The following table lists some abbreviations used in prescription writing. These abbreviations are listed with their intended meaning.
Pharmacy abbreviations beginning with …
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
| a.c. | before food |
| a.m. | before noon |
| aa. | of each |
| ad lib. | as much as desired |
| alt. | alternate |
| alt. die. | alternate days |
| amp | ampoule |
| ante | before |
| applic. | apply |
| aq. or aqua | water |
| aur. | ear |
| aurist. | ear drops |
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
| b. | twice |
| b.d. | twice daily |
| b.i.d. | twice daily |
| BSA | body surface area |
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
| c. | with |
| calid. | warm |
| cap. | capsule |
| CD | controlled drug |
| cib. | food |
| co. | compound |
| collut. | mouthwash |
| collyr. | eye lotion |
| conc. | concentrated |
| crem. | cream |
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
| d. | a day |
| dest. | distilled |
| dil. | diluted |
| div. | divide |
| dol.urg | when the pain is severe |
| dolent.part. | to the afflicted part |
| dos. | dose |
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
| EC | enteric-coated |
| et | and |
| ex aq. | in water |
| ext. | extract |
| extemp. | extemporaneously dispensed |
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
| fort. | strong |
| freq. | frequently |
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
| garg. | gargle |
| gtt. or guttae | drops |
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
| h. | at the hour of |
| h.s. | at bedtime |
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
| i.c. | between meals |
| IA | intra-articular |
| IM | intramuscular |
| inf. | infusion |
| inh. | inhalation |
| inj. | injection |
| irrig. | irrigation |
| IV | intravenous |
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
| lin. | liniment |
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
| m. or mane | in the morning |
| m.d. | as directed |
| m.d.u. | to be used as directed |
| MDI | metered dose inhaler |
| mist. | mixture |
| mitt. or mitte | send |
| MR | modified-release |
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
| n. or nocte | at night |
| n.et m. | night and morning |
| narist. | nasal drops |
| NEB | nebuliser |
| NG | nasogastric |
| NP or n.p. | proper name |
| NRT | nicotine replacement therapy |
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
| o.alt.hor. | every other hour |
| o.d. | every day |
| o.m. | every morning |
| o.n. | every night |
| oculent. | eye ointment |
| oint. | ointment |
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
| p.a. | to the affected part |
| p.aeq. | equal parts |
| p.c. | after food |
| p.m. | afternoon |
| p.r.n. | when required |
| part. dolent. | to the painful part |
| past. | paste |
| PCA | patient controlled analgesia |
| PEG | percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy |
| pess. | pessary |
| PICC | peripherally inserted central catheter |
| PO | oral |
| PR | per rectum |
| pulv. | powder |
| PV | per vagina |
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
| q.d. | four times daily |
| q.d.s. | to be taken four times daily |
| q.i.d. | four times daily |
| q.q.h. | every fourth hour |
| q.s. | sufficient |
| q12h | every 12 hours |
| q4h | every 4 hours |
| q6h | every 6 hours |
| qq. | every |
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
| Rx | take |
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
| s.o.s. | if necessary |
| SC | subcutaneous |
| SL | sublingual |
| ss. | half |
| stat. | immediately |
| supp. | suppository |
| susp. | suspension |
| syr. | syrup |
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
| t.d.d. | three times daily |
| t.d.s. | to be taken three times daily |
| t.i.d. | three times daily |
| tabs | tablets |
| tinct. | tincture |
| top. | topical |
| trit. or triturate | serial dilution or mixing ingredients |
| tuss urg | when the cough is troublesome |
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
| u.a. | as before |
| ung. or unguentum | ointment |
| ut. direct or ut. dict. | as directed |
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
| WSP | white soft paraffin |
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
| YSP | yellow soft paraffin |