How to understand Doctors prescription?

Every person has to meet a doctor in his life. After a careful examination of the patient, doctor writes indicated medicines on prescription paper. 

When this prescription reach pharmacy , a pharmacist gives medicines, and advices how to consume them. There are some common shortforms or medical terminologies or abbreviations that are written on this prescription paper, that are usually known to doctors, nurses and pharmacist. 

Common man or general public doesn't know or know little about it. So let's  understand them.

1)Rx = Treatment.

This is written at the top of prescription paper.this generally means you accept it.

2) Hx = History

This is written just below date of that prescription paper.This is short information about the history of your illness.

3) Dx = Diagnosis

This is also can be found below date date of prescription.

This is the name of your illness eg.malaria,  dengue etc.it can be provisional diagnosis also when it is not confirmed, usually marked with question mark.

4) tab= tablet

This is written before indicated medicine.

Prescribed medications is in the form of tablet

5)cap- capsule

This is written before indicated medicine.

Prescribed medications is in the form of capsule.

6) syp- syrup

This is written before indicated medicine.

Prescribed medications is in the form of liquid ( syrup)

7) qd = Every day

This is written below prescribed medicine.This indicate you have to take medication daily.

8)qod= Every other day

This is written below prescribed medicine.This indicate you have to take medication every other day.

9)qh = Every Hour

This is written below prescribed medicine.This indicate you have to take medicine every hour.

10) SOS = If needed

This is written below prescribed medicine.This indicate you have  to take medication only if needed.

11) AC = Before Meals

This is written below prescribed medicine.This means you have to take medication before your meals.

12) PC = After meals

This is written below prescribed medicine.This means you have to take medication after your meals.

13) BID = Twice a Day

This is written below prescribed medicine.This means you have to take medication two times a day

14)TID = Thrice a Day

This is written below prescribed medicine..This means you have to take medication three times a day.

15) QID = Four times a day

This is written below prescribed medicine..This means you have to take medication four times a day.

16) OD = Once a Day

This is written below prescribed medicine.This means you have to take medication one times a day.

17) BT = Bed Time

This is written below prescribed medicine..This means you have to take medication when you are going to sleep. 

18) BBF = Before Breakfast

This is written below prescribed medicine..This means you have to take medication before your breakfast .

19)BD = Before Dinner

This is written below prescribed medicine..This means you have to take medication before dinner.

20)Tw= Twice a week

This is written below prescribed medicine..This means you have to take medication two times a week.

21) SQ = sub cutaneous

This is written below prescribed medicine. This is for injection. This is the route of administration of that injection. It means injection to be given below your skin.

22)IM = Intramuscular 

This is written below prescribed medicine. This is for injection. This is the route of administration of that injection.This indicate that injection to be given in your muscles like gluteal, deltoid.

23)Id= intradermal

This is written below prescribed medicine. This is for injection. This is the route of administration of that injection.This indicate injection to be given just below your skin.

24) IV = Intravenous

This is written below prescribed medicine. This is for injection. This is the route of administration of that injection.

This means your injection to be given in your veins. This route is also used for giving IV fluids.

25) QAM = (every morning)

This is written below prescribed medicine..This means you have to take medication in the morning time only.

26) QPM (every night)

This is written below prescribed medicine..This means you have to take medication at night time only.

27) Q4H = (every 4 hours)

This is written below prescribed medicine..This means you have to take medication every four hours.

28) HS = (at bedtime)

This is written below prescribed medicine..This means you have to take medication at bedtime only.

29)PRN = (as needed)

This is written below prescribed medicine.this indicate you have to take medication as needed.

30) Mg = (milligrams)

This is written Infront of prescribed medicine.This indicates the contents of drug in miligrams.

31) Mcg/ug = (micrograms)

This is written Infront of prescribed medicine.this indicates the contents of drug in micrograms.

32) G or Gm = (grams)

This is written Infront of prescribed medicine.This indicates content of the drug in gram.

33) 1TSF ( Teaspoon) = 5 ml

This is written below prescribed medicine. This means you have take liquid medicine/syrup in a quantity of 5ml. 

34) 1 Tablespoonful =15ml

This is written below prescribed medicine.

This means you have take liquid medicine/syrup in a quantity of 15ml. 

I hope this information will help you to understand Doctors prescription easily. 

Do share this information with maximum number of people..

©Dr.Dinesh Solunke.