Question | Answer |
ac | before meals |
bid | twice a day |
-c | 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 |
qd | every day |
qod | every other day |
U | units |
MgSO4 | magnesium sulfate |
MSO4 | morphine sulfate |
ACE | angiotensin-converting enzyme |
ACh | acetylcholine |
ACLS | advanced cardiac life support |
ACTH | adrenocorticotrophic hormone |
ADA | American Dental Association |
ADD | attention-deficit disorder |
ADH | antidiuretic hormone |
ADHD | attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder |
ADP | adenosine diphosphate |
ADR | adverse drug reaction |
AHA | American Heart Association |
AIDS | acquired immune deficiency syndrome |
ALS | amyotrophic lateral sclerosis |
AMA | American Medical Association |
AMD | age-related macular degeneration |
ANS | autonomic nervous system |
APhA | American Pharmaceutical Association |
ATP | adenosine triphosphate |
AV | atrioventricular |
BP | blood pressure |
BPH | benign prostatic hyperplasia or hypertrophy |
BUN | blood urea nitrogen |
cAMP | cyclic adenosine monophosphate |
CBC | complete blood count; complete blood [cell] count |
CCU | coronary care unit |
CDC | Centers for Disease Control |
cDNA | complementary DNA |
CF | cystic fibrosis |
CHF | congestive heart failure |
CMV | cytomegalovirus |
CNS | central nervous system |
CO | cardiac output |
COMT | catechol-o-methyl transferase |
COPD | chronic obstructive pulmonary disease |
COX-1 | cyclooxygenase-1 |
COX-2 | cyclooxygenase-2 |
CPR | cardiopulmonary resuscitation |
CRF | corticotrophin-releasing factor |
CSF | colony-stimulating factors |
CTCL | cutaneous T-cell lymphoma |
CTZ | chemotrigger zone |
CV | cardiovascular |
CVA | cardiovascular accident |
DEA | Drug Enforcement Administration |
DIC | disseminated intravascular coagulation |
DMARD | disease-modifying antirheumatic drug |
DNA | deoxyribonucleic acid |
DOC | drug of choice |
DTs | delirium tremens |
DVT | deep vein thrombosis |
ECG | electrocardiographic |
ECT | electroconvulsive therapy |
EEG | electroencephalographic |
EPS | extrapyramidal symptoms |
EPSE | extrapyramidal side effect |
ERT | estrogen replacement therapy |
ESR | erythrocyte sedimentation rate |
ESRD | end-stage renal disease |
FDA | Food and Drug Administration |
FSH | follicle-stimulating hormone |
GABA | gamma-aminobutyric acid |
G-CSF | granulocyte colony-stimulating factor |
GERD | gastroesophageal reflux disease |
GH | growth hormone |
GHRF | growth hormone releasing factor |
GI | gastrointestinal |
GM-CSF | granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor |
GMP | good manufacturing practice |
GRF | gonadotrophic-releasing factor |
hBNP | human B-type natriuretic peptide |
HCG | human chorionic gonadotropin |
HDL | high-density lipoprotein |
HIV | human immunodeficiency virus |
HPA | hypothalamus/pituitary/adrenal [axis] |
HRT | hormone replacement therapy |
IBS | irritable bowel syndrome |
IBW | ideal body weight |
ICU | intensive care unit |
Ig | immunoglobulin |
IgE | immunoglobulin E |
IgG | immunoglobulin G |
IL-2 | interleukin-2 |
INH | isoniazid |
INR | International Normalized Ratio |
ISA | intrinsic sympathomimetic activity |
IVIG | intravenous immune globulin |
KS | Kaposi’s sarcoma |
LAK | lyphokine-activated killer |
LDL | low-density lipoprotein |
LH | luteinizing hormone |
LSD | lysergic acid diethylamide |
MAb | monoclonal antibody |
MAOI | monoamine oxidase inhibitor |
MCA | monoclonal antibody |
mcg | microgram |
MDI | metered dose inhaler |
MHC | major histocompatability complex |
MI | myocardial infarction |
MS | multiple sclerosis |
MVI | multiple vitamin complex |
NDA | New Drug Application |
NGU | nongonococcal urethritis |
NK | natural killer |
NNRTI | non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor |
NREM | nonrapid eye movement |
NRTI | nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor |
NSAID | nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug |
NtRTI | nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitor |
OC | oral contraceptive |
OCD | obsessive-compulsive disorder |
OR | operating room |
OTC | over-the-counter |
PABA | para-aminobenzoic acid |
PAF | prostatic antibacterial factor |
PCA | patient-controlled analgesia |
PCBs | polychlorinated biphenyls |
PE | pulmonary embolism |
PEFR | peak expiratory flow rate |
PEP | post-exposure prophylaxis |
PG | prostaglandin |
pH | acid-base balance |
PI | protease inhibitor |
PID | pelvic inflammatory disease |
PMDD | premenstrual dysphoric disorder |
PMS | premenstrual syndrome |
PNS | peripheral nervous system |
PO | peroral, by mouth |
PPD | purified protein derivative |
PT | prothrombin time |
PTCB | Pharmacy Technician Certification Board |
PTT | partial thromboplastin time |
PTU | propylthiouracil |
PUD | peptic ulcer disease |
PVC | premature ventricular contraction |
RA | rheumatoid arthritis |
RBC | red blood cell; red blood [cell] count |
RDA | recommended daily allowance |
RDS | respiratory distress syndrome |
REM | rapid eye movement |
RF | rheumatoid factor |
RIND | reversible ischemic neurologic deficit |
RNA | ribonucleic acid |
RSV | respiratory syncytial virus |
RTH | ready-to-hang |
SA | sinoatrial |
SNS | sympathetic nervous system |
SR | sustained release |
SSRI | selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor |
STD | sexually transmitted disease |
T1/2 | half-life |
TB | tuberculosis |
TCA | tricyclic antidepressant |
TCR | T-cell receptor |
TIA | transient ischemia attack |
TNA | total nutrient admixture |
TNF | tumor necrosis factor |
tPA | tissue plasminogen activator |
TPN | total parenteral nutrition |
TPR | total peripheral resistance |
TSH | thyroid stimulating hormone |
USAN | United States Adopted Name |
VHF | viral hemorrhagic fever |
VLDL | very-low-density lipoprotein |
WBC | white blood cell; white blood [cell] count |