Comprehensive Guide to Medical Medication Abbreviations

Overview of Medical Medication Abbreviations

• Medical abbreviations for medications are fundamentally derived from Latin phrases. These abbreviations are used universally in healthcare to indicate the specific dose, frequency, timing, and route of administration for prescriptions.

Medication Frequency Abbreviations (How Often)

These abbreviations specify the interval or number of times a medication should be administered within a given period.

• QD / OD: Once a day • BID / BD: Twice a day • TID / TDS: Three times a day • QID / QDS: Four times a day • q4h: Every $4\,\text{hours}$ • q6h: Every $6\,\text{hours}$ • QOD / EOD: Every other day • PRN: As needed • STAT: Immediately

Medication Timing Abbreviations (When to Take)

Timing abbreviations provide specific instructions regarding when a patient should consume or apply their medication in relation to meals or the time of day.

• AC: Before meals • PC: After meals • HS: At bedtime • AM: Morning • PM: Afternoon or evening • ATC: Around the clock

Medication Route Abbreviations (How to Take)

Route abbreviations designate the path by which a drug, fluid, poison, or other substance is taken into the body.

• PO: By mouth • SL: Under the tongue • PR / PV: By rectum / By vagina • Ocular Routes:   • OD: Right eye   • OS: Left eye   • OU: Both eyes • Otic Routes:   • AD: Right ear   • AS: Left ear   • AU: Both ears • Injections and Direct Routes:   • IV: Intravenous   • IM: Intramuscular   • SUBQ / SQ: Under the skin

Medication Formulation Abbreviations (Type of Medicine)

These abbreviations describe the physical form of the medication or the specific mechanism by which the drug is released into the system.

• Tab / Cap: Tablet / Capsule • Soln / Susp: Solution / Suspension • Ung / Oint: Ointment • Gtt / Gtts: Drop / Drops • Release Mechanisms:   • ER / SR / XR: Extended release   • DR: Delayed release

Resources and Recommendations

• For a comprehensive understanding, consult the Verywell Health Guide to Prescription Abbreviations. • Safety Warning: If any instructions on a medication label are unclear or ambiguous, always verify the information with a medical professional, such as a doctor or pharmacist.