Pharmacy Abbreviations Part 1

meaning: tablet/capsule
see below

meaning: 2 times a day
use: i BID
memory tip: think bi=two

meaning: 3 times a day
use: i TID
memory tip: think tri=three

meaning: 4 times a day
use: i QID
memory tip: think quad=four

meaning: minute and hour
use: see below

meaning: every
use: ii q8h
also: q5min, etc.
also: q2h, q4h, q6h, etc.
also: q3days, q week, q mo., etc.

meaning: morning and evening
use: ii qam

meaning: before meals
after meals
use: i TID ac= 1 tablet (or capsule) 3 times a day before meals
memory tip: am=before noon, ac=before meals, pm=after noon, pc=after meals, c=cibum which is latin for food

meaning: by mouth
use: i-ii po q6h = 1-2 tablets by mouth every 6 hours

meaning: nothing by mouth
use: NPO 8h prior to surgery

meaning: sublingually=under tongue
use: i SL q5min

meaning: month and year
use: patient age is 18mo

meaning: years old
use: patient is 35yo

meaning: as needed
use: i-ii q4-6h prn pain=1 or 2 tablets every 4-6 hours as needed for pain

meaning: not to exceed
use: i-ii q4-6h prn pain; NTE 8 tablets/day

meaning: no more than
use: i SL q5min; NMT 3tabs in 24h

meaning: may repeat
use: i at onset of headache; MR x1 in 2h prn

meaning: around-the-clock
use: i q3h ATC x 24h

meaning: while awake
use: i q2h WA x 48h

meaning: with and without (can also be w/ and w/o)
use: i daily c̄ breakfast
memory tip: c=cum (or con in Spanish) s=sine (or sin in Spanish)

meaning: take as directed

meaning: times or for
use: i q12h x 7days

meaning: affected area
use: Apply to aa TID prn

meaning: immediately
use: ii stat then i q12h

meaning: shortness of breath
use: i inhalation q6h prn SOB

meaning: nausea and vomiting
use: i po q8h prn N/V