QD, BID, PO, PRN... Your prescription looks like a secret code? Here's the translation of all medical abbreviations used on prescriptions.
Your doctor just prescribed "Amoxicillin 500mg cap PO TID x7d #21". You nodded as if you understood, but inside you're wondering what all that means. This guide decodes the secret language of prescriptions.
Good news
Your pharmacist understands these abbreviations perfectly and will explain everything. But it's always useful to understand what you're being prescribed!
Dosage Forms (Type of Medication)
Form Abbreviations
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| cap | Capsule |
| tab | Tablet |
| supp | Suppository |
| amp | Ampule |
| sol | Solution |
| susp | Suspension |
| ung or oint | Ointment |
| cr | Cream |
| gtt | Drops (from Latin "guttae") |
| inj | Injection |
| loz | Lozenge |
| syr | Syrup |
Concrete Examples
- "Tylenol 500mg tab" = Tylenol 500 milligrams in tablet form
- "Amoxicillin susp" = Amoxicillin in suspension (liquid)
- "Motrin cap" = Motrin in capsule form
Dosage Frequency (How Often to Take)
Frequency Abbreviations
QD
Once daily
BID
Twice daily
TID
Three times daily
QID
Four times daily
| Abbreviation | Meaning | Origin |
|---|---|---|
| QD | Once daily | Latin "quaque die" |
| BID | Twice daily | Latin "bis in die" |
| TID | Three times daily | Latin "ter in die" |
| QID | Four times daily | Latin "quater in die" |
| Q4H | Every 4 hours | |
| Q6H | Every 6 hours | |
| Q8H | Every 8 hours | |
| QHS | At bedtime | Latin "hora somni" |
| QAM | Every morning | |
| QPM | Every evening |
Timing Abbreviations
When to Take the Medication
| Abbreviation | Meaning | Origin |
|---|---|---|
| AC | Before meals | Latin "ante cibum" |
| PC | After meals | Latin "post cibum" |
| HS | At bedtime | Latin "hora somni" |
| PRN | As needed | Latin "pro re nata" |
| STAT | Immediately | Latin "statim" |
| c̄ or w/ | With | |
| s̄ or w/o | Without |
Why Timing Matters
- Before meals = Faster absorption
- With/after meals = Better digestive tolerance
- At bedtime = Some medications work better at night (statins, blood pressure meds)
Duration of Treatment
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| x | For (duration) |
| d | Day(s) |
| wk | Week(s) |
| mo | Month(s) |
Examples
- "x7d" = For 7 days
- "x2wk" = For 2 weeks
- "x1mo" = For 1 month
Quantity Prescribed
Quantity Abbreviations
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| # | Number/quantity |
| Disp | Dispense |
| Sig | Instructions (from Latin "signa") |
| Refill x3 | Can be refilled 3 times |
| NR | No refills |
| DAW | Dispense as written (no generic) |
Example: "TID x7d #21" means:
- 3 times daily for 7 days
- Dispense 21 tablets (3 × 7 = 21)
Routes of Administration
1
PO (per os)
By mouth - oral route
2
IV (intravenous)
Injection into a vein
3
IM (intramuscular)
Injection into a muscle
4
SC or SQ (subcutaneous)
Injection under the skin
| Abbreviation | Route of Administration |
|---|---|
| PO | Oral (by mouth) |
| IV | Intravenous |
| IM | Intramuscular |
| SC or SQ | Subcutaneous |
| PR | Rectal |
| PV | Vaginal |
| TOP | Topical (on the skin) |
| INH | Inhalation |
| SL | Sublingual (under the tongue) |
| GT or NGT | Gastric tube |
| OU | Both eyes |
| OD | Right eye |
| OS | Left eye |
Special Instructions
Important Notes
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| PRN | As needed |
| UD or ut dict | As directed |
| NPO | Nothing by mouth |
| NKA | No known allergies |
| NKDA | No known drug allergies |
| DC or D/C | Discontinue |
| AAA | Apply to affected area |
Units of Measurement
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| g | Gram |
| mg | Milligram (1/1000 of a gram) |
| mcg or µg | Microgram (1/1000 of a mg) |
| mL | Milliliter |
| L | Liter |
| mEq | Milliequivalent |
| IU | International Unit |
| tsp | Teaspoon (5 mL) |
| tbsp | Tablespoon (15 mL) |
Watch for Confusion
Don't confuse:
- mg (milligram) and mcg (microgram): x1000 difference!
- g (gram) and mg (milligram): x1000 difference!
These mistakes can be dangerous.
Decoding a Complete Prescription
Example 1: Antibiotic
Amoxicillin 500mg cap
1 cap PO TID x10d
#30
Refill x0
Translation: Take 1 capsule of Amoxicillin 500 milligrams, by mouth, 3 times daily, for 10 days. Total: 30 capsules. No refills.
Example 2: Chronic Treatment
Levothyroxine 75mcg tab
1 tab PO QAM on empty stomach
Refill x3
Translation: Take 1 tablet of Levothyroxine 75 micrograms, by mouth, every morning on an empty stomach. Can be refilled 3 times.
Example 3: Pain Medication
Tramadol 50mg cap
1-2 cap PO Q6H PRN pain
#60 NR
Translation: Take 1 to 2 capsules of Tramadol 50mg, by mouth, every 6 hours as needed for pain. 60 capsules, no refills.
Common Latin Abbreviations
Medical Latin
| Latin | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ad lib | As desired (ad libitum) |
| aq | Water (aqua) |
| cc | Cubic centimeter |
| dil | Dilute |
| non rep | Do not repeat |
| ss | Half |
| āā | Of each |
How Genki Can Help
Automatic Decoding
With Genki, take a photo of your prescription and AI decodes it for you:
- Translation of all abbreviations
- Explanation of each medication
- Dosage reminders
- Drug interaction alerts
Summary
Prescriptions use standardized codes to be concise and precise. This code may seem obscure, but each abbreviation has a clear meaning that your pharmacist understands perfectly.
Never hesitate to ask your doctor or pharmacist for explanations. Understanding your treatment is the first step to following it properly.
"Save this guide on your phone. Next time you receive a prescription, you'll be able to decode it yourself!
"
prescriptionabbreviationsmedicationspharmacydosage
Prêt à organiser vos données médicales ?
Genki vous aide à centraliser et comprendre tous vos documents de santé, sans cloud, directement sur votre appareil.
Essayer Genki gratuitement
