription abbreviations Acronyms in healthcare Abbreviations for medical organisations and personnel Abbreviations for diseases and disorders Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_abbreviations_used_in_medical_prescriptions&oldid=814354976 '' Categories : Lists of medical abbreviations Hidden categories : Wikipedia articles needing clarification from February 2017 Talk Contents About Wikipedia Čeština Esperanto فارسی Polski 中文 Edit links This page was last edited on 8 December 2017, at 08 : 41. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution - ShareAlike License ; additional terms may apply. By using this site, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Wikipedia ® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization. About Wikipedia

Question: what is the meaning of sig on prescriptions
Answer: write (write on the label)