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Commonly Used Prescription Abbreviations

Have you ever wondered what those abbreviations on prescription labels stand for? Following is a handy reference guide with a listing of commonly used prescription abbreviations, with thanks to Karen Quatman.


s.i.d - once a dayb.i.d - twice a day

t.i.d. -
three times a day
q.h. -
every hour
q.d. -
every day
ut.dict. -
use as directed
cc - cubic
centimeter
a.s. -
left ear

a.d. -
right ear
a.u. -
each ear
p.o. - by
mouth
q.o.d. -
every other day
e - with
s -
without

p.r.n. -
as required
U or u -
unit
o.s. -
left eye
o.d. -
right eye
o.u. -
each eye

Provided by
Karen Quatman

Printed with Permission ~ 22 May 2000