Reading your prescription....

Have you ever looked at a prescription and wondered what it said? How much were you able to decipher?

I'd like to give you a crash course on some medical abbreviations that may help you to understand what your doctor is writing if you're able to understand their scribble.

hs - bedtime
PRN - as needed
STAT - immediately
c with a line above it - with
s with a line above it - without
q - at
i - one
ii - two
iii - three
OD - once daily
BID - twice daily
TID - three times daily
QID - four times daily
tab - tablet
cap - capsule
Rx - treatment
PO - by mouth
NPO - nothing by mouth
R with a circle around it - repeats
c/o - complaints of
S&S - signs and symptoms

here are a few examples

• i tab qhs c with a line above it food - take one tablet at bedtime with food
  
• ii cap PRN for headache - take two capsules as needed for headache
  
• i tab TID x3days  - take one tablet three times daily for three days 
  
• 30mg OD x3days then 60mg OD x7days then 90mg OD - this is a medication order requesting that the dose is increased - the amount (number of tablets/capsules etc) of medication you will take will be determined by what the pharmacist has on hand. It is ordering the medication to be taken once daily. Your doctor will tell you when they feel it's best for you to take this medication ie. when you wake up or at bedtime, with food or without. If there is no instruction given ask your pharmacist.

There are many more medical abbreviations that your doctor may use but these I hope will at least get you started to understanding what your doctor is writing down. It is best that you understand what your prescription is and what the instructions are prior to leaving your doctor's office. If you still have questions about what you are taking and how to take it properly, please also speak with your pharmacist. They can answer your questions as well. Education is key to using medications. Make sure your choice is an informed one.