How to Read Your Prescription

decipher this prescription

Why be left in the dark when it comes to your health? Especially when it's potentially lethal medications. At your doctor's visit he prescribes you a medicine, he even tells you what he's giving you to take for what's ailing you. But you are a layman when it comes to medical terminology, so what you're holding in your hand is a piece of paper with words---in--another--language? I've listed below the meaning of some common medical abbreviations to show you how to read your prescription.

Instructions

1. Try to decipher the following prescription:

   [drug name] 500 mg 2 tab po bid x5d

   (answer)- Read it as:
   [drug name] 500 milligrams, 2 tablets, by mouth, twice daily, for 5 days

   Now, try to decipher this prescription:

   [drug name] 50mg po q6h prn n/v

   (answer)- Read it as:
   [drug name] 50 milligrams, by mouth, every 6 hours, as needed, nausea/vomiting

   Study these common abbreviations and memorize to help you when reading your prescription:
   po = by mouth
   mg = milligrams
   sublingual = under tongue
   q = every
   qd = every day
   h = hour(s)
   prn = as needed
   bid = twice daily
   tid = three times daily
   qid = four times daily
   x = for
   d = days
   cap = capsule
   tab = tablets
   n/v = nausea/vomiting

2. Familiarize yourself with these abbreviations:

   Dose: ml= milliliters, g= grams, gtts= drops

   Directions: QAM= every morning, qHS= at bedtime, AC= before meals, PC=after meals

   Route: au = each ear, ou = each eye, IM=intramuscularly, IV = intravenously, PR = by rectum, SC or SQ=subcutaneously

3. Practice often by using a family member's prescriptions to try to decipher what it says. You will be amazed at how easy it can be, all it takes is practice.

Tips & Warnings

• Remember these are just some of the most common prescription abbreviations, there are many more that are not covered in this article.