Per os

Per os (PO) is a medical term which means taking medication by mouth. It is derived from the Latin phrase per os (by mouth).

Definition

Per os (PO) is a direction for medication to be taken orally. It is one of the many ways that medication can be administered. Other methods include intravenous (IV), intramuscular (IM), and subcutaneous (SC).

Usage

The term is used in medicine to specify how a medication should be taken. For example, a doctor might write a prescription for a medication to be taken "PO" to indicate that the patient should take the medication by mouth.

Advantages

Taking medication per os has several advantages. It is a non-invasive method of administration, which means it does not involve needles or other instruments that break the skin or bodily tissues. It is also generally a painless method of administration. In addition, taking medication per os allows the medication to be absorbed into the bloodstream over a longer period of time, which can result in a longer-lasting effect.

Disadvantages

There are also some disadvantages to taking medication per os. Some medications can cause stomach upset or other gastrointestinal side effects. In addition, some medications are not effective when taken orally because they are not well absorbed in the digestive tract or are destroyed by stomach acids.

See also

• Route of administration
• Oral administration
• Medication

References

Per os Resources
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