Common Pharmacy Abbreviations Examples Youtube link given at the end of the page.
1. a.c.: Before meals
Example: Take 1 tablet a.c. daily.
2. a.d.: Right ear
Example: Instill 2 drops a.d. twice
daily.
3. a.s.: Left ear
Example: Instill 2 drops a.s. twice
daily.
4. a.u.: Both ears
Example: Instill 2 drops a.u. twice
daily.
5. ad lib.: As desired
Example: Use ad lib for pain.
6. AM: Morning
Example: Take 1 tablet in the AM.
7. amp: Ampule
Example: Administer one amp IM.
8. AQ: Aqueous
Example: Use AQ solution for
nebulizer.
9. bid: Twice a day
Example: Take 1 capsule bid.
10. BM: Bowel movement
Example: Take 1 tablespoon for BM.
11. BP: Blood pressure
Example: Monitor BP daily.
12. bucc: Buccal
Example: Place 1 tablet bucc PRN.
13. cap: Capsule
Example: Take 2 caps daily.
14. cc: Cubic centimeter
Example: Inject 2 cc IM.
15. CNS: Central nervous system
Example: Monitor CNS effects.
16. CR: Controlled release
Example: Take 1 CR tablet daily.
17. CSR: Central Supply Room
Example: Send to CSR for
sterilization.
18. DC: Discontinue
Example: DC use if side effects occur.
19. D5W: 5% Dextrose in water
Example: Infuse D5W at 100 mL/hr.
20. disp: Dispense
Example: Disp 30 tablets.
21. DS: Double strength
Example: Take 1 DS tablet daily.
22. EC: Enteric coated
Example: Take 1 EC tablet daily.
23. elix: Elixir
Example: Take 1 tsp elix daily.
24. ER: Extended release
Example: Take 1 ER tablet daily.
25. FDA: Food and Drug Administration
Example: FDA approved medication.
26. g: Gram
Example: Apply 1 g ointment.
27. gtt: Drop
Example: Instill 2 gtt in eye.
28. HCl: Hydrochloric acid
Example: Use HCl solution for
dilution.
29. hs: At bedtime
Example: Take 1 tablet hs.
30. ICU: Intensive Care Unit
Example: Admit to ICU for observation.
31. IM: Intramuscular
Example: Administer 1 mL IM.
32. in: Inch
Example: Apply 2 inches of ointment.
33. inj: Injection
Example: Give 1 mL inj.
34. IV: Intravenous
Example: Administer IV fluids.
35. IVPB: Intravenous piggyback
Example: Infuse antibiotic IVPB.
36. kg: Kilogram
Example: Calculate dose per kg.
37. L: Liter
Example: Infuse 1 L of saline.
38. lb: Pound
Example: Patient weighs 150 lb.
39. liq: Liquid
Example: Take 1 tbsp liq daily.
40. LR: Lactated Ringer's
Example: Infuse 1 L LR solution.
41. mcg: Microgram
Example: Administer 500 mcg.
42. mEq: Milliequivalent
Example: Take 20 mEq potassium.
43. mg: Milligram
Example: Take 500 mg tablet.
44. mL: Milliliter
Example: Inject 2 mL IM.
45. MR: Modified release
Example: Take 1 MR tablet daily.
46. MS: Morphine sulfate
Example: Administer 10 mg MS.
47. NG: Nasogastric
Example: Insert NG tube for feeding.
48. NSAID: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug
Example: Take 1 NSAID for pain.
49. NTG: Nitroglycerin
Example: Place 1 NTG tab SL PRN.
50. od: Right eye
Example: Instill 1 drop od daily.
51. os: Left eye
Example: Instill 1 drop os daily.
52. ou: Both eyes
Example: Instill 1 drop ou daily.
53. OTC: Over the counter
Example: Buy OTC pain relief.
54. pc: After meals
Example: Take 1 tablet pc.
55. p.o.: By mouth
Example: Take 1 tablet p.o.
56. pr: Per rectum
Example: Insert 1 suppository pr.
57. prn: As needed
Example: Take 1 tablet prn for pain.
58. q: Every
Example: Take 1 tablet q 8 hours.
59. q.d.: Every day
Example: Take 1 tablet q.d.
60. q.h.: Every hour
Example: Instill 1 drop q.h.
61. q.i.d.: Four times a day
Example: Take 1 capsule q.i.d.
62. q.o.d.: Every other day
Example: Take 1 tablet q.o.d.
63. qam: Every morning
Example: Take 1 tablet qam.
64. qpm: Every evening
Example: Take 1 tablet qpm.
65. R: Rectal
Example: Insert 1 suppository R.
66. Rx: Prescription
Example: Rx for antibiotics.
67. s.c.: Subcutaneous
Example: Inject 1 mL s.c.
68. SL: Sublingual
Example: Place 1 tablet SL PRN.
69. sol: Solution
Example: Use saline sol for rinse.
70. stat: Immediately
Example: Administer stat dose.
71. supp: Suppository
Example: Insert 1 supp rectally.
72. susp: Suspension
Example: Shake well before using susp.
73. tab: Tablet
Example: Take 2 tabs daily.
74. tbsp: Tablespoon
Example: Take 1 tbsp daily.
75. t.i.d.: Three times a day
Example: Take 1 capsule t.i.d.
76. tsp: Teaspoon
Example: Take 1 tsp daily.
77. T1DM: Type 1 diabetes mellitus
Example: Patient diagnosed with T1DM.
78. T2DM: Type 2 diabetes mellitus
Example: Patient diagnosed with T2DM.
79. TPN: Total parenteral nutrition
Example: Administer TPN via IV.
80. tsp: Teaspoon
Example: Take 1 tsp daily.
81. u: Unit
Example: Administer 10 u insulin.
82. ung: Ointment
Example: Apply ung to affected area.
83. U.S.P.: United States Pharmacopeia
Example: Follow U.S.P. guidelines.
84. UTI: Urinary tract infection
Example: Treat UTI with antibiotics.
85. vag: Vaginal
Example: Insert 1 vag tablet.
86. v.o.: Verbal order
Example: Doctor gave v.o. for
medication.
87. WBC: White blood cell
Example: Check WBC count.
88. wk: Week
Example: Follow up in 1 wk.
89. wt: Weight
Example: Monitor patient's wt.
90. y.o.: Year old
Example: Patient is 35 y.o.
91. ZnO: Zinc oxide
Example: Apply ZnO ointment to rash.
92. CBC: Complete blood count
Example: Order CBC test.
93. CPR: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation
Example: Perform CPR immediately.
94. DNR: Do not resuscitate
Example: Patient has DNR order.
95. GI: Gastrointestinal
Example: Check for GI symptoms.
96. HRT: Hormone replacement therapy
Example: Patient on HRT.
97. IC: Intracardiac
Example: Administer IC injection.
98. IU: International unit
Example: Administer 500 IU vitamin D.
99. LFT: Liver function test
Example: Order LFT for patient.
100. OT: Occupational therapy
Example: Refer patient to OT.
Youtube link: https://youtu.be/uzPQROd6nmM
