Latin Medical Abbreviations

How Often To Take A Drug:

Abbreviation

Latin

ad lib
ad libitum
alt. h.
alternis horis
A.T.C.
bid/b.d./b.i.d.
bis in die
non rep.
non repetatur
cc*
cum cibum
o.p.d.
prn
pro re nata
q
quaque
q.a.d.
quoque alternis die
q.d.s.
quarter die sumendus
qh/q.h./q1h/q_1h quaque hora/quaque1hora
q2h/q_2h
quaque 2 hora
q3h/q_3h
quaque 3 hora
q4h/q_4h
quaque 4 hora
qd/q.d.
quaque die
qid/q.i.d.
quarter in die
qod/q.o.d.
qqh
quarter quaque hora
rep./rept.
Repetatur
tds/t.d.s.
ter die sumendum
tid/t.i.d.
ter in die
t.i.w.

Meaning
freely, as often as it is needed
every other hour
around the clock
twice a day
once/do not repeat
with food
once per day
as needed
every
every other day
four times a day
every hour
every 2 hours
every 3 hours
every 4 hours
every day
four times a day
every other day
every four hours
repeat/repeats
three times a day/daily
three times a day
three times a week

1. There is another school that insists it means per necesitas orper necessity, either way the meaning is the same.

When To Take A Drug:

Abbreviation

Latin

Meaning

a.c.
ad*
a.m.
bt
dieb. alt.
hs/h.s.
int.c.
mane
noct.
opd/o.p.d.
p.c.
p.m.
q.a.m.
q.h.s.
q.p.m.
stat
wf

ante cibum
ad
ante meridiem
diebus alternis
hora somni
inter cibum
mane
nocte
post cibum
post meridiem
quaque die ante
meridiem
quaque hora somni
quaque die post
meridiem
statim

before meals
up to
morning, before noon
bedtime
every other day
at bedtime
between meals
in the morning
at night
once per day
after meals
afternoon or evening
every morning/day before
noon
every night at bedtime
every day after noon
immediately
with food (meals)

What Form/How Much:

Abbreviation

Latin

bol.

bolus

cap./caps.
elix.
emuls.
ex aq
i, ii, iii, or iiii
mg
ml
gtt(s)
lin.
liq.
lot.
qs/q.s.
ss
supp

capsula
emulsum
ex aqua

gutta(e)
linimentum

quantum sifficiat
semis
suppositorium

Meaning
single large dose/usually
injected
capsule
elixir
emulsion
in water
the # of doses (1, 2, 3, 4)
milligrams
milliliters
drops
liniment
liquor
lotion
a sufficient quantity
one half
suppository

susp
syr
tabs
tbsp
troche
tsp
tr/tinc./tinct.
ung.

syrupus
tabla
trochiscus

unguentum

suspension
syrup
tablets
tablespoon (15ml)
lozenge
teaspoon (5ml)
tincture
ointment

2. This takes into account an older form of writing out Roman numerals. The form we are used to
became a shortened form sometime in the 1700s when the number became to mean take this
number from the one that follows it (e.g. IV for 4, XC for 90, etc., so that there would never be
more than 4 of a given character in a row). The convention in common usage can lead to
problems because iv also stands for intravenous.

Where or How To Use It:

Abbreviation

Latin

Meaning

ad/a.d.*
admov.
al/a.l.*
as/a.s.
au/a.u.
BUCC
B.S.A.
e.m.p.
o_2
O
od/o.d.
os/o.s.
ou/o.u.
pig./pigm.
po/p.o.

auris dextra
admove
auris laeva
auris sinistra
auris utraque
bucca

pr/p.r.

per rectum

right ear
apply
left ear
left ear
both ears
(mouth) inside cheek
body surface areas
as directed or written
both eyes
both eyes
right eye
left eye
both eyes
paint
by mouth or orally
anally or through the
rectum
rectal
under the skin
under the tongue

ex modo prescripto

oculus dexter
oculus sinister
oculus uterque
pigmentum
per os

R
SC/subc./subcut./subq./SC sub cutaneous
SL
sub lingual

top.
vag.

topically
vaginally

Miscellaneous:
Abbreviation

Latin

Meaning

agit
amp
amt
aq
b/bis
BM/B.M.
B.S.

cc*
cib.
DAW/D.A.W.
dc/D/C/disc.
dil.
disp.
div.
d.t.d.
D.W.
fl./fld.
ft.*
g
gr
H
h/hr
ID
IM
inj.

agita

agitate/shake/stir
ampule
amount
water
twice
bowel movement
blood sugar
with
cubic centimeter
food (meals)
dispense as written
Discontinue/discharge
dilute
dispense
divide
give of such doses
distilled water
fluid
let it be made thus
gram
grain
hypodermic
hour
in the skin
into the muscle (injected)
injection

IV/iv*
IVPB
L.A.S.
LCS
M.
m.,min.

intravenous

aqua
bis

cum
cibum

dentue tales doses

fiat

hora
intra dermal
intramuscular
injection

misce
minimum

into the vein

intravenous piggyback
label as such
coal tar solution
mix
a minimum

mcg
m.d.u.
mEq
mg
mist.
mitte
mL
nebul
NS
1/2NS
NTE
o

O
)
s.a.
sig.
tal.,t
u.d./ut.dict.
w/
w/o
X

microgram
more dicto utendus

mistura
mitte
nebula

sine
secundum artum
signetur
talus
ut dictum

milliequivalent
milligram
mix
send
milliliter
spray
normal saline (0.9%)
half normal saline (0.45%)
not to exceed
with
without
oxygen
without
according to your judgment
label it as/write directions
such
as directed
with
without
times

3. When a physician writes this on a prescription or checks the DAW box, this means the
pharmacy cannot legally substitute a generic drug but must dispense the name brand version.