A Cheat Sheet for Common Pharmacy Abbreviations
Pharmacy abbreviations are integral to the daily routine of pharmacy professionals, as they help streamline communication, save time, and ensure clarity when handling prescriptions, medication labels, and medical charts. Below are ten essential pharmacy abbreviations that every pharmacy professional should be familiar with:
q.d. (quaque die)
This Latin abbreviation means “once a day.” It is used to indicate that the medication should be taken every 24 hours. Pharmacy professionals need to ensure that patients understand this as a once-daily dose to avoid over- or under-dosing.
b.i.d. (bis in die)
This means “twice a day.” Medications prescribed as b.i.d. should be taken approximately every 12 hours.
t.i.d. (ter in die)
This stands for “three times a day,” and the medication should be taken at roughly 8-hour intervals. The pharmacist must clarify to patients that t.i.d. does not mean taking the doses all at once but rather throughout the day.
q.i.d. (quater in die)
This abbreviation means “four times a day,” usually spread over a 24-hour period. It’s vital to emphasize to patients the importance of maintaining consistent intervals, usually every 6 hours.
PRN (pro re nata)
This Latin term means “as needed.” Medications labeled with PRN, such as painkillers or sleep aids, should only be taken when symptoms arise, rather than on a set schedule. Clear instructions about maximum daily doses are essential.
PO (per os)
Meaning “by mouth,” this indicates the medication is taken orally. Many medications come in multiple forms (e.g., topical, injectable), so it’s important to specify the correct route of administration.
IV (intravenous)
This stands for “intravenous,” signifying that the medication is administered directly into a vein. Pharmacists must ensure proper dosing and preparation of IV medications as they act quickly and are often used in critical care.
IM (intramuscular)
IM refers to intramuscular injections, typically used for vaccines or other medications requiring deep tissue delivery. Pharmacy professionals may need to provide instruction on the correct administration technique.
gtt (guttae)
Meaning “drops,” this abbreviation is often used for liquid medications such as eye drops or ear drops. Dosing instructions typically specify how many drops and how often they should be administered.
hs (hora somni)
This abbreviation means “at bedtime.” Commonly used for medications that aid sleep or those that need to be taken during the evening, it helps avoid confusion over when the dose should be administered.
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