Drug Abbreviations

These are some of the most commonly used drug abbreviations:

a.c. before meals or food

b.i.d. twice daily

h.s. at bedtime

p.c. after meals

p.o. by mouth

p.r.n. as needed

O.D. right eye

O.S. left eye

O.U. each eye

mcg microgram(s)

mg milligram(s)

mEq milliequivalent(s)

ML milliliter(s)

q.o.d. every other day

q.h. every hour

q.4h. every four hours

q.8h. every eight hours

q.i.d. four times a day

q.o.d. every other day

t.i.d. three times a day

Examples:

Remeron 30 mg p.o. q.h.s.

Amikacin 430 mg p.o. q.8h.

Pepcid 20 mg p.o. q.h.s.

Meropenem 1 gram IV q.8h.

Cisapride 10 mg p.o. q.i.d. p.r.n.

Meropenem 1 gram IV q.8h.

Lescol 20 mg p.o. q.h.s.

Paxil 40 mg p.o. q.d.

Keflex 500 mg p.o. q.i.d.

Enteric-coated aspirin 81 mg p.o. q.d.

Morphine soluble tablets one p.o. q.2-4h. p.r.n.

breakthrough pain.

Dextromethorphan 15 mg p.o. t.i.d.