The following list shows the abbreviations that are most often encountered by pharmacists.
- A, aa., or aa = of each
- a.c. = before meals
- ad = to, up to
- a.d. = right ear
- ad lib. = at pleasure, freely
- a.m. = morning
- amp. = ampule
- ante = before
- aq. = water
- a.s. = left ear
- asa = aspirin
- a.u. = each ear, both ears
- b.i.d. = twice a day
- BP = British Pharmacopoeia
- BSA = body surface area
- c. or c = with
- cap. or caps. = capsule
- cp = chest pain
- D.A.W. = dispense as written
- cc or cc. = cubic centimeter
- comp. = compound, compounded
- dil. = dilute
- D.C., dc, or disc. = discontinue
- disp. = dispense
- div. = divide, to be divided
- dl or dL = deciliter
- d.t.d. = give of such doses
- DW = distilled water
- D5W = dextrose 5% in water
- elix. = elixir
- e.m.p. = as directed
- et = and
- ex aq. = in water
- fl or fld = fluid
- fl oz = fluid ounce
- ft. = make
- g or Gm = gram
- gal. = gallon
- GI = gastrointestinal
- gr or gr. = grain
- gtt or gtt. = drop, drops
- H = hypodermic
- h. or hr. = hour
- h.s. = at bedtime
- IM = intramuscular
- inj. = injection
- IV = intravenous
- IVP = intravenous push
- IVPB = intravenous piggyback
- K = potassium
- l or L = liter
- lb. = pound
- µ = Greek mu
- M = mix
- m2 or M2 = square meter
- mcg or mcg. = microgram
- mEq = milliequivalent
- mg or mg. = milligram
- ml or mL = milliliter
- ml or mL = microliter
- N&V = nausea and vomiting
- Na = sodium
- N.F. = National Formulary
- No. = number
- noct. night, = in the night
- non rep. = do not repeat
- NPO = nothing by mouth
- N.S., NS, or N/S = normal saline
- 1/2 NS = half-strength normal saline
- O = pint
- o.d. = right eye, every day
- o.l. or o.s. = left eye
- OTC = over the counter
- o.u. = each eye, both eyes
- oz. = ounce
- p.c. = after meals
- PDR = Physicians’ Desk Reference
- p.m. = afternoon, evening
- p.o. = by mouth
- Ppt = precipitated
- pr = for the rectum
- prn or p.r.n. = as needed
- pt. = pint
- pulv. = powder
- pv = for vaginal use
- q. = every
- q.d. = every day
- q.h. = every hour
- q. 4 hr. = every four hours
- q.i.d. = four times a day
- q.o.d. = every other day
- q.s. = a sufficient quantity
- q.s. ad = a sufficient quantity to make
- R = rectal
- R.L. or R/L = Ringer’s lactate
- Rx = prescription
- s. or s without
- Sig. write on label
- sol. = solution
- S.O.B. = shortness of breath
- s.o.s. = if there is need (once only)
- ss. or ss = one-half
- stat. = immediately
- subc, subq, or s.c. = subcutaneously
- sup. or supp = suppository
- susp. = suspension
- syr. = syrup
- tab. = tablet
- tal. = such, such a one
- tal. dos. = such doses
- tbsp. or T = tablespoonful
- t.i.d. = three times a day
- tr. or tinct. = tincture
- tsp. or t. = teaspoonful
- TT = tablet triturates
- U or u. = unit
- u.d. or ut dict. = as directed
- ung. = ointment
- U.S.P. or USP = United States Pharmacopoeia
- w/v = weight/volume
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