Here are the common abbreviations your doctor might use on the prescription. Either way, you should carefully listen and clarify with your doctor what his/her prescription means. Sometimes the pharmacist or apothecary chemist might interpret these abbreviations clearly. So always confirm with your doctor if you understood everything yourself.

Here are some common abbreviations:

• a. before
• ac. before meals
• pc. after meals
• d. day
• ex aq. with water
• m et n. morning and night
• OD. once daily
• PR. through the rectum
• PV. through the vagina
• qod. every other day
• qh. every hour
• q2h. every 2 hours
• nid. 4 times a day
• s. without
• bid. twice a day
• tid. 3 times a day
• ut dict. as directed