List of abbreviations used in medical prescriptions

Table columns:
Abbreviation or symbol
Latin, Greek, or New Latin
English
Possible confusion

Table rows:
cells: aa, āā, ĀĀ
ana
of each
cells: AAA
apply to affected area
abdominal aortic aneurysm
cells: a.c.
ante cibum
before meals
cells: a.c.h.s., ac&hs
ante cibum et hora somni
before meals and at bedtime
cells: a.d.
auris dextra
right ear
A single-storey "a" can be mistaken as an "o" which could read "o.d.", meaning right eye
cells: ad., add.
adde addatur
add let there be added
cells: 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.
cells: admov.
admove admoveatur
apply [or] add add; let there be added
cells: ad us.
ad usum
according to custom
cells: æq.
æquales
equal
cells: agit.
agita
agitate (stir or shake)
cells: alt. d., alt. dieb.
alternis diebus
every other day; on alternate days
cells: alt. h., alt. hor.
alternis horis
every other hour; at alternate hours
cells: a.m.
ante meridiem
morning, before noon
cells: amp.
ampulla
ampule (ampul, ampoule)
cells: amt
amount
cells: aq.
aqua
water
cells: aq. bull.
aqua bulliens
boiling water
cells: aq. com.
aqua communis
common water
cells: aq. dest.
aqua destillata
distilled water
cells: aq. ferv.
aqua fervens
hot water
cells: 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
cells: ATC
around the clock
cells: a.u.
auris utraque
both ears
"a" can be mistaken as an "o" which could read "o.u.", meaning both eyes
cells: BDS, b.d.s.
bis die sumendum
twice daily
cells: bib.
bibe
drink
cells: bis
bis
twice
cells: b.i.d., b.d.
bis in die
twice daily
AMA style avoids use of this abbreviation (spell out "twice a day")
cells: bis ind.
bis indies
twice a day
cells: bis in 7 d.
bis in septem diebus
twice a week
cells: BM
bowel movement
cells: BNF
British National Formulary
cells: bol.
bolus
as a large single dose (usually intravenously)
cells: BP, Ph.Br.
Pharmacopoeia Britannica
British Pharmacopoeia
cells: BS
blood sugar
cells: BSA
body surface area
cells: b.t.
bedtime
mistaken for "b.i.d", meaning twice daily
cells: bucc.
bucca
buccal (inside cheek)
cells: cap., caps.
capsula
capsule
cells: cap.
capiat
let him take (let the patient take)
cells: c.m.
cras mane
tomorrow morning
cells: c.m.s.
cras mane sumendus
to be taken tomorrow morning
cells: c, c.
cum
with (usually written with a bar on top of the "c")
cells: cib.
cibus
food
cells: 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)
cells: cf.
confer
compare
cells: c.n.
cras nocte
tomorrow night
cells: cochl.
cochleare
spoonful
cells: cochl. ampl.
cochleare amplum
an ample spoonful (a tablespoonful)
cells: cochl. infant.
cochleare infantis
a small spoonful (a teaspoonful)
cells: cochl. mag.
cochleare magnum
a large spoonful (a tablespoonful)
cells: cochl. mod.
cochleare modicum
a modest spoonful (a dessert-spoonful)
cells: cochl. parv.
cochleare parvum
a scant spoonful (a teaspoonful)
cells: colet.
coletur
let it be strained
cells: comp.
compositus
compound
cells: contin.
continuetur
let it be continued
cells: cpt.
capiat
let him take (let the patient take)
cells: cr., crm
cream
cells: CST
continue same treatment
cells: cuj.
cujus
of which
cells: c.v.
cras vespere
tomorrow evening
cells: cyath.
cyathus
a glassful
cells: cyath. vinos.
cyathus vinosus
a wine-glassful
cells: D, d.
die [or] dosis
days [or] doses
ambiguous meaning, write out "days" or "doses"
cells: D5LR
dextrose 5% in lactated Ringer's solution (intravenous sugar solution)
cells: D5NS
dextrose 5% in normal saline (0.9%) (intravenous sugar solution)
cells: D5W, D5W
dextrose 5% in water (intravenous sugar solution)
cells: D10W, D10W
dextrose 10% in water (intravenous sugar solution)
cells: da
da
give
cells: DAW
dispense as written (i.e., no generic substitution)
cells: DC, dc, D/C, disc
discontinue [or] discharge
ambiguous meaning
cells: decoct.
decoctum
decoction
cells: det.
detur
let it be given
cells: dieb. alt.
diebus alternis
every other day; on alternate days
cells: dil.
dilute
cells: dim.
dimidius
one-half
cells: d. in p. æ.
divide in partes æquales
divide into equal parts
cells: disp.
dispersible [or] dispense
cells: div.
divide
divide
cells: dL
deciliter
cells: DS
double strength
cells: d.t.d.
dentur tales doses
give of such doses
cells: 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.[7] Compare laudanum and paregoric.
cells: DW
distilled water [or] dextrose in water (intravenous sugar solution)
cells: elix.
elixir
elixir
cells: e.m.p.
ex modo prescripto
as directed (in the manner prescribed)
cells: emuls.
emulsum
emulsion
cells: et
et
and
cells: EOD
every other day
cells: ex aq.
ex aqua
in water
cells: exhib.
exhibiatur
let it be given
cells: f.
fiat
make; let it be made
cells: f.h.
fiat haustus
make a draught
cells: fl., fld.
fluidus
fluid (usually meaning specifically liquid in health care)
cells: f.m.
fiat mistura
make a mixture
cells: f. pil.
fiat pilula
make a pill
cells: f.s.a.
fiat secundum artem
make according to art
cells: ft.
fiat
make; let it be made
cells: g, gm
gram (modern SI symbol is g, not gm)
cells: garg.
gargarisma
gargle
cells: gr.
granum
grain
cells: gtt(s)
gutta(e)
drop(s)
cells: gutt.
gutta(e)
drop(s)
cells: H
hypodermic
cells: h, hr, hor.
hora
hour
cells: habt.
habeat
let him have
cells: hor. alt.
hora alternis
every other hour (every second hour; at alternate hours)
cells: hor. decub.
hora decubitus
at bedtime
cells: hor. intermed.
horis intermediis
at intermediate hours
cells: hor. tert.
horis tertiis
every third hour
cells: h.s.
hora somni (at the hour of sleep)
at bedtime [or] half-strength
ambiguous (2 meanings, easily conflated); spell out
cells: IBW
ideal body weight (for dosing based on clearance estimation)
cells: ID
intradermal
cells: IJ, inj.
injectio
injection
mistaken for "IV", meaning intravenously
cells: i.m., IM
intramuscular
cells: IN
intranasal
mistaken for "IM", meaning intramuscular, or "IV", meaning intravenously
cells: ind.
indies
daily
cells: inf.
infusum
infusion (extraction) / intravenous infusion
cells: i
unus tabuletta
one tablet
cells: ii
duo tabuletta
two tablets
cells: iii
tres tabuletta
three tablets
cells: IP
intraperitoneal
cells: IT
intrathecal
mistaken for other abbreviations; spell out
cells: IU
international unit
mistaken for "IV" or "10", spell out "international unit"
cells: i.v., IV
intravenous
cells: i.v.p., IVP
intravenous push
cells: IVPB
intravenous piggyback
cells: kg
kilogram
cells: LAS
label as such
cells: lat. dol.
lateri dolenti
to the painful side
cells: lb.
libra
pound
cells: l.c.d.
liquor carbonis detergens
coal tar solution
cells: lin
linimentum
liniment
cells: liq.
liquor
solution
cells: lot.
lotio
lotion
cells: M., m.
misce
mix
cells: mane
mane
in the morning
cells: max.
maximum
maximum
cells: mcg
microgram
Recommended replacement for "µg" which may be confused with "mg"
cells: mdi
metered dose inhaler
cells: m.d.u.
more dicto utendus
to be used as directed
cells: mEq
milliequivalent
cells: mg
milligram
cells: mg/dL
milligrams per deciliter
cells: MgSO4
magnesium sulfate
may be confused with "MSO4", spell out "magnesium sulfate"
cells: min.
minimum [or] minim [or] minutum
minimum [or] minim [or] minute
cells: mist.
mistura
mixture
cells: mit., mitt.
mitte
send
cells: mL
millilitre
cells: mod. præscript.
modo præscripto
in the manner directed
cells: MS
morphine sulfate or magnesium sulfate
can mean either morphine sulfate or magnesium sulfate, spell out either
cells: MSO4
morphine sulfate
may be confused with "MgSO4", spell out "morphine sulfate"
cells: nebul, neb.
nebula
a spray (such as for insufflation)- nebulizer
cells: NMT
not more than
cells: noct.
nocte
at night
cells: non rep.
non repetatur
no repeats (no refills)
cells: NPO, n.p.o.
nil per os
nothing by mouth
AMA style avoids use of this abbreviation (spell out "nothing by mouth")
cells: NS
normal saline (0.9%)
cells: 1/2NS
half-normal saline (0.45%)
cells: NTE
not to exceed
cells: o 2, o2
both eyes
"O2" usually means oxygen or oxygen therapy
cells: o.d.
omni die
every day (once daily) (preferred to "qd" in the UK[8])
cells: 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"
cells: o.m.
omni mane
every morning
cells: omn. bih.
omni bihora
every 2 hours
cells: omn. hor.
omni hora
every hour
cells: o.n.
omni nocte
every night
cells: OPD
once per day
cells: o.s.
oculus sinister
left eye
"o" can be mistaken as an "a" which could read "a.s.", meaning left ear
cells: o.u.
oculus uterque
both eyes
"o" can be mistaken as an "a" which could read "a.u.", meaning both ears
cells: oz
ounce
cells: p.
perstetur
continue
cells: part. æq.
partes æquales
equal parts
cells: per
per
by or through
cells: p.c.
post cibum
after meals
cells: p.c.h.s., pc&hs
post cibum et hora somni
after meals and at bedtime
cells: Ph.Br., BP
Pharmacopoeia Britannica
British Pharmacopoeia
cells: Ph.Eur.
Pharmacopoeia Europaea
European Pharmacopoeia
cells: Ph.Int.
Pharmacopoeia Internationalis
International Pharmacopoeia
cells: pig./pigm.
pigmentum
paint
cells: p.m.
post meridiem
evening or afternoon
cells: p.o.
per os
by mouth or orally
AMA style avoids use of this abbreviation (spell out "orally")
cells: ppt.
præparata
prepared
cells: p.r., PR
per rectum
rectally
cells: p.r.n., PRN
pro re nata
as needed
cells: pt.
perstetur
continue
cells: pulv.
pulvis
powder
cells: p.v., PV
per vaginam
vaginally
cells: q
quaque
every, per
cells: q.1 h, q.1°
quaque 1 hora
every 1 hour (can replace "1" with other numbers)
cells: q4PM
at 4 pm (can replace "4" with other numbers)
mistaken to mean every 4 hours
cells: q.a.d.
quaque alternis die
every other day
cells: q.a.m.
quaque die ante meridiem
every morning (every day before noon)
cells: 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")
cells: q.d.a.m.
quaque die ante meridiem
once daily in the morning
cells: q.d.p.m.
quaque die post meridiem
once daily in the evening
cells: q.d.s.
quarter die sumendus
4 times a day
can be mistaken for "qd" (every day)
cells: q.p.m.
quaque die post meridiem
every evening (every day after noon)
cells: q.h.
quaque hora
every hour
cells: q.h.s.
quaque hora somni
every night at bedtime
can be mistaken as "q.h.r." (every hour)
cells: 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")
cells: q.l.
quantum libet
as much as is requisite
cells: q.n.
quaque nocte
every night
can be mistaken as "q.h." (every hour)
cells: 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")
cells: q.q.
quaque
every;[9] each
cells: q.q.h.
quarter quaque hora
every 4 hours
cells: q.s.
quantum sufficiat (subjunctive), quantum sufficit (indicative), quantum satis
as much as suffices; a sufficient quantity
cells: q.v.
quantum volueris [or] quod vide
at will [or] which see
cells: QWK
every week
cells: rep., rept.
repetatur
repeats
cells: RL, R/L
Ringer's lactate
cells: Rx, Rx, RX, , ℞, Rp
recipe
take (often effectively a noun meaning "prescription"—medical prescription or prescription drug)
cells: rep.
repetatur
let it be repeated
cells: s.
signa
write (write on the label)
cells: s.a.
secundum artem
according to the art (accepted practice or best practice)
cells: SC
subcutaneous
"SC" can be mistaken for "SL," meaning sublingual. See also SQ
cells: sem.
semen
seed
cells: s.i.d.
semel in die
once a day
used exclusively in veterinary medicine
cells: sig.
signa, signetur
write (write on the label)
cells: s
sine
without (usually written with a bar on top of the "s")
cells: sing.
singulorum
of each
cells: SL, s.l.
sub lingua
sublingually, under the tongue
cells: SOB
shortness of breath
cells: sol.
solutio
solution
cells: s.o.s., si op. sit
si opus sit
if there is a need
cells: s.s., SS
semisse
one-half [or] sliding scale
mistaken for "55" or "1/2"
cells: SSI
sliding scale insulin or sliding scale regular insulin
mistaken to mean "strong solution of iodine" or "selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor". See also SSRI
cells: SQ
subcutaneously
"SQ" can be mistaken for "5Q" meaning "5 every dose". See also SC
cells: SSRI
selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor [or] sliding scale regular insulin
ambiguous. Do not abbreviate
cells: st.
stet
let it stand (for example, for settling)
cells: stat
statim
immediately
cells: SubQ
subcutaneously
cells: sum.
sumat [or] sumendum
let him take [or] let it be taken
cells: supp.
suppositorium
suppository
cells: susp.
suspensio
suspension
cells: syr.
syrupus
syrup
cells: tab.
tabella
tablet
cells: tal., t.
talus
such
cells: tbsp
tablespoon
cells: t.d.s., TDS
ter die sumendum
3 times a day
cells: 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")
cells: tinct.
tinctura
tincture
cells: t.i.w.
3 times a week
mistaken for "twice a week"
cells: top.
topical
cells: TPN
total parenteral nutrition
cells: tr, tinc., tinct.
tinctura
tincture
cells: trit.
triturate
grind to a powder
cells: troch.
trochiscus
lozenge
cells: tsp
teaspoon
cells: U
unit
mistaken for a "4", "0" or "cc", spell out "unit"
cells: u.d., ut. dict.
ut dictum
as directed
cells: ung.
unguentum
ointment
cells: USP
United States Pharmacopeia
cells: vag.
vagine
vaginally
cells: w
with
cells: w/a
while awake
cells: w/f
with food (with meals)
cells: w/o
without
cells: X, x
times
cells: YO, y.o.
years old
cells: μg
microgram
mistaken for "mg", meaning milligram
cells: at
mistaken for "2"; spell out "at"
cells: >
greater than
mistaken for a "7"
cells: <
less than
mistaken for an "L"
cells: ℔
libra
pound
cells: ℥
uncia
ounce
cells: ʒ
drachma
dram (drachm)
cells: ℈
scrupulus
scruple

Questions about this table:
originalText: what is the meaning of sig on prescriptions
answer: answerTexts: write (write on the label)