Abbreviation list commonly used in medical prescriptions

Abbreviations Meaning
aa of each
a.c. before meals
a.m. morning, before noon
amp ampule
b.i.d./b.d. twice daily
B.M. bowel movement
B.S. blood sugar
cal calorie
cap., caps. capsule
cm centimeter
conc concentration
CR controlled release
D or d days or doses. Possible confusion, spill "days" or "doses"
D5W dextrose 5% solution (sometimes written as D5W)
D5NS dextrose 5% in normal saline (0.9%)
dL deciliter
ED epidural
ET endotracheal
g gram
gtt(s) drop(s)
h, hr hour
ID intradermal
IO intraocular
IM intramuscular
IP intraperitoneal
IT intrathecal
IV intravenous
IVP intravenous push
IVPB intravenous piggyback
kg kilogram
kcal kilocalorie
L liter
m² meter square
mcg microgram, Recommended replacement for "µg"
mEq milliequivalent
mg milligram
min minute
mm millimeter
mg/dL milligrams per deciliter
mL millilitre
NPO nothing by mouth
NS normal saline (0.9%)
1/2NS half normal saline (0.45%)
oint ointment
p.c. after meals
p.m. evening or afternoon
p.o. by mouth or orally
p.r. or PR rectally
PRN, prn as needed
q every, each
Qam every day before noon
Qpm every day after noon or every evening
qs a sufficient quantity
QW every week
RL, R/L Ringer's lactate
S.O.B, SOB shortness of breath
SL immediately
sol solution
stat sublingually, under the tongue
supp suppository
tab tablet
tbsp tablespoon
t.i.d. three times a day
T.P.N. total parenteral nutrition
tsp teaspoon
References
BNF (British National Formulary) - published twice yearly by the British Medical Association and Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain
Johnston, Mike (2006). The pharmacy technician series: Fundamentals of pharmacy practice. Pearson Prentice Hall. p. 24. ISBN 9780131147515.
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