Common Abbreviations

Abbreviation Meaning   Abbreviation Meaning
a.c. before meals   o.d. right eye
a.d. right ear   o.s. left eye
a.s. left ear   o.u. both eyes
a.u. both ears   p.c. after meals
ad lib. as much as desired   PO orally
amp. ampule   p.r.n. when required
aq. water   q. every
b.i.d. twice daily   q4h, etc. every 4 hours
c. with   q.i.d. four times daily
cap. capsule   q.o.d. every other day
cc cubic centimeter   q.s. or q.s. ad quantity sufficient to make
disp. dispense   Rx take
g or gm gram   S., or Sig. Indicates directions to be given on the label of a prescription
gtt(s) drop(s)   s.i.d. once a day
h. hour   stat immediately
h.s. at bedtime   Subcut, SC subcutaneous
IM intramuscular   SubQ, SQ subcutaneous
IP intraperitoneal   susp. suspension
IV intravenous   tab tablet
lb pound   Tbsp. tablespoon (15 ml)
m2 meters squared   tsp. teaspoon (5 ml)
mg milligrams   t.i.d. three times daily
ml milliliter   Ut dict. as directed