MEDICAL ABBREVIATIONS

Abbreviations for disease states and physiologic states relevant to dosing

Term     Meaning    
ADD      Attention Deficit Disorder   
ASHD     Arteriosclerotic Heart Disease   
BM     Bowel movement     
BP     Blood Pressure     
BPM      Beats per Minute   
BS     Blood Sugar    
Ca     Cancer, carcinoma    
CHD      Coronary Heart Disease   
CHF      Congestive Heart Failure   
CVA      Cerebral Vascular Accident, stroke 
DM     Diabetes Mellitus    
GERD     Gastro-esophageal Reflux Disease   
GI     Gastro-intestinal    
ERD      End Stage Renal Disease    
HA     Headache     
HBP, HTN     High Blood Pressure, Hypertension  
HR     Heart Rate     
IDD      Insulin Dependent Diabetes   
MAP      Mean Arterial Pressure   
N&V, N/V     Nausea and Vomiting    
NIDD     Non Insulin Dependent Diabetes   
PA wedge Pressure, wedge pressure  Pulmonary artery wedge pressure  
SOB      Shortness of Breath    
Temp     Body Temperature   
URI      Upper Respiratory Infection  
UTI      Urinary Tract Infection    

Abbreviations for Dosage Forms Found in Inscription, Subscription or Signa

Term Meaning         
amp. Ampule. A hermetically sealed glass vessel containing a sterile drug solution 
   usually used parenteral administration.  The ampule is broken and the solution  
   drawn into a syringe under aseptic conditions just prior to administration. 
   Ampules are always single dose units.  Vials are glass containers with a rubber 
   stopper through which a hypodermic needle can be inserted to remove its   
   contents.  Vials can be either single use or multiple use depending on whether  
   a bacteriostatic preservative is present in the solution.   
cap. Capsule. A shell usually made of gelatin that contains the active ingredients 
   in powder or liquid form.  When the capsule is swallowed, the gelatin dissolves 
   in the acid environment of the stomach releasing the material inside.   
chart. A divided powder, powder in a paper.  The drug or drug mixture is wrapped in  
   folded paper.  The patient unfolds the paper and transfers the contents to a  
   tablespoon or a glass and dissolves the contents in water.  This solution is  
   swallowed and washed down with water.  Archaic dosage form.   
cr., crm.  Cream.  A semisolid preparation containing drug intended  for application to  
   body surfaces like the skin.  Creams are heterogenous systems (an oil in water  
   mixture) whose continuous phase is either aqueous or water soluble.  Creams 
   absorb into the skin leaving little oily residue.     
elix.  Elixir.  An oral solution containing drug, water, and some alcohol.  When the 
   active ingredients are dissolved exclusively in alcohol the dosage form is  
   called a Spirit.        
emul.  Emulsion.  A liquid, heterogenous dosage form in which a liquid oil is usually  
   dispersed in a continuous aqueous phase.  Usually the drug is dissolved in the  
   internal oil phase.  When an emulsion is used topically it is frequently called 
   a lotion.  (Topical lotions may also be called suspensions)   
Liq. A solution        
Lot. A lotion.         
pulv., A bulk powder.  Applied directly to the skin from the container.  
pulvis           
sol. Solution.  A solution of drug usually in water.  May be taken by mouth or 
   applied to skin depending on indication.      
supp., Suppository.  Firm semisolid dosage forms that are designed to be inserted into 
sup.,  a particular body opening.  The semisolid vehicle melts at body temperature 
suppos releasing the incorporated drug into the local body fluids.  Rectal and vaginal 
   suppositories are most common.      
susp.  Suspension.  A liquid, heterogenous dosage form in which a solid is dispersed 
   in the liquid.  Usually the drug is not dissolved in the dosage form. When  
   the suspension is used topically it is frequently called a lotion.  
syr. Syrup.  A solution that is sweet and highly viscous.    
tab. Tablet.  A compressed tablet of drug and other excipients which can only be 
   manufactured on an industrial scale.  Tablets are designed to break up into 
   fragments when they enter the stomach or other body fluid allowing the drug to  
   come into contact with the fluid, and dissolve.  Tablets are not pills.  Pills  
   are an older type of preparation not commonly used anymore, and have a round  
   shape  (exception - colchicine is dispensed as pills).  A Sublingual Tablet 
   (tab SL. or SL) is designed to be dissolved under the tongue.  A sublingually 
   administered drug is intended to be absorbed across the oral mucosa avoiding  
   gastrointestinal-hepatic degradation prior to entry into general circulation  
   (Example Nitroglycerine Sublingual Tablet).  Sublingual tablets should not be 
   swallowed.        
tinc., Tincture.  A solution containing a lot of alcohol, although other solvents may  
tr., be present.  Tinctures usually contain drug at high concentrations.   
tinct.           
ung, Ointment.  A semisolid preparation containing drug intended for application to  
unguetum,  body surfaces like the skin.  Ointments unlike creams are continuous oil based  
oint.  systems.  Ointments generally leave an oily residue on the applied surface for  
   a longer time than creams.        

Abbreviations Related to the Directions for the Pharmacist - The Subscription Verbs

disp.  Dispense. Provide to the patient.      
div. # Divide. The formula refers to the total amount to be made.  Divide the 
   formula into the specified number of dosage units.     
d.t.d. # Give such doses.  The formula refers to a single dose.  Prepare and dispense 
   a specified number of doses.       
ex. aqua in water         
f., ft.  Make.  Prepare         
M  Mix the contents of the formula      
N.B.   Note Well!!!  Pay attention to this.     
No., # Number of units to be prepared or dispensed.     
S.A.,  According to the art.  A vague phrase meaning roughly "use your skill and  
Secundum judgement"         
artem           
tal. dos.  such doses         

Abbreviations used in the directions to the patient or instructions to care providers - The Signa

Term Meaning          
Sig. write the following directions on the label      
ad   up to, don't confuse with right ear (a.d.)     
appl.  apply          
c, cum with         
dil. dilute,  for example: dil. 5 ml in 6 oz. OJ (orange juice)   
D/C, D.C.  Discontinue        
e.m.p., ut as directed, in the manner prescribed      
dict, u.d.          
et   and          
NMT  not more than        
NPO  Nothing by Mouth.  The patient is to receive nothing orally    
non rep, do not repeat, (also, no refills when not in Sig.)     
N.R.          
rep  repeat, (also, refill when not in Sig.)      
s, sine, s without          

Abbreviations frequently used in the Prescription Formula - The Inscription

Term   Meaning        
aa., or aa of each.  Used when two or more ingredients are present in the same amount.  
   They are listed sequentially with the symbol placed next to the last item of 
   the group which it refers.       
ad   to, up to.  don't confuse with a.d. - right ear    
Agit.  Shake.         
Alb.   White.         
ASA  aspirin.  an analgesic.        
aq., aqua. water, drinking water.  Never used in making prescriptions.    
aq. dest.  distilled water, deionized water used in prescriptions.  Prepared by   
   distillation.        
aq. pur. purified water USP, An official deionized water used in prescription   
   compounding.         
q.s.   a sufficient quantity.  Calculate and add the appropriate quantity to make 
   the prescription.  Example:  the amount of lactose needed to fill capsules.  
q.s. ad  a sufficient quantity up to.  Add sufficient quantity to achieve a specified 
   total weight  or volume.  Example:  amount of water needed to make 240 ml of 
   total solution.        
aa q.s. ad a sufficient quantity of each up to.  Used when more than one substance is 
   to be added in equal quantities to achieve a specified total weight or 
   volume.  For example calculate the amount of Lanolin and Petrolatum to make  
   60 g of ointment.        
D5W  Dextrose Injection USP, a sterile isotonic IV Fluid (5% dextrose in water) 
HC   Hydrocortisone, a steroid hormone            
inj.     Injection, indicating that the injection dosage form is to be used.    
MS     Morphine Sulfate.  A narcotic analgesic              
NF     Natural Formulary, Indicates the ingredient should conform standards     
     prescribed in the official NF compendium             
NS, N.S.   Sodium Chloride Solution USP, a sterile, isotonic IV fluid (0.9% NaCl in   
     Water)                         
1/2NS    0.45% Sodium Chloride for Injection, a sterile IV fluid        
NTG    Nitroglycerine, a drug to treat angina pectoris, and other cardiovascular  
     disturbances                       
TPN    Total Parental Nutrition, an intravenous feeding fluid containing      
     carbohydrates, amino acids, electrolytes, and sometimes lipids.      
USP    United States Pharmacopeia, Indicates the ingredient should conform    
     standards prescribed in the official USP compendium.         

Units of Measure used in the Inscription-Subscription¹

cc., cc    cubic centimeter, USP states 1 cc is equivalent to 1 ml        
fl, fld.   specifies that the measure is a fluid measure            
g., Gm.    Gram, NB don't confuse with gr.                
gr., gr    Grain, NB don't confuse with g.                
gtt.     Drop, In general not a rigidly standardized measure.  Modern preparations  
     are dispensed with the calibrated dropper included with the manufactured   
     product.                         
     Minum, NB Don't confuse with ml                
mcg., mcg  Microgram, NB don't confuse with mg.               
mEq    Milliequivalent                      
mg., mg    Milligram, NB don't confuse with mcg               
ml., mL.   Milliliter, USP states that 1 cc is equivalent to 1 ml, NB, don't confuse  
     with minum.                        
mOsm, mOsmol Milliosmole                        
O.     Apothecary pint                      
oz.    ounce                          
parts    Some formulas indicate the ratio of ingredient quantities to each other.  In 
     a formula given in terms of parts by weight, any unit of weight may be used, 
     but it must be applied to all components.  In a formula given in parts by  
     volume, any unit of volume may be used, provide that all components have the 
     same units.                        
Ratio    Ratio strength is a way of representing the concentration of a formula   
Strength   component.  It is denoted in terms of total amount of solution or mixture  
     that contains one unit of solute.  A 1:25 solution of cinnamon oil means   
     that 1 ml of cinnamon oil is contained in each 25 ml of solution.  N.B. the  
     second number in the ratio does not describe the quantity of solvent, but  
     the total quantity of solution.  If the solute is a liquid the solution is   
     assumed to be a v/v mixture.  For solid solutes its assumed to be a w/v    
     mixture.  When the denominator of the ratio is 100, the concentration is   
     denoted as Percentage Strength.                
ss., ss    one half                         
tbl.     tablespoonful, a household measure, nominal value 15 ml.         
tsp.     teaspoonful, a household measure, nominal value, 5 ml          
U, u, I.U.   Unit, International Unit.  potency of many antibiotics and endocrine     
     preparations are expressed in terms of official USP units.  These units are  
     specific for each substance and determined by an official USP biological   
     activity test                      
1.  NB.  Sometimes the unit abbreviations for quantities are absent in the formula.  When  
absent, units for weight are presumed to be gram, g, and for volume presumed to be     
milliliter, mL                           

Abbreviations used in the directions to the patient or instructions to care providers concerning Dose and Dosing Frequency - The Signa

Term     Meaning                        
ad lib., prn use when or as needed. Ex. 1 cap hs prn sleep  
a.     before                         
a.c.     before meals.  Take before meals.  Usually  used in conjunction with q.d.,   
     tid etc.                         
a.m.     morning, before midday                   
h.     hour                         
d.     day                          
q.     every                          
q4h    every 4 hours, Also specified by the degree symbol. Ex. q 4deg.      
q.d.     every day, take one dose a day                 
q.o.d.   every other day, Take one dose every other day           
bid    twice a day, Take one dose twice a day.  N.B. does not mean every 12 hours.  
     Loosely means morning and evening.               
tid    three times a day,  NB. Take one dose three times a day.  N.B. does not mean 
     very 8 hours.  Loosely means morning, evening, and night.        
qid    four times a day.  NB.  Take one dose four times a day.  N.B. does not mean  
     every 6 hours.  Loosely means morning, afternoon, evening, and night.    
t.i.w.   three times a week,  Take a dose three times a week.  For example M, W, F  
h.s.     at bed time.  Take at bedtime                  
ATC    around the clock,  Doses administered at equal time intervals.  Ex: q. 6 h.  
     ATC.                         
m2, M2   square meter                       
BSA    body surface area                      
p.     after                          
p.c.     after meals.  Take after meals.  Usually used in conjunction with q.d., bid, 
     tid etc.                         
p.m.     evening, afternoon, after midday                 
noct.    night                          
STAT     immediately, give at once                  
s.o.s.   if there is need.  Administer again if required.  Example:  MS 2 mg IV STAT  
     and q 30 min s.o.s. bucking ventilator               

Abbreviations used to indicate Route of Administration or Administration Site¹.

Term    Meaning                        
a.d.    right ear, (the dexter ear)                  
a.s.    left ear, (the sinister ear)                 
a.u.    both ears                        
Aur     ear, ears                        
D.      Right                        
IA      intraarterially, inject into artery              
ID      intradermal, inject into skin                
IM      intramuscular, inject into muscle                
IV      intravenous, inject or infuse into vein, rate specified.  For intravenous  
      fluid therapy IV also refers to the infusion fluid.  IV bottles are    
      consecutively numbered.  Ex: IV #10 NS 1000 mL @ 125 cc/h, IV #11 D5W    
      1000 mL @ 125/hr                     
IMP, IV bolus intravenous push, a rapid injection into vein            
IVPB    intravenous piggy back. infuse solution into primary intravenous infusion, 
      rate specified Ex:  Ampicillin 250 mg IVPB over 30 min q 6 h     
KVO     keep vein open.  A slow infusion.  The rate is set by institution policy   
      or specified used to maintain an intravenous catheter patent.      
via Hep Loc   Inject through heparin lock.  A small indwelling intravenous cannula   
      filled with a dilute heparin solution to maintain patency.  After    
      injection, the heparin lock needs to be flushed and refilled with a dilute 
      heparin solution.                    
Ocul    eye                          
o.d.    right eye (the dexter eye)  in the right eye           
o.l., o.s.  left eye, (the sinister eye) in the left eye           
o.u.    both eyes, in each eye                   
p.o., per os  by mouth, take orally                    
R, pro rect.  rectal                         
S.      left                         
SL      sublingual, Place under tongue and allow to dissolve         
subq., s.c.   subcutaneously,  inject below the skin             
top     topically,  apply locally to affected area             
vag.    vaginally                        
1.  NB.  The oral route is always assumed if no route is specified for a drugs which can   
be administered orally.  If it is not possible to give the drug orally, (i.e. NPO), the  
alternative route must be explicitly specified by the prescriber.          

CHECKING THE DEA NUMBER

* All physician DEA bumbers begin with TWO LETTERS.

* The FIRST LETTER is always A or B.

* The SECOND LETTER is the first letter of the physicians LAST NAME.

* Add digits 1, 3, 5

* Add digits 2, 4, 6 and multiply by 2.

* Add the two totals.

* The LAST digit of the sum is the same as the last digit of the DEA number

Example:

Take DEA #                 AH0354213 from Dr. Alfred K.  
                     Hall          
Is the 1st letter A or B?            Yes, it's A         
Does the 2nd letter the same as 1st letter of the    Yes, it's H         
physician's last name?                         
Add 1st, 3rd and 5th digit:            0 + 5 + 2 = 7       
Add 2nd, 4th and 6th digits and multiply by two      (3 + 4 + 1) x 2 = 16      
Add the two totals               7 + 16 = 23         
Is the last digit of the sum the same as the last digit of Yes           
the DEA #