<Tr> <Td> Not recommended for use in the United States by the Joint Commission </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Not recommended for use by other organizations, such as the ISMP (Institute for Safe Medication Practices)) </Td> </Tr> <Table> <Tr> <Th> Abbreviation or symbol </Th> <Th> Latin, Greek, or New Latin </Th> <Th> English </Th> <Th> Possible confusion </Th> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> aa, āā, ĀĀ </Td> <Td> ana </Td> <Td> of each </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> AAA </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> apply to affected area </Td> <Td> abdominal aortic aneurysm </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> a.c. </Td> <Td> ante cibum </Td> <Td> before meals </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> a.c.h.s., ac&hs </Td> <Td> ante cibum et hora somni </Td> <Td> before meals and at bedtime </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> a.d. </Td> <Td> auris dextra </Td> <Td> right ear </Td> <Td> A single - storey "a" can be mistaken as an "o" which could read "o.d.", meaning right eye </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> ad., add . </Td> <Td> adde addatur </Td> <Td> add let there be added </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> ad lib . </Td> <Td> ad libitum </Td> <Td> Latin, "at one's pleasure"; as much as one desires; freely </Td> <Td> Compare pro re nata, "as needed", which by convention includes an aspect of "up to some maximum". Similarly, compare s.o.s., q.l., and q.s. </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> admov . </Td> <Td> admove admoveatur </Td> <Td> apply (or) add add; let there be added </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> ad us . </Td> <Td> ad usum </Td> <Td> according to custom </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> æq . </Td> <Td> æquales </Td> <Td> equal </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> agit . </Td> <Td> agita </Td> <Td> agitate (stir or shake) </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> alt . d., alt . dieb . </Td> <Td> alternis diebus </Td> <Td> every other day; on alternate days </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> alt . h., alt . hor . </Td> <Td> alternis horis </Td> <Td> every other hour; at alternate hours </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> a.m. </Td> <Td> ante meridiem </Td> <Td> morning, before noon </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> amp . </Td> <Td> ampulla </Td> <Td> ampule (ampul, ampoule) </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> amt </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> amount </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> aq . </Td> <Td> aqua </Td> <Td> water </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> aq . bull . </Td> <Td> aqua bulliens </Td> <Td> boiling water </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> aq . com . </Td> <Td> aqua communis </Td> <Td> common water </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> aq . dest . </Td> <Td> aqua destillata </Td> <Td> distilled water </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> aq . ferv . </Td> <Td> aqua fervens </Td> <Td> hot water </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> a.l., a.s. </Td> <Td> auris laeva, auris sinistra </Td> <Td> left ear </Td> <Td> "a" can be mistaken as an "o" which could read "o.s." or "o.l", meaning left eye </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> ATC </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> around the clock </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> a.u. </Td> <Td> auris utraque </Td> <Td> both ears </Td> <Td> "a" can be mistaken as an "o" which could read "o.u.", meaning both eyes </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> BDS, b.d.s. </Td> <Td> bis die sumendum </Td> <Td> twice daily </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> bib . </Td> <Td> bibe </Td> <Td> drink </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> bis </Td> <Td> bis </Td> <Td> twice </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> b.i.d., b.d. </Td> <Td> bis in die </Td> <Td> twice daily </Td> <Td> AMA style avoids use of this abbreviation (spell out "twice a day") </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> bis ind . </Td> <Td> bis indies </Td> <Td> twice a day </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> bis in 7 d . </Td> <Td> bis in septem diebus </Td> <Td> twice a week </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> BM </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> bowel movement </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> BNF </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> British National Formulary </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> bol . </Td> <Td> bolus </Td> <Td> as a large single dose (usually intravenously) </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> BP, Ph.Br . </Td> <Td> Pharmacopoeia Britannica </Td> <Td> British Pharmacopoeia </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> BS </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> blood sugar </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> BSA </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> body surface area </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> b.t. </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> bedtime </Td> <Td> mistaken for "b.i.d", meaning twice daily </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> bucc . </Td> <Td> bucca </Td> <Td> buccal (inside cheek) </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> cap., caps . </Td> <Td> capsula </Td> <Td> capsule </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> cap . </Td> <Td> capiat </Td> <Td> let him take (let the patient take) </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> c.m. </Td> <Td> cras mane </Td> <Td> tomorrow morning </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> c.m.s. </Td> <Td> cras mane sumendus </Td> <Td> to be taken tomorrow morning </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> c, c . </Td> <Td> cum </Td> <Td> with (usually written with a bar on top of the "c") </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> cib . </Td> <Td> cibus </Td> <Td> food </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> c.c. </Td> <Td> cum cibo </Td> <Td> with food (or) cubic centimetre </Td> <Td> mistaken for "U", meaning units; also has an ambiguous meaning; use "mL" or "milliliters" (1 cm3 = 1 mL) </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> cf . </Td> <Td> confer </Td> <Td> compare </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> c.n. </Td> <Td> cras nocte </Td> <Td> tomorrow night </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> cochl . </Td> <Td> cochleare </Td> <Td> spoonful </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> cochl . ampl . </Td> <Td> cochleare amplum </Td> <Td> an ample spoonful (a tablespoonful) </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> cochl . infant . </Td> <Td> cochleare infantis </Td> <Td> a small spoonful (a teaspoonful) </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> cochl . mag . </Td> <Td> cochleare magnum </Td> <Td> a large spoonful (a tablespoonful) </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> cochl . mod . </Td> <Td> cochleare modicum </Td> <Td> a modest spoonful (a dessert - spoonful) </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> cochl . parv . </Td> <Td> cochleare parvum </Td> <Td> a scant spoonful (a teaspoonful) </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> colet . </Td> <Td> coletur </Td> <Td> let it be strained </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> comp . </Td> <Td> compositus </Td> <Td> compound </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> contin . </Td> <Td> continuetur </Td> <Td> let it be continued </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> cpt . </Td> <Td> capiat </Td> <Td> let him take (let the patient take) </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> cr., crm </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> cream </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> CST </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> continue same treatment </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> cuj . </Td> <Td> cujus </Td> <Td> of which </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> c.v. </Td> <Td> cras vespere </Td> <Td> tomorrow evening </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> cyath . </Td> <Td> cyathus </Td> <Td> a glassful </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> cyath . vinos . </Td> <Td> cyathus vinosus </Td> <Td> a wine - glassful </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> D, d . </Td> <Td> die (or) dosis </Td> <Td> days (or) doses </Td> <Td> ambiguous meaning, write out "days" or "doses" </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> D5LR </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> dextrose 5% in lactated Ringer's solution (intravenous sugar solution) </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> D5NS </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> dextrose 5% in normal saline (0.9%) (intravenous sugar solution) </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> D5W, D W </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> dextrose 5% in water (intravenous sugar solution) </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> D10W, D W </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> dextrose 10% in water (intravenous sugar solution) </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> da </Td> <Td> da </Td> <Td> give </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> DAW </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> dispense as written (i.e., no generic substitution) </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> DC, dc, D / C, disc </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> discontinue (or) discharge </Td> <Td> ambiguous meaning </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> decoct . </Td> <Td> decoctum </Td> <Td> decoction </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> det . </Td> <Td> detur </Td> <Td> let it be given </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> dieb . alt . </Td> <Td> diebus alternis </Td> <Td> every other day; on alternate days </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> dil . </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> dilute </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> dim . </Td> <Td> dimidius </Td> <Td> one - half </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> d. in p. æ . </Td> <Td> divide in partes æquales </Td> <Td> divide into equal parts </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> disp . </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> dispersible (or) dispense </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> div . </Td> <Td> divide </Td> <Td> divide </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> dL </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> deciliter </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> DS </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> double strength </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> d.t.d. </Td> <Td> dentur tales doses </Td> <Td> give of such doses </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> DTO </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> deodorized tincture of opium </Td> <Td> can easily be confused with "diluted tincture of opium," which is 1 / 25th the strength of deodorized tincture of opium; deaths have resulted due to massive morphine overdose . Compare laudanum and paregoric . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> DW </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> distilled water (or) dextrose in water (intravenous sugar solution) </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> elix . </Td> <Td> elixir </Td> <Td> elixir </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> e.m.p. </Td> <Td> ex modo prescripto </Td> <Td> as directed (in the manner prescribed) </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> emuls . </Td> <Td> emulsum </Td> <Td> emulsion </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> et </Td> <Td> et </Td> <Td> and </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> EOD </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> every other day </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> ex aq . </Td> <Td> ex aqua </Td> <Td> in water </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> exhib . </Td> <Td> exhibiatur </Td> <Td> let it be given </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> f . </Td> <Td> fiat </Td> <Td> make; let it be made </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> f.h. </Td> <Td> fiat haustus </Td> <Td> make a draught </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> fl., fld . </Td> <Td> fluidus </Td> <Td> fluid (usually meaning specifically liquid in health care) </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> f.m. </Td> <Td> fiat mistura </Td> <Td> make a mixture </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> f. pil . </Td> <Td> fiat pilula </Td> <Td> make a pill </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> f.s.a. </Td> <Td> fiat secundum artem </Td> <Td> make according to art </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> ft . </Td> <Td> fiat </Td> <Td> make; let it be made </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> g, gm </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> gram (modern SI symbol is g, not gm) </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> garg . </Td> <Td> gargarisma </Td> <Td> gargle </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> gr . </Td> <Td> granum </Td> <Td> grain </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> gtt (s) </Td> <Td> gutta (e) </Td> <Td> drop (s) </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> gutt . </Td> <Td> gutta (e) </Td> <Td> drop (s) </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> hypodermic </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> h, hr, hor . </Td> <Td> hora </Td> <Td> hour </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> habt . </Td> <Td> habeat </Td> <Td> let him have </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> hor . alt . </Td> <Td> hora alternis </Td> <Td> every other hour (every second hour; at alternate hours) </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> hor . decub . </Td> <Td> hora decubitus </Td> <Td> at bedtime </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> hor . intermed . </Td> <Td> horis intermediis </Td> <Td> at intermediate hours </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> hor . tert . </Td> <Td> horis tertiis </Td> <Td> every third hour </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> h.s. </Td> <Td> hora somni (at the hour of sleep) </Td> <Td> at bedtime (or) half - strength </Td> <Td> ambiguous (2 meanings, easily conflated); spell out </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> IBW </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> ideal body weight (for dosing based on clearance estimation) </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> ID </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> intradermal </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> IJ, inj . </Td> <Td> injectio </Td> <Td> injection </Td> <Td> mistaken for "IV", meaning intravenously </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> i.m., IM </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> intramuscular </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> IN </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> intranasal </Td> <Td> mistaken for "IM", meaning intramuscular, or "IV", meaning intravenously </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> ind . </Td> <Td> indies </Td> <Td> daily </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> inf . </Td> <Td> infusum </Td> <Td> infusion (extraction) / intravenous infusion </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> i </Td> <Td> unus tabuletta </Td> <Td> one tablet </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> ii </Td> <Td> duo tabuletta </Td> <Td> two tablets </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> iii </Td> <Td> tres tabuletta </Td> <Td> three tablets </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> IP </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> intraperitoneal </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> IT </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> intrathecal </Td> <Td> mistaken for other abbreviations; spell out </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> IU </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> international unit </Td> <Td> mistaken for "IV" or "10", spell out "international unit" </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> i.v., IV </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> intravenous </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> i.v.p., IVP </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> intravenous push </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> IVPB </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> intravenous piggyback </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> kg </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> kilogram </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> LAS </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> label as such </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> lat . dol . </Td> <Td> lateri dolenti </Td> <Td> to the painful side </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> lb . </Td> <Td> libra </Td> <Td> pound </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> l.c.d. </Td> <Td> liquor carbonis detergens </Td> <Td> coal tar solution </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> lin </Td> <Td> linimentum </Td> <Td> liniment </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> liq . </Td> <Td> liquor </Td> <Td> solution </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> lot . </Td> <Td> lotio </Td> <Td> lotion </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> M., m . </Td> <Td> misce </Td> <Td> mix </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> mane </Td> <Td> mane </Td> <Td> in the morning </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> max . </Td> <Td> maximum </Td> <Td> maximum </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> mcg </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> microgram </Td> <Td> Recommended replacement for "μg" which may be confused with "mg" </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> mdi </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> metered dose inhaler </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> m.d.u. </Td> <Td> more dicto utendus </Td> <Td> to be used as directed </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> mEq </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> milliequivalent </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> mg </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> milligram </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> mg / dL </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> milligrams per deciliter </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> MgSO4 </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> magnesium sulfate </Td> <Td> may be confused with "MSO4", spell out "magnesium sulfate" </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> min . </Td> <Td> minimum (or) minim (or) minutum </Td> <Td> minimum (or) minim (or) minute </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> mist . </Td> <Td> mistura </Td> <Td> mixture </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> mit., mitt . </Td> <Td> mitte </Td> <Td> send </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> mL </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> millilitre </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> mod . præscript . </Td> <Td> modo præscripto </Td> <Td> in the manner directed </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> MS </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> morphine sulfate or magnesium sulfate </Td> <Td> can mean either morphine sulfate or magnesium sulfate, spell out either </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> MSO4 </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> morphine sulfate </Td> <Td> may be confused with "MgSO4", spell out "morphine sulfate" </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> nebul, neb . </Td> <Td> nebula </Td> <Td> a spray (such as for insufflation) - nebulizer </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> NMT </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> not more than </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> noct . </Td> <Td> nocte </Td> <Td> at night </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> non rep . </Td> <Td> non repetatur </Td> <Td> no repeats (no refills) </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> NPO, n.p.o. </Td> <Td> nil per os </Td> <Td> nothing by mouth </Td> <Td> AMA style avoids use of this abbreviation (spell out "nothing by mouth") </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> NS </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> normal saline (0.9%) </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> 1 / 2NS </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> half - normal saline (0.45%) </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> NTE </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> not to exceed </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> o 2, o </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> both eyes </Td> <Td> "O" usually means oxygen or oxygen therapy </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> o.d. </Td> <Td> omni die </Td> <Td> every day (once daily) (preferred to "qd" in the UK) </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> o.d. </Td> <Td> oculus dexter </Td> <Td> right eye </Td> <Td> "o" can be mistaken as an "a" which could read "a.d.", meaning right ear, confusion with "omni die" </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> o.m. </Td> <Td> omni mane </Td> <Td> every morning </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> omn . bih . </Td> <Td> omni bihora </Td> <Td> every 2 hours </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> omn . hor . </Td> <Td> omni hora </Td> <Td> every hour </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> o.n. </Td> <Td> omni nocte </Td> <Td> every night </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> OPD </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> once per day </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> o.s. </Td> <Td> oculus sinister </Td> <Td> left eye </Td> <Td> "o" can be mistaken as an "a" which could read "a.s.", meaning left ear </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> o.u. </Td> <Td> oculus uterque </Td> <Td> both eyes </Td> <Td> "o" can be mistaken as an "a" which could read "a.u.", meaning both ears </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> oz </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> ounce </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> p . </Td> <Td> perstetur </Td> <Td> continue </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> part . æq . </Td> <Td> partes æquales </Td> <Td> equal parts </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> per </Td> <Td> per </Td> <Td> by or through </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> p.c. </Td> <Td> post cibum </Td> <Td> after meals </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> p.c.h.s., pc&hs </Td> <Td> post cibum et hora somni </Td> <Td> after meals and at bedtime </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Ph.Br., BP </Td> <Td> Pharmacopoeia Britannica </Td> <Td> British Pharmacopoeia </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Ph. Eur . </Td> <Td> Pharmacopoeia Europaea </Td> <Td> European Pharmacopoeia </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Ph.Int . </Td> <Td> Pharmacopoeia Internationalis </Td> <Td> International Pharmacopoeia </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> pig. / pigm . </Td> <Td> pigmentum </Td> <Td> paint </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> p.m. </Td> <Td> post meridiem </Td> <Td> evening or afternoon </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> p.o. </Td> <Td> per os </Td> <Td> by mouth or orally </Td> <Td> AMA style avoids use of this abbreviation (spell out "orally") </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> ppt . </Td> <Td> præparata </Td> <Td> prepared </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> p.r., PR </Td> <Td> per rectum </Td> <Td> rectally </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> p.r.n., PRN </Td> <Td> pro re nata </Td> <Td> as needed </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> pt . </Td> <Td> perstetur </Td> <Td> continue </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> pulv . </Td> <Td> pulvis </Td> <Td> powder </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> p.v., PV </Td> <Td> per vaginam </Td> <Td> vaginally </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> q </Td> <Td> quaque </Td> <Td> every, per </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> q. 1 h, q. 1 ° </Td> <Td> quaque 1 hora </Td> <Td> every 1 hour (can replace "1" with other numbers) </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> q4PM </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> at 4 pm (can replace "4" with other numbers) </Td> <Td> mistaken to mean every 4 hours </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> q.a.d. </Td> <Td> quaque alternis die </Td> <Td> every other day </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> q.a.m. </Td> <Td> quaque die ante meridiem </Td> <Td> every morning (every day before noon) </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> q.d. / q. 1. d . </Td> <Td> quaque die </Td> <Td> every day </Td> <Td> mistaken for "QOD" or "qds," spell out "every day" or "daily". AMA style avoids use of this abbreviation (spell out "every day") </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> q.d.a.m. </Td> <Td> quaque die ante meridiem </Td> <Td> once daily in the morning </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> q.d.p.m. </Td> <Td> quaque die post meridiem </Td> <Td> once daily in the evening </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> q.d.s. </Td> <Td> quarter die sumendus </Td> <Td> 4 times a day </Td> <Td> can be mistaken for "qd" (every day) </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> q.p.m. </Td> <Td> quaque die post meridiem </Td> <Td> every evening (every day after noon) </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> q.h. </Td> <Td> quaque hora </Td> <Td> every hour </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> q.h.s. </Td> <Td> quaque hora somni </Td> <Td> every night at bedtime </Td> <Td> can be mistaken as "q.h.r." (every hour) </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> q.i.d. </Td> <Td> quarter in die </Td> <Td> 4 times a day </Td> <Td> can be mistaken for "qd" or "qod," write out "4 times a day". AMA style avoids use of this abbreviation (spell out "4 times a day") </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> q.l. </Td> <Td> quantum libet </Td> <Td> as much as is requisite </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> q.n. </Td> <Td> quaque nocte </Td> <Td> every night </Td> <Td> can be mistaken as "q.h." (every hour) </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> q.o.d. </Td> <Td> quaque altera die </Td> <Td> every other day </Td> <Td> mistaken for "QD," spell out "every other day". AMA style avoids use of this abbreviation (spell out "every other day") </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> q.q. </Td> <Td> quaque </Td> <Td> every; each </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> q.q.h. </Td> <Td> quarter quaque hora </Td> <Td> every 4 hours </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> q.s. </Td> <Td> quantum sufficiat (subjunctive), quantum sufficit (indicative), quantum satis </Td> <Td> as much as suffices; a sufficient quantity </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> q.v. </Td> <Td> quantum volueris (or) quod vide </Td> <Td> at will (or) which see </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> QWK </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> every week </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> rep., rept . </Td> <Td> repetatur </Td> <Td> repeats </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> RL, R / L </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> Ringer's lactate </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Rx, R, RX,, ℞, Rp </Td> <Td> recipe </Td> <Td> take (often effectively a noun meaning "prescription"--medical prescription or prescription drug) </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> rep . </Td> <Td> repetatur </Td> <Td> let it be repeated </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> s . </Td> <Td> signa </Td> <Td> write (write on the label) </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> s.a. </Td> <Td> secundum artem </Td> <Td> according to the art (accepted practice or best practice) </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> SC </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> subcutaneous </Td> <Td> "SC" can be mistaken for "SL," meaning sublingual . See also SQ </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> sem . </Td> <Td> semen </Td> <Td> seed </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> s.i.d. </Td> <Td> semel in die </Td> <Td> once a day </Td> <Td> used exclusively in veterinary medicine </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> sig . </Td> <Td> signa, signetur </Td> <Td> write (write on the label) </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> s </Td> <Td> sine </Td> <Td> without (usually written with a bar on top of the "s") </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> sing . </Td> <Td> singulorum </Td> <Td> of each </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> SL, s.l. </Td> <Td> sub lingua </Td> <Td> sublingually, under the tongue </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> SOB </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> shortness of breath </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> sol . </Td> <Td> solutio </Td> <Td> solution </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> s.o.s., si op. sit </Td> <Td> si opus sit </Td> <Td> if there is a need </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> s.s., SS </Td> <Td> semisse </Td> <Td> one - half (or) sliding scale </Td> <Td> mistaken for "55" or "1 / 2" </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> SSI </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> sliding scale insulin or sliding scale regular insulin </Td> <Td> mistaken to mean "strong solution of iodine" or "selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor". See also SSRI </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> SQ </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> subcutaneously </Td> <Td> "SQ" can be mistaken for "5Q" meaning "5 every dose". See also SC </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> SSRI </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (or) sliding scale regular insulin </Td> <Td> ambiguous . Do not abbreviate </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> st . </Td> <Td> stet </Td> <Td> let it stand (for example, for settling) </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> stat </Td> <Td> statim </Td> <Td> immediately </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> SubQ </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> subcutaneously </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> sum . </Td> <Td> sumat (or) sumendum </Td> <Td> let him take (or) let it be taken </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> supp . </Td> <Td> suppositorium </Td> <Td> suppository </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> susp . </Td> <Td> suspensio </Td> <Td> suspension </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> syr . </Td> <Td> syrupus </Td> <Td> syrup </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> tab . </Td> <Td> tabella </Td> <Td> tablet </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> tal., t . </Td> <Td> talus </Td> <Td> such </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> tbsp </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> tablespoon </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> t.d.s., TDS </Td> <Td> ter die sumendum </Td> <Td> 3 times a day </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> t.i.d., t.d. </Td> <Td> ter in die </Td> <Td> 3 times a day </Td> <Td> AMA style avoids use of this abbreviation (spell out "3 times a day") </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> tinct . </Td> <Td> tinctura </Td> <Td> tincture </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> t.i.w. </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> 3 times a week </Td> <Td> mistaken for "twice a week" </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> top . </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> topical </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> TPN </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> total parenteral nutrition </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> tr, tinc., tinct . </Td> <Td> tinctura </Td> <Td> tincture </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> trit . </Td> <Td> triturate </Td> <Td> grind to a powder </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> troch . </Td> <Td> trochiscus </Td> <Td> lozenge </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> tsp </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> teaspoon </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> U </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> unit </Td> <Td> mistaken for a "4", "0" or "cc", spell out "unit" </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> u.d., ut . dict . </Td> <Td> ut dictum </Td> <Td> as directed </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> ung . </Td> <Td> unguentum </Td> <Td> ointment </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> USP </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> United States Pharmacopeia </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> vag . </Td> <Td> vagine </Td> <Td> vaginally </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> w </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> with </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> w / a </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> while awake </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> w / f </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> with food (with meals) </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> w / o </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> without </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> X, x </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> times </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> YO, y.o. </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> years old </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> μg </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> microgram </Td> <Td> mistaken for "mg", meaning milligram </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> @ </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> at </Td> <Td> mistaken for "2"; spell out "at" </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td>> </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> greater than </Td> <Td> mistaken for a "7" </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> <</Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> less than </Td> <Td> mistaken for an "L" </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> ℔ </Td> <Td> libra </Td> <Td> pound </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> ℥ </Td> <Td> uncia </Td> <Td> ounce </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> ʒ </Td> <Td> drachma </Td> <Td> dram (drachm) </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> ℈ </Td> <Td> scrupulus </Td> <Td> scruple </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> </Table> <Tr> <Th> Abbreviation or symbol </Th> <Th> Latin, Greek, or New Latin </Th> <Th> English </Th> <Th> Possible confusion </Th> </Tr>

What is the meaning of sig on prescriptions