In general, abbreviations should not be used in prescription writing; however, it is recognized that at present some Latin abbreviations are used when prescribing. These should be limited to those listed here.

Abbreviations used in prescription writing

• a.c. Before meals  
• ad. lib. At pleasure  
• amp. Ampoule  
• b.i.d. Twice a day  
• cap. Capsule  
• g Gram  
• h Hour  
• i.m. Intramuscular  
• i.p. Intraperitoneal  
• i.v. Intravenous  
• m2 Square metre  
• mg Milligram  
• ml Millilitre  
• o.m. In the morning  
• o.n. At night  
• p.c. After meals  
• p.o. By mouth, orally  
• prn As required  
• q Every, e.g. q8h = every 8 hours  
• q.i.d./q.d.s Four times a day  
• q.s. A sufficient quantity  
• s.c. Subcutaneous  
• s.i.d. Once a day  
• Sig Directions/label  
• stat Immediately  
• susp.  Suspension  
• tab Tablet  
• t.i.d./t.d.s. Three times a day  

Other abbreviations used in this Formulary

• ACE Angiotensin converting enzyme  
• ACTH Adrenocorticotropic hormone  
• AV Atrioventricular  
• CBC Complete blood count  
• CHF Congestive heart failure  
• CNS Central nervous system  
• COX Cyclo-oxygenase  
• CRI  Continuous rate infusion  
• CSF Cerebrospinal fluid  
• d Day(s)  
• DNA Deoxyribonucleic acid  
• ECG Electrocardiography  
• EMA European Medicines Agency  
• EPI Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency  
• GABA Gamma-aminobutyric acid  
• GI Gastrointestinal  
• Hb Haemoglobin  
• MIC Minimum inhibitory concentration  
• min Minute(s)  
• NSAID Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug  
• PU/PD Polyuria/polydipsia  
• RBC Red blood cell  
• STC Special Treatment Certificate  
• VMD Veterinary Medicines Directorate  
• WBC White blood cell  
• wk Week(s)