Institute for Safe Medication Practices
List of abbreviations according to body organ/ system or rout of administration
Sr. No Abbreviation Complete form Interpretations
1 AD Auris Dextra Right ear
2 AS Auris Sinistra Left ear
3 AU Auris Utraque Each ear
4 OD Oculus Dexter Right eye
5 OS Oculus Sinister Left eye
6 OU Oculus Uterque Each eye
7 SL Sublingually Under the tongue
8 ID Intradermal Through the skin
9 IM Intramuscular Through the muscle
10 IN Intranasal Through the nose
11 Inh Inhalation Through inhalers
12 P.O. Per Oral Through mouth
13 I.P. Intraperitoneal Through abdomen
14 I.V Intravenous Through veins
15 N.G. Nasogastric Through nose to GIT
16 P.R Per Rectum Through rectum
17 P.V. Per Vagina Through vagina
18 I.T Intrathecal Into the spinal canal
19 top. Topical Through skin
List of abbreviations for duration or frequency
Sr. No Abbreviation Complete form Interpretations
1 q.d. Quaque Die Every day
2 q.i.d Quater in Die Four time in a day
3 q1d Quaque 1 die Daily
4 q.o.d Quaque Alternis Die Every other day
5 BID or bid Bis in Die Twice a day
6 p/f Per fortnight
7 o.d. or OD Omne in Die Once daily
8 q.h Quaque Hora Every hour
9 q.p.m. - Quaque Die Post Meridiem Every evening
10 q.a.m. - Quaque Die Ante Meridiem Every morning
11 t.i.d. /t.d.s. Ter in Die/ Ter Die Sumendum Three times a day
12 TIW or tiw Three times a week
13 q.4h Quaque Quarta Hora Every four hours
14 q.6h Quaque Sexta Hora Every six hours
15 q.8 h Quaque Octa Hora Every eight hours
16 o.n Omne in Nocte Every night
List of abbreviations for dosage form
Sr. No Abbreviation Interpretations
1 cap. Capsule
2 cr., crm Cream
3 emuls Emulsion
4 lin Liniment
5 liq /sol Solution
6 lot. Lotion
7 collyr Eye lotion
8 supp Suppository
9 susp Suspension
10 ung./ oint Ointment
11 Occ or oc Eye ointment
12 tab Tablet
13 troche Lozenge
14 elix. Elixir
15 tr, tinc., tinct. Tincture
16 Pulv Powder
17 amp Ampoule
18 collut Mouthwash
19 garg Gargle
20 past Paste
21 syr Syrup
22 narist Nasal drops
23 aurist Ear drops
List of abbreviations for quantity
Sr. No Abbreviation Interpretations
1 g Gram
2 gr Grain
3 gtt(s) gutta(e) Drop(s)
4 µg /mcg Microgram
5 cc Cubic centimeters
6 tbsp Table spoon
7 tsp Tea spoon
8 mg Milligram
9 oz Ounce
10 gal Gallon
List of abbreviations for directions
Sr. No Abbreviation Interpretations
1 a.c. (ante cibum) Before meals
2 p.c. (post cibum ) After meals
3 i.c. (interum cibum ) Between meals
4 e.m.p. (ex modo prescripto) As directed
5 u.d., ut. dict. (ut dictum) As directed
6 m.d. As directed
7 m.d.u. To be used as directed
8 prn (pro re nata) As needed
9 rep., rept. (repetatur) Repeats
10 d.c Discontinued
11 s.a. (secundum artum) Use your judgement
12 u.a As before
13 ss Half
14 s.o.s (si opus sit) If necessary
15 part. dolent. To the painful part
16 dol.urg When the pain is severe
17 p.a/ AA To the affected part
18 MDI Metered dose inhaler
19 s. Without
20 w With
21 X 10 d For 10 days
22 ATC Around the clock; as in providing medications
for 24 hours in intervals
23 bib Drink
List of abbreviations for dispensing
Sr. No Abbreviation Interpretations
1 ad lib. As much as desired
2 dil. Dilute
3 disp Dispense
4 fl. Fluid
5 et And
6 OTC Over the counter
7 PoM Prescribe only Medicine
8 aq. or aqua Water
9 ex aq. In water
10 calid. Warm
11 co. Compound
12 conc. Concentrated
13 dest. Distilled
14 extemp. Extemporaneously dispensed
15 mist. Mixture
16 p.aeq. Equal parts
17 q.s. Sufficient
18 stat Immediately
19 trit. or triturate Serial dilution or mixing ingredients
20 mitte Send
