Pharmacy Abbreviations Flashcards

Study Notes

Pharmacy Abbreviations and Symbols

A variety of medical abbreviations are used in pharmacy to communicate effectively about medications, dosages, and administration routes.

Administration Routes

a.d.: indicates administration to the right ear.
a.s., a.l.: denotes administration to the left ear.
a.u.: refers to administration to each ear.
i.m., IM: stands for intramuscular administration.
i.v., IV: signifies intravenous administration.
i.v.p., IVP: indicates intravenous push.
i.v.p.b., IVPB: refers to intravenous piggyback.

Eye Administration

o.d.: indicates administration to the right eye.
o.s., o.l.: denotes administration to the left eye.
o.u.: refers to administration to each eye.

Oral and Other Routes

per neb: administration by nebulizer.
p.o.: means by mouth.
p.r.: signifies rectal administration.
p.v.: indicates vaginal administration.
SC, subc, sq: all refer to subcutaneous administration.
s.l., SL: stands for sublingual administration.
top.: indicates topical application.

Forms of Medications

aq, aqua: refers to water.
buc: indicates buccal administration.
caps: stands for capsule form.
cm, crm: denotes cream.
elx: refers to elixir.
liq: indicates liquid.
lot: signifies lotion.
loz: indicates lozenge.
supp.: stands for suppository.
SR, XR, XL, TD, XT, CD: all refer to slow or extended release formulations.
sol, soln: indicates solution.
susp.: stands for suspension.
syr.: refers to syrup.
tab: indicates tablet.
tinc.: stands for tincture.
ung., oint: refers to ointment.

Dosing Information

a.c.: means before meals.
a.m.: signifies morning.
atc: stands for around the clock.
b.i.d, bid: indicates administration twice a day.
b.i.w., biw: means twice a week.
h: refers to an hour.
h.s.: means at bedtime.
p.c.: indicates after meals.
p.m.: signifies afternoon or evening.
p.r.n., prn: means as needed.
q.i.d., qid: indicates four times a day.
q.d.: means every day.
q_h: signifies every _ hour(s).
qod: indicates every other day.
rtc: stands for round the clock.
stat.: means immediately.
t.i.d., tid: signifies three times a day.
t.i.w., tiw: indicates three times a week.

Quantitative Abbreviations

aq.ad: means add water up to a specified volume.
dil.: stands for dilute.
g., gm.: refers to grams.
mg.: indicates milligrams.
ml., mL: means milliliters.
oz.: stands for ounces.
q.s.: means a sufficient quantity.
tbsp., T: signifies tablespoon.
tsp.: indicates teaspoon.

Miscellaneous Abbreviations

dc, D/C: means discontinue.
disp.: refers to dispense.
gtt.: stands for drop.
NR: means no refill.
NS: signifies normal saline.
qnoc: means every night.
s, w/o: signifies without.
Sig.: indicates to write or label instructions.
tuss.: relates to cough.
uf/ug: signifies until finished/until gone.
ut dict., u.d.: means as directed.

Numerical Abbreviations

i, ii, iii: represent one, two, three, etc.
a.a. or aa: indicates of each.
ad: means to, or up to.

Description

Test your knowledge of common pharmacy abbreviations and symbols with this flashcard quiz. Each card features a term along with its definition, covering essential SIG codes used in medication instructions. Perfect for pharmacy students and healthcare professionals.