1Commonly Used Medication Abbreviations
Abbreviation Meaning Abbreviation Meaning
ac/a.c. before meals NGT Nasogastric Tube
ad lib as desired, freely NKDA No Known Drug Allergy
am / AM morning NPO nothing by mouth
amp ampule NS Normal Saline
aq aqueous, water OTC over the counter
bid/b.i.d./BID twice a day ODT Orally Disintegrating Tablet
BP Blood Pressure per through or by
cap capsule pc/p.c. after meals
CBI Continuous Bladder
Irrigation
PCA Patient Controlled Analgesia
CD Controlled Dose pm / PM afternoon/evening
CPOE Computerized Physician
Order Entry
po/p.o./PO “Per os”; by mouth/orally
CR Controlled Release pr/PR per rectum
D Dextrose prn/p.r.n. as required/needed
DIN Drug Identification Number pv/PV per vagina
DS Double Strength q every
EC Enteric Coated qh every hour
elix elixir q2h, q4h, q6h,
q8h, q12h
every 2 hours, every 4 hours,
every 6 hours, every 8 hours,
every 12 hours
g gram qid/q.i.d./QID 4 times per day
GT Gastrostomy Tube ® Registered Trade Mark
gtt drop RL Ringer’s Lactate
h hour RECT rectal
HR heart rate SL/sl sublingual
HCl hydrochloride sol solution
ID Intradermal SR Sustained Release
IM Intramuscular stat/ STAT immediately, at once
I & O Intake and output subcut/SUBCUT subcutaneous
IV Intravenous supp suppository
IVPB Intravenous piggyback susp suspension
kg kilogram SWFI Sterile Water for Injection
L Litre tab tablet
LA Long Acting TBA To be absorbed
LOS Length Of Stay TD transdermal
lb pound tid/t.i.d./TID three times a day
MAR Medication Administration
Record
tinc tincture
mcg microgram Top topical
mEq milliequivalent TPN Total Parenteral Nutrition
mg milligram ung/oint ointment
min minute vag vagina
mix mixture VS vital signs
mL millilitre W water
NaCl Sodium Chloride x times
