Pharmacology Abbreviations

A reference table for commonly used pharmacology terms and abbreviations.

Drugs
ACD	Anticonvulsant drug
ACR	Adverse drug reaction
ASA	Acetylsalicyclic acid (aspirin)
CD	Curative dose
D, dos	Dose, dosage
DAW	Dispense as written
DAWN	Drug Abuse Warning Network
DIG	Digitalis
DSB	Drug-seeking behavior
IND	Investigational new drug
INH	Isoniazid (TB drug)
LD	Lethal dose
MAOI	Monoamine oxidase inhibitor
MAR	Medication administration record
Meds	Med, medications, medicines
NSAID	Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug
OD	(drug) overdose
OTC	Over the counter
PCA	Patient-controlled analgesia
PCN, PNC	Penicillin
Rx	Prescription, drug, medication
sig	Label
TDM	Therapeutic drug monitoring

Formulations
aer	aerosol
aq	water, aqueous
bol, pill	pill
cap	capsule
comp	compound
dil, dilute	dilute
elix, el	elixir
ext	extract
fld, FL	fluid
garg	a gargle
gtt, gt	drops, grop
linim	liniment
liq	liquid
lot	lotion
M	mixture, mix
pulv	powder (pulvule)
sol, soln	solution
solv	dissolve
spt	spirit
supp	suppository
susp	suspension
syr	syrup
tab	tablet
tinct	tincture
ung	ointment

Administration directions
ā	before
ā ā	of each
ac	before meals
ad lib.	freely, as desired
admov	apply
AM	before noon
atc	around the clock
bib	drink
bid	twice a day
p	with
d	day
dc, D/C	discontinue
h	hour
hs	at bedtime
npo	nothing by mouth
od	every day, daily
p	after
pc	after meals
PM	afternoon, evening
prn	as required/needed
q	every
qd	every day
qh	every hour
qid	four times a day
ql	as much as desired
qm	every morning
qn	every night
qod	every other day
qoh	every other hour
qon	every other night
qp	as much as desired
qmn, qn	every night/evening
qs	quantity sufficient
p	without
semih	half an hour
sos	if necessary
ss	half
tid	three times a day
tin	three times a night
ut dict	as directed

Routes
hypo	hypodermic (injection)
IC, ICAV	intracavitary
ID	intradermal
IM	intramuscular
inhal	inhalation
inj, inject	injection
IT, i-thec	intrathecal
IV	intravenous
IVP	intravenous push
IVPB	intravenous piggyback
MDI	metered-dose inhaler
parent, P	parenteral
po	orally
pr	through rectum, per rectum
SL, subl	sublingual
SQ, SC, subq, subcu	subcutaneous
TDD	transdermal drug delivery
top	topically