Common Prescription AbbreviationsCommon Prescription Abbreviations Used in Writing Prescriptions
| Abbreviation | Translation |
| ac | before meals |
| bid | twice a day |
 | with |
| cap | capsule |
| DAW | dispense as written |
| D/C | discontinue |
| g | gram* |
| gr | grain |
| gtt | drop |
| hs | at bedtime |
| IM | intramuscular |
| IV | intravenously |
| L | liter |
| mcg | microgram |
| mEq | milliequivalent |
| mL | milliliter |
| NKA | no known allergy |
| NKDA | no known drug allergy |
| npo | nothing by mouth |
| pc | after meals |
| po | by mouth |
| prn | as needed |
| q | every |
| qh | every hour |
| q2h | every 2 hours |
| qid | four times a day |
| qs | a sufficient quantity |
| stat | immediately |
| tab | tablet |
| tid | three times daily |
| ud | as directed |
| wk | week |
* The abbreviation gm is sometimes used for gram.
Note: Some prescribers may write abbreviations using capital letters or periods. However, periods should not be used with metrics or medical abbreviations as they can be a source of medication errors.
Problematic Prescription Abbreviations
| Unapproved Abbreviation | Correct Form to Use |
| µg | microgram or mcg |
| qd | every day |
| qod | every other day |
| U | units |
| MgSO4 | magnesium sulfate |
| MSO4 | morphine sulfate |
| no leading zero, .2 |
| (often read as 2, creating a tenfold error) | 0.2 |
| Trailing zero, 2.0 |
| (often read as 20, creating a tenfold error) | 2 |
Note: Additional dangerous abbreviations are listed at www.ismp.org.
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