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 day
b.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