Module 9

Abbreviations, Acronyms, and Symbols Used in Prescriptions and Medications Orders

Objectives:
1. To be aware of commonly used abbreviations, acronyms and symbols used in prescriptions and medication
orders.
2. To be able to interpret the subscription/prescription filling directions and signatura that are written in latin in
the prescription.

Instructions:
1. Research on the common abbreviations, acronyms and symbols used in prescription and medication orders.
Reading recommendation: Ansel’s Pharmaceutical Calculations latest edition
2. Provide the correct meaning for each abbreviation listed here.
3. Each member should provide 1 Prescription that used any abbreviations, acronyms, and symbols. List down
what are commonly used. Identify if the instruction is for the pharmacist or for the patient.
4. Translate the prescription directions listed here.

Abbreviation Meaning Abbreviation Meaning Abbreviation Meaning

aa. of each Nocte night pulv. powder
ad up to; to make NPO nothing by LR Lactated Ringer’s
mouth
disp. dispense p.c. after meals sol. solution
div. divide P.M. afternoon; supp. suppository
evening
d.t.d. give of such doses p.o. by mouth susp. suspension
ft make p.r.n. as needed syr. syrup
M. mix q every tab. tablet
No. number qAM every morning CIVI continuous (24
hours) intravenous
infusion
Non rep. do not repeat q4h every 4 hours ID intradermal
q.s. a sufficient q8h every 8 hours IM intramuscular
quantity
q.s. ad a sufficient q.i.d. four times a IT intrathecal
quantity to make day
Sig. write (directions rep. repeat IV intravenous
on label)
a.c. before meals s without IVB intravenous bolus
ad lib. at pleasure, freely s.i.d. once a day IV Drip intravenous
infusion
Admin administer s.o.s. if there is need; IVP intravenous push
as needed
A.M. morning stat immediately IVPB intravenous
piggyback
aq. water t.i.d. three times a NGT nasogastric tube
day
ATC around the clock ut dict. as directed PO by mouth
b.i.d. twice a day wk. week rect. rectal or rectum
cum with amp. ampul SL sublingual
c with cap. capsule SubQ subcutaneously
d day D5LR dextrose 5% in Top. topically
lactated
Ringer’s
 dil. dilute D5NS dextrose 5% in V vaginally
normal saline
(0.9% sodium
chloride)
Et and D5W dextrose 5% in PV vaginally
water
h. hour D10W dextrose 10% fl3 fluid dram
in water
hr. hour elix. elixir g gram
h.s. at bedtime inj. injection mg milligram
i.c. between meals NS normal saline mL milliliter
min. minute ½ NS half-strength ss one half
normal
m&n morning and night oint ointment tbsp. tablespoonful
N&V nausea and ungt. ointment tsp. teaspoonful
vomiting
od right eye os left eye ou both eye
qod every other day sc subcutaneously APAP acetaminophen or
tylenol - short for
N-acetyl-p-amino-
phenol
gtt drop au both ears as left ear

J.San Gabriel, RPh,MSPharm - 2021

Translate the following prescription directions.
1. M. ft. ung.
Mix and make ointments
2. Ft. sup. no xii
Make 12 suppositories
3. M. ft. cap. d.t.d. no. xxiv
Mix and give 24 such doses of capsules
4. Caps. i. q.i.d. p.c. et h.s.
1 capsule 4 times a day after meals and at bedtime
5. gtt. ii rt. eye every a.m.
2 drops at the right eye every morning
6. tab. ii stat lab. 1 q. 6 h. x 7 d.
Take 2 tablets immediately, then take 1 tablet every 6 hours for 7 days
7. Disp. Supp. Rect. no. xii
Dispense 12 rectal suppositories
8. M. ft. iso. Sol. Disp. 120 mL
Mix and make an isotonic solution. Dispense 12mL
9. M. et div. in pulv. No. xi
Mix and divide into 11 powders
10. DTD vi. Non rep.
Dispense 6 such doses. Do not repeat
11. M. et ft. ung Disp. 10g
Mix and make an ointment. Dispense 10 grams

J.San Gabriel, RPh,MSPharm - 2021

Prescription 1
By: Riva Gail C. Suson

Abbreviations/Acronyms/Symbols used:
1. IV = Intravenous
2. Sig = Signa
3. m = million

J.San Gabriel, RPh,MSPharm - 2021

Prescription 2
By: Lucero, Laleia S.

Abbreviations/Acronyms/ Symbols used:

1. Tabs = tablets
2. S = signa
3. 3x = 3 times
4. Rx = take thou / prescription
5. mg = milligram
6. M. D = Medical Doctor

J.San Gabriel, RPh,MSPharm - 2021

Prescription 3
By: Baring, Kimberly V.

Abbreviations/Acronyms/ Symbols used:

1. S = signa
2. Tabs = tablets
3. 3x = 3 times
4. Mg = milligrams
5. Rx = take thou

J.San Gabriel, RPh,MSPharm - 2021

Prescription 4
By: Lim, Nimrod Ahron R.

Abbreviations/Acronyms/ Symbols used:

1. cap = capsule
2. 3x = 3 times
3. S = Signa
4. Mg = milligrams

J.San Gabriel, RPh,MSPharm - 2021

Prescription 5
By: Magnanao, JN Mae I.

Abbreviations / Acronyms / Symbols used:

1. Rx = prescription
2. tab = tablet
3. od = once daily
4. md = medical doctor
5. mg = milligram

J.San Gabriel, RPh,MSPharm - 2021

Prescription 6
By: Crogildo, Bea Mary N.

Abbreviations/Acronyms/ Symbols used:

1. S- signa
2. tab- tablet
3. Mg = milligrams

J.San Gabriel, RPh,MSPharm - 2021

Prescription 7
By: Basilgo, Crisha Mae B.

Abbreviations/Acronyms/Symbols used:
1. S= Signa
2. g= gram
3. mg= milligram
4. tab= tablet

J.San Gabriel, RPh,MSPharm - 2021

Prescription 8
By: Labang, Jean Verethy M.

Abbreviations/Acronyms/ Symbols used:

1. s = signa
2. i = one (1)
3. tab = tablet
4. mg = milligram
5. mcg = microgram

J.San Gabriel, RPh,MSPharm - 2021

Prescription 9
By: Vestil, Niña Christene G.

Abbreviations/Acronyms/Symbols used:
1. disp. - dispense
2. caps. - capsule
3. mg - milligram
4. Sig. - signa
5. caps. - capsule
6. hrs - hora/hours

J.San Gabriel, RPh,MSPharm - 2021

Prescription 10
By: Stefanie Claire Roxas

Abbreviations / Acronyms / Symbols used:

1. Sig. - signa
2. ml - millileters
3. 3x - 3 times
4. susp - suspension

J.San Gabriel, RPh,MSPharm - 2021

Prescription 11
by: Rondina, Aishelly Jane

Abbreviations / Acronyms / Symbols used:

1. Sig. - Signa
2. caps. - capsule
3. hrs - hora/hours
4. mg- milligrams

J.San Gabriel, RPh,MSPharm - 2021

Prescription 12
by: Melo L. Medecielo

Abbreviations / Acronyms / Symbols used:

1. mg - milligram
2. tab - tablet
3. Sig - signa
4. A.D. - up to; to make / As Directed

J.San Gabriel, RPh,MSPharm - 2021

Prescription 13
by: Peñas, John Roy P.

Abbreviations / Acronyms / Symbols used:

1. mg - milligram
2. Sig - Signa
3. amp - ampul

J.San Gabriel, RPh,MSPharm - 2021

Prescription 14
by: Obinay, Obaidah A.

Abbreviations / Acronyms / Symbols used:

1. mg - milligram
2. tab - tablet
3. 6h - 6 hours
4. cap - capsule

J.San Gabriel, RPh,MSPharm - 2021