The use of abbreviations is common on prescriptions and medication orders. Some are derived from the Latin through its historical use in medicine and pharmacy, whereas others have evolved through prescribers’ use of writing shortcuts.
Unfortunately, medication errors can result from the misuse, misinterpretation, and illegible writing of abbreviations, and through the use of ad hoc, or made-up, abbreviations.
The use of a controlled vocabulary, a reduction in the use of abbreviations, care in the writing of decimal points, and the proper use of leading and terminal zeros have been urged to help reduce medication errors.
It should be emphasized that a misplaced or misread decimal point represents a minimum of a 10-fold error. A list of some of these abbreviations is presented in this article.
Contents
Prescription Filling Directions
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
| aa. or (ana) | of each |
| ad (ad) | up to; to make |
| disp. (dispensatur) | dispense |
| div. (dividatur) | divide |
| d.t.d. (dentur tales doses) | give of such doses |
| ft (fiat) | make |
| M. (mice) | mix |
| No. (numero) | number |
| non rep. or NR (non repatatur) | do not repeat |
| q.s. (quantum sufficit) | a sufficient quantity |
| q.s. ad (quantum sufficit ad) | a sufficient quantity to make |
| Sig. (Signa) | write (directions on label) |
Read Also: Glossary of Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms and Drug Delivery Systems
Quantities and Measurement
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
| BSA | Body surface area |
| cm3 | Cubic centimeter |
| f or fl (fluidus) | Fluid |
| g | Gram |
| gal | Gallon |
| gtt (gutta) | Drop |
| lb (libra) | Pound |
| kg | Kilogram |
| L | Litre |
| m2 or M2 | Square meter |
| mcg | Microgram |
| mEq | Milliequivalent |
| mg | Milligram |
| mg/kg | Milligrams (of drug) per kilogram (of body weight) |
| mg/m2 | Milligrams (of drug) per square meter (of body surface area) |
| mL | Milliliter |
| mL/h | Millilitres (of drug administered) per hour (as through intravenous administration) |
| mOsm or mOsmol | Milliosmoles |
| oz. | Ounce |
| O. or pt. | Pint |
| qt. | Quart |
| ss or ss (semissem) | One half |
| tbsp. | Tablespoonful |
| tsp. | Teaspoonful |
Read Also: Common Medical Abbreviations and Their Meaning
Signa/Patient Instructions
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
| a.c. (ante cibos) | Before meals |
| ad lib. (ad libitum) | At pleasure, freely |
| admin | Administer |
| A.M. (ante meridiem) | Morning |
| aq. (aqua) | Water |
| ATC | Around the clock |
| bd or b.i.d. (bis in die) | Twice a day |
| c or c (cum) | With |
| d (die) | Day |
| dil. (dilutus) | Dilute |
| et | And |
| h. or hr. (hora) | Hour |
| h.s. (hora somni) | At bedtime |
| i.c. (inter cibos) | Between meals |
| min. (minutum) | Minute |
| m&n | Morning and night |
| N&V | Nausea and vomiting |
| noct. (nocte) | Night |
| NPO (non per os) | Nothing by mouth |
| p.c. (post cibos) | After meals |
| P.M. (post meridiem) | Afternoon; evening |
| p.o. (per os) | By mouth (orally) |
| p.r.n. (pro re nata) | As needed |
| q (quaque) | Every |
| qAM | Every morning |
| q4h, q8h, etc. | Every__ hours |
| qd (quaque die) or QD | Once a day, every day |
| q.i.d. (quarter in die) | Four times a day |
| rep. (repetatur) | Repeat |
| s (sine) | Without |
| s.i.d. (semel in die) | Once a day |
| s.o.s. (si opus sit) | If there is need; as needed |
| stat. (statim) | Immediately |
| t.i.d. (ter in die) | Three times a day |
| ut dict. (ut dictum) | As directed |
| wk. | Week |
Read Also: Common Prefixes, Roots and Suffixes in Medical Terminology
Medications
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
| 3TC | Lamivudine |
| ABC | Abacavir |
| APAP | Acetaminophen |
| APV | Amprenavir |
| ASA | Aspirin |
| ATZ | Atazanavir |
| AZT or ZDV | Zidovudine |
| d4T | Stavudine |
| ddC | Zalcitabine |
| ddT | Didanosine |
| DLV | Delavirdine |
| EES | Erythromycin ethylsuccinate |
| EFV | Efavirenz |
| FTC | Emtricitabine |
| HC | Hydrocortisone |
| HCTZ | hydrochlorothiazide |
| IDV | Indinavir |
| LPV/r | Lopinavir/Ritonavir |
| MTX | Methotrexate |
| NFV | Nelfinavir |
| NTG | nitroglycerin |
| NVP | Nevirapine |
| RTV | Ritonavir |
| SQV | Saquinavir |
Read Also: Prescription Drugs and Over-The-Counter Drugs: Do You Know the Difference?
Clinical
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
| BM | Bowel movement |
| BP | Blood preasure |
| BS | Blood sugar |
| CHD | Coronary heart disease |
| CHF | Congestive heart failure |
| GERD | Gastroesophageal reflux disease |
| GI | Gastrointestinal |
| GFR | Glomerular filtration rate |
| GU | Genitourinary |
| HA | Headache |
| HBP | High blood pressure |
| HRT | Hormone replacement therapy |
| HT or HTN | Hypertension |
| IOP | Intraocular pressure |
| MI | Myocardial ischemia/ infarction |
| OA | Osteoarthritis |
| Pt | Patient |
| SOB | Shortness of breath |
| TPN | Total parenteral nutrition |
| URI | Upper respiratory infection |
| UTI | Urinary tract infection |
Read Also: How to Reconstitute Oral Suspensions [Step-by-Step Guide]
Dosage Forms/Vehicles
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
| amp. | ampule |
| cap. | capsule |
| D5LR | Dextrose 5 % in lactated Ringer’s |
| D5NS | Dextrose 5 % in normal saline (0.9 % sodium chloride) |
| D5W | Dextrose 5 % in water |
| D10W | Dextrose 10 % in water |
| elix. | Elixir |
| inj. | Injection |
| NS | Normal saline |
| 1/2NS | Half-strength normal saline |
| oint or ungt. (unguentum) | Ointment |
| pulv. (pulvis) | Powder |
| RL, R/L or LR | Ringer’s Lactate or Lactated Ringer’s |
| sol. (solutio) | Solution |
| supp. (suppositorium) | Suppository |
| susp. | Suspension |
| syr. (syrupus) | Syrup |
| tab. (tabletta) | Tablet |
Read Also: 5 Tips on How to Identify Fake Drugs
Routes of Administration
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
| CIVI | Continuous (24 hours) intravenous infusion |
| ID | Intradermal |
| IM | Intramuscular |
| IT | Intrathecal |
| IVB | Intravenous bolus |
| IV Drip | Intravenous infusion |
| IVP | Intravenous push |
| IVPB | Intravenous piggy back |
| NGT | Nasogastric tube |
| p.o. or PO (per os) | By mouth |
| rect. | Rectal or rectum |
| SL | Sublingual |
| SubQ | Subcutaneously |
| Top. | Topically |
| V or PV | Vaginally |
Read Also: Routes of Drug Administration: An Overview
Reference
Ansel, H. (2010). Pharmaceutical Calculations (13th ed.). London: Wolters Kluwer Health Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
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