How to Read the Prescription.        

This page contains the list of commonly used medical abbreviations which you see normally on the doctors' prescriptions. This list will help you read and understand what your doctor prescribed. However, this list will not be able to help you read doctor's lousy hand writing.

  • For Example:
    Prescription: Proventil MDI 2 puffs q6h prn SOB.
    Answer: Proventil meter dose inhaler, 2 puffs every 6 hours as needed for shortness of breath.

    Prescription: Reglan 10mg 1 tab PO qid and hs.
    Answer: Reglan 10mg, 1 tablet by mouth four times daily and at bed time.

  • A

ac = before meal
ad = Right ear
agit = shake
am = morning
amt = amount
ante = before
as, al = left ear
ASA = Aspirin
au = both ears
aq = water

B

bid = twice daily
bp = blood pressure

C

c = with
CBC = complete blood count
Ca = calcium
caps = capsules
Cl = chloride
c/o = complaint of

D

D/C = discontinue
diag, Dx = diagnosis
dil = dilute
disch = discharge
dr = dram

E,F

et = and
Etoh = alcohol
exp = expired
FBS = fasting blood sugar
Fe = iron
fl = fluid

G

gm = gram
gr = grain
gt = drop
gtt = drops

H

H, h, hr = hour
H20 = water
hs = bed time
Hx = history

I, K, L

IM = intramuscular
IV = intravenous
K = potassium
liq = liquid

M

MDI = meter dose inhaler
Mg = magnesium
mg = milligram
MgSO4 = magnesium Sulfate
mm = millimeter
MOM = Milk of Magnesia
MS = Morphine Sulfate

  • N

    Na = sodium
    NaCl = sodium chloride
    neg = negative
    NKA = no know allergies
    NKDA = no know drug allergies
    NPO = nothing per mouth (oral)

    O

    • OD = right eye
      oint = ointment
      OS, OL = left eye
      OU = each eye
      oz = ounce

    P

    • PB = phenobarbital
      pc = after meals
      per = by
      pm = after noon
      PO = orally
      prn = as needed

    Q

    • q = every
      qd = every day
      qh = every hour
      qhs = at every bed time
      qid = 4 times a day
      qod = every other day
      q6h = every 6 hours
      qs = quantity sufficient

    R, S

    • R/O = rule out
      Rx = prescription
      SL = sublingual
      SOB = shortness of breath
      sol = solution
      sq = sub cutaneous
      ss = one-half
      stat = immediately

    T

    • tabs = tablets
      tbsp = tablespoon (15ml)
      temp = temperature
      tid = three times a day
      tr, tinc = tincture
      tsp = teaspoon (5ml)

    U, V, X

    • ung = ointment
      vag = vaginal
      vol. = volume
      VS = vital signs
      x = times