Abbreviation Meaning Notes
aa of each Derived from Latin, ana
AAA apply to affected  
area
a.c. before meals Derived from Latin, ante cibum
a.d. right ear Derived from Latin, auris dextra
ad lib. as much as Derived from Latin, ad libitum (“at one’s
desired; freely pleasure”)
a.m. morning; before Derived from Latin, ante meridiem
noon
amp. ampule  
amt. amount  
APAP acetaminophen  
aq. water Derived from Latin, aqua
a.s. left ear Derived from Latin, auris sinistra
ATC around the clock  
a.u. both ears Derived from Latin, auris utraque
bib. drink Derived from Latin, bibe
b.i.d. twice a day Derived from Latin, bis in die
BP blood pressure  
bucc. inside cheek Derived from Latin, bucca
c. with Derived from Latin, cum; often written with a bar
above it
cc cubic centimeter Less commonly used as an abbreviation for cum
(cm3) cibo (“with food”)
cap. capsule  
cm centimeter Also used as an abbreviation for cream
d. day Derived from Latin, dies
DAW dispense as written  
d.c.; d/c discontinue  
dil. dilute  
disp. dispense  
div. divide  
dL deciliter  
DR delayed-release  
EC enteric-coated  
EOD every other day  
ER; XR extended-release  
et and Derived from Latin, et
f., ft. make; let it be Derived from Latin, fiat
made
fl. fluid  
FXD for 10 days X = Roman numeral for 10
g, gm gram  
gal gallon  
gr. grain  
gtt. drop Derived from Latin, gutta
h., hr., hor. hour Derived from Latin, hora
HCT; HCTZ hydrochlorothiazide  
h.s. at bedtime Derived from Latin, hora somni (“at the hour of
sleep”)
ID intradermal  
IM intramuscular  
IN intranasal  
inf. infusion  
inh. inhalation  
inj. injection  
IR immediate-release  
IU international unit  
IV intravenous  
K potassium  
kg kilogram  
L liter  
lb pound Derived from Latin, libra
liq. liquid  
lot. lotion  
m meter  
max. maximum  
mcg; μg microgram μ = Greek letter mu
MDP Medrol Dosepak Pre-dosed packaging of methylprednisolone
(Medrol)
mg milligram  
min. minimum  
mL milliliter  
mm millimeter  
neb. nebulizer  
NSAID nonsteroidal anti- Drug class that includes ibuprofen (Motrin)
inflammatory drug
o.d. right eye Derived from Latin, oculus dexter
ODT oral disintegrating  
tablet
oint. ointment  
o.s. left eye Derived from Latin, oculus sinister
OTC over the counter  
o.u. both eyes Derived from Latin, oculus uterque
oz ounce  
PA prior authorization  
p.c. after meals Derived from Latin, post cibum
p.m. evening; after noon Derived from Latin, post meridiem
p.o. by mouth; orally Derived from Latin, per os
p.r. rectally Derived from Latin, per rectum
p.r.n. as needed (for) Derived from Latin, pro re nata
pt pint  
p.v. vaginally Derived from Latin, per vaginam
q every; per Derived from Latin, quaque
q12; q. 12 h.; every 12 hours 12 can be substituted with any number
q12°
q1-2; q. 1-2 every 1 to 2 hours 1 and 2 can be substituted with any number
h.; q1-2°
q.a.d.; q.o.d. every other day Derived from Latin, quaque alternis die
q.a.m. every morning; Derived from Latin, quaque anti meridiem
every day before
noon
q.d. every day Derived from Latin, quaque die
q.h.s. every day at Derived from Latin, quaque hora somni
bedtime
q.i.d. 4 times a day Dervied from Latin, quater in die
qt quart  
qty. quantity  
q.p.m. every evening; Derived from Latin, quaque post meridiem
every day after
noon
q.s. a sufficient quantity Derived from Latin, quantum sufficiat
q.w. every week  
Rx prescription Derived from Latin, recipere (‘to take”)
s. without Derived from Latin, sine; often written with a bar
above it
SC; SQ; subcutaneous  
SubQ
sig. write; label Derived from Latin, signa
SL; s.l. sublingually; under  
the tongue
SOB shortness of breath  
sol. solution  
SSRI selective serotonin Drug class that includes escitalopram (Lexapro)
reuptake inhibitor and fluoxetine (Prozac)
stat. immediately Derived from Latin, statim
supp. suppository  
susp. suspension  
syr. syrup  
tab. tablet  
TAD take as directed  
tbsp tablespoon  
t.i.d. 3 times a day Derived from Latin, ter in die
top. topical  
troch. lozenge Derived from Latin, trochiscus
tsp teaspoon  
U unit  
u.d., ut. dict. as directed Derived from Latin, ut dictum
ung. ointment Derived from Latin, unguentum
w. with  
w/f with food; with  
meals
w/o without