Common Medical and Medication Abbreviations
This is not a comprehensive list but a common list.
Confusing eardrops and eyedrops. Always double-check the label. If a medication says "otic," it's for the ears. If it says "ophthalmic," it's for the eyes.
AC - before meals
HS -Bedtime
Otic - Ears
Opthamalic - eyes
AD - right ear
AS - left ear
OD- right eye
OS - left eye
OU- both eyes
PRN - as needed
PO - by mouth
QD - every day
Q-every
Q4 - every four hours
QID - four times a day
ATC - around the clock
BID - twice a day
D/C - discontinue or discharge
gtts - drops
ER - extended-release
DR - delayed release
IR - immediate release
SR - sustained release
Supp - suppository
TID - three times a day
IJ- injection
IM - intermuscular
SQ - subcutaneous
NPO- nothing by mouth