DRUGS AND SOLUTIONS

Common Abbreviations

Abbreviation Latin Term Meaning

ac ante cibum before meals
ad lib ad libitum Freely, as much as desired
amp ampule
ante before
BID, bid bis in die twice a day
BT Bed time
c (with a hyphen above the with
letter)
c.c. chief complaint
cap capsule
cc Cubic centimeter
cm centimeter
D5NS Dextrose 5% in normal saline
D5W 5% dextrose in water
gtt. gutta, guttae drop
HS or hs hora somni At bed time or hours of sleep
ID intradermal
IM intramascular
IN intranasal
IU International unit
IV Intravenous
IVP Intravenous push
L Liter
lb. Pound
mcg microgram
mg milligram
ml milliliter
mm millimeter
NPO nil per os nothing by mouth
OD, o.d. oculus dexter right eye
o.d. quaque die once per day
OS, o.s. oculus sinister Left eye
OTC over the counter
OU, o.u. oculus uterque Both eyes
p After
p.r.n. pro re nata As needed
pc After meals
per By or through
p.o, PO per orem By mouth or orally
 Abbreviation Latin Term Meaning
q quisque every
q.s., qs As much as needed; a sufficient
quantity
QID, q.i.d. quater in die Four times a day
q12h Every 12 hours
q2h Every 2 hours
q4h Every 4 hours
q6h Every 6 hours
q8h Every 8 hours
QD, qd Every day
qh quaque hora Every hour
qhs quaque hora somni Every night at bedtime
s (with a hyphen above the Without
letter)
Sig. Signatura Write on label
SQ, SC, sub q Subcutaneous
stat Immediately
supp Suppository
susp suspension
Syr. Syrup
tab Tablet
Tbsp, T Tablespoon
TID, t.i.d. ter in die Three times a day
tsp, t Teaspoon
ung ungentum Ointment
w/o Without
μg, mcg microgram