Common Abbreviations Used in Prescriptions/Medication Orders

Common Abbreviations Used in Prescriptions and Medication Orders

abefore
a.a. of each
aaof each
a.c.before meals
adup to
a.d.right ear
ad lib.at pleasure
a.m.morning
antebefore
aq.aqueous (water)
a.s.left ear
a.u.each ear
b.i.d.twice a day
c.with
cwith
cap.cubic centimeter (milliliter)
Clchloride
comp.compound
D.A.W.dispense as written
D.C.discontinue
dcdiscontinue
disc.discontinue
dil.dilute
disp.dispense
div.divide
d.t.d.give of such doses
dxdiagnosis
D5NS5% dextrose in 0.9% sodium chloride
D5RL5% dextrose in Ringer's lactate
D5W5% dextrose in water
elix.elixir
etand
ex.in water
aq.in water
ft.make
ggram
gmgram
Gmgram
gal.gallon
GIgastrointestinal
gr.grain
gtt.drop
h.hour
hr.hour
h.s.at bedtime
hxhistory
H2Owater
IMintramuscular
inj.injection
IVintravenous
IVPintravenous push
IVPBintravenous piggyback
Kpotassium
KClpotassium chloride
Lliter
lliter
lb.pound
LRlactated Ringer's
mcgmicrogram
μgmicrogram
mEqmilliequivalent
Mgmagnesium
mgmilligram
mn.minute
mlmilliliter
Nasodium
NaClsodium chloride
N.F.National Formulary
noct.night
non req.do not repeat
NPOnothing by mouth
NRno refill
NSnormal saline (0.9% sodium chloride)
NTGnitroglycerin
N/Vnausea and/or vomiting
o.dright eye
o.l.left eye
o.s.left eye
oz.ounce
pafter
p.c.after meals
p.m.afternoon; evening
p.o.by mouth
prper rectum
p.r.n.as needed
pt.pint
pulv.powder
q.every
q.d.every day
q.h.every hour
q.h.s.every bedtime
q.i.d.four times a day
q.o.d.every other day
q.s.a sufficient quantity
q.s. ada sufficient quantity to make
qt.quart
RLRinger's lactate
R/Orule out
rt.right
Rright
s.without
without
sec.second
Sig.write on label
SL.sublingual
slsublingual
sol.solution
ss.one half
one half
SSKIsaturated solution of potassium iodide
statimmediately
s.c.subcutaneously
s.q.subcutaneously
supp.suppository
susp.suspension
syr.syrup
tab.tablet
tbsp.tablespoonful
Ttablespoonful
t.i.d.three times a day
TPNtotal parenteral nutrition
tr.tincture
tinct.tincture
tsp.teaspoonful
t.teaspoonful
u.d.as directed
ung.ointment
U.S.P.United States Pharmacopoeia