A guide to dosage frequencies, routes of administration, and timing codes.
Have you ever looked at a prescription label and wondered what "1 tab PO tid" means? Pharmacy shorthand is largely derived from Latin, and while it looks like a secret code, it provides precise instructions on how and when to take your medication.
Mistakes in medication timing can affect the efficacy of your treatment. This guide decodes the most common pharmacy abbreviations to help you use your medications safely and effectively.
Common Dosage & Frequency Codes
| Code | Latin Origin | Plain English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| qd | Quaque die | Once Every Day |
| bid | Bis in die | Twice a Day |
| tid | Ter in die | Three Times a Day |
| qid | Quater in die | Four Times a Day |
| qhs | Quaque hora somni | Every night at bedtime |
| prn | Pro re nata | As needed (for a specific symptom) |
| PO | Per os | By mouth (orally) |
⚠️ Safety Note: The "Do Not Use" List
To prevent medication errors, The Joint Commission has moved to ban certain abbreviations that are easily misread. For example:
- U (Units): Can be mistaken for a zero (0) or the number 4. Doctors are now encouraged to write out the word "Units."
- Trailing Zeros: Writing "5.0 mg" is discouraged because it can be misread as "50 mg" if the decimal point is faint. It should always be written as "5 mg."
Prescription FAQ
Q: What is the difference between "ac" and "pc"?
A: These refer to meals. ac (ante cibum) means "before meals," while pc (post cibum) means "after meals."
Q: Does "gtt" mean grams?
A: No. gtt stands for guttae, which means "drops" (commonly used for eye or ear medications).
Q: Why does my label say "stat"?
A: Stat comes from the Latin statim, meaning "immediately." It indicates a medication that must be administered without delay.
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