Abbreviations

Prescription instruction abbreviations are abbreviated terms commonly used in medical prescriptions to provide specific instructions to patients regarding the use of medications. These abbreviations are intended to be concise and easily understandable by both healthcare professionals and patients. They convey essential information about dosage, frequency, route of administration, and other specific instructions related to the medication. These abbreviations help simplify and standardize prescription instructions, ensuring clarity and accuracy in conveying important information to patients about how to take their prescribed medications.

Abbreviations include:

BID: Twice daily

BIW: Twice per week

BT: Bedtime

Cap: Capsule

Cr: Cream

D/c: Discontinue

CR: Controlled release

DR: Delayed release

EC: Enteric-coated

ER: Extended-release

G, gm: Gram

Gr.: Grain

HR: Heart rate

HTN: Hypertension

IJ: Injection

IM: Intramuscular

IN: Intranasal

Inf: Infusion

Inj: Injection

IR: Immediate release

IV: Intravenous

L: Liter

LA: Long-acting

Mcg: Microgram

mEq: Milliequivalent

mL: Milliliter

n/a: Not applicable

NKDA: No known drug allergies

PRN: As needed

PO: By mouth

Q: Every

Q4h: Every 4 hours

Q6h: Every 6 hours

Q8h: Every 8 hours

Q12h: Every 12 hours

QAM: Every morning

QD: Every day

QHS: Every evening

QOD: Every other day

QID: Four times per day

SL: Sublingual

SR: Sustained release

TID: Three times daily

TIW: Three times per week

TR: Timed release

U: Unit

Ud: As directed

XR: Extended-release