Appendix B.
Selected List of Latin Pharmaceutical Abbreviations
| Abbreviation | Usage Meaning | Latin Term |
| ac | Before meals | Ante Cibum |
| AD | Right ear | Auris Dextra |
| ad | upto | |
| ad lib | As Desired | Ad Libitum |
| AS | Left ear | Auris Sinistra |
| Au | Each ear | Auris Utro |
| bid | Twice a Day | Bis in Die) (Die pronounced "DEE") |
| c with line over it | With | Cum |
| D. | Dispense | Dispensa (in subscription), |
| DTD | dispense such doses | Dentur tales doses No., (in subscription) |
| gtt | Drop | gutta |
| H.S. | at Bedtime | Hora Somni |
| IVPB | Intravenous Intermittent Bolus | |
| IVP | Intravenous Push | |
| NR | Do not repeat | Non Repetatur, (for refills) |
| OD | Right Eye | Oculus Dexter |
| OS | Left Eye | Oculus Sinister |
| OU | Each Eye | Oculus Uterque |
| pc | After meals | Post Cibos |
| po | Orally | Per Os |
| prn | As needed | Pro Re Nata |
| q | Every | Quaque |
| q.d. | Every day | Quaque Die (don't use-may look like q.i.d) |
| q_h | Every _ Hours (ex. q 8h) | Quaque _ Hora |
| QID | Four times a Day | Quarter in Die |
| qs ad | Quantity sufficient to make Example: total ingredients= 12 ml, qs ad 15 ml (add water to make final volume 15 ml). |
Quantum sufficit Ad |
| s with line over it | Without | Sine |
| Sig. | Mark thou | Signa (as in instructions to the patient) |
| ss with line over it | One Half | Semis |
| STAT | Immediately | Statim |
| TID | Three times a Day | Ter in Die |
| TPN | Total Parenteral Nutrition | |
| u.d | As Directed | Ut Dictum (Do not use this abbreviation!) |
Also: Refer to P. Lofholm and B. Katzung, Rational Prescribing and Prescription Writing,
pp 1007 In, B. Katzung, Basic and Clinical Pharmacology, Lange Medical
Books/McGraw-Hill,New York, 2001.