List of abbreviations used in medical prescriptions

Medical prescriptions often contain various abbreviations that represent specific instructions for medication administration, dosage, frequency, and route. This list provides medical students with an overview of standard abbreviations used in medical prescriptions. Understanding these abbreviations is crucial for patient safety and effective communication among healthcare professionals.

Introduction

Medical abbreviations have been used in medical prescriptions for centuries. Originally derived from Latin, these abbreviations are used to convey instructions regarding how and when a medication should be taken, as well as other important information such as dosage and route of administration^[1].

Common Abbreviations

Here is a list of some common abbreviations used in prescriptions:

• a.c. - before meals (from Latin ante cibum)
• p.c. - after meals (from Latin post cibum)
• b.i.d - twice a day (from Latin bis in die)
• t.i.d. - three times a day (from Latin ter in die)
• q.i.d. - four times a day (from Latin quater in die)
• q.d. - every day (from Latin quaque die)
• q.h. - every hour (from Latin quaque hora)
• q.w. - every week (from Latin quaque week)
• prn - as needed (from Latin pro re nata)

Latin Terminology

Many abbreviations in medical prescriptions are derived from Latin. Latin was historically the universal language of medicine. Below are some examples:

• stat - immediately (from Latin statim)
• p.o. - by mouth (from Latin per os)
• p.r. - by rectum (from Latin per rectum)
• s.o.s. - if necessary (from Latin si opus sit)

Units of Measurement

Units of measurement are abbreviated to communicate the quantity of medication to be administered:

• mg - milligram
• g - gram
• mL - milliliter
• IU - international unit

Routes of Administration

Understanding the route of administration is crucial:

• IM - intramuscular
• IV - intravenous
• SC or SQ - subcutaneous
• SL - sublingual
• IN - intranasal

Frequency of Administration

Abbreviations for frequency guide the timing of medication administration:

• q4h - every 4 hours
• q8h - every 8 hours
• q12h - every 12 hours
• qAM - every morning
• qPM - every night

Special Instructions

Additional instructions might be included:

• aa - of each
• ad lib - as desired
• c (with a line over it) - with
• s (with a line over it) - without
• disp - dispense

Standardization and Safety Concerns

The Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have raised concerns regarding the use of abbreviations in prescriptions due to potential misinterpretation. To mitigate errors, the Joint Commission has published a "Do Not Use" list that healthcare professionals should avoid in medication orders^[2].

See Also

• Medical prescription
• Medication administration record
• Dosage form
• Drug nomenclature

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