Medication Frequency Abbreviations

Daily (once daily)

One dose administered per day

qd (every day)

Medication given once daily at the same time each day

bid (twice a day)

Medication given two times per day, typically 12 hours apart

tid (three times a day)

Medication given three times per day, typically 8 hours apart

qid (four times a day)

Medication given four times per day, typically 6 hours apart

q4h (every four hours)

Medication given six times per day at four-hour intervals

q6h (every six hours)

Medication given four times per day at six-hour intervals

q8h (every eight hours)

Medication given three times per day at eight-hour intervals

q12h (every twelve hours)

Medication given two times per day at twelve-hour intervals