Decoding Your Doctor’s Precriptions

January 8, 2017
Joseph R. Anticaglia, MD

“Why do doctors have such terrible handwriting? I can barely read a word on my prescription slip. Take a look at this:”

Sig. 1 po 45 min ac breakfast qd

Look familiar? The truth is many doctors do have horrible handwriting but most likely you cannot understand what’s written because they write in code. Doctors combine words and abbreviations, a medical short-hand, allowing for communication between pharmacists and physicians.

Every profession uses their own lingo and shorthand to communicate. A doctor might say, “I need to have this test done “Stat!” Some waitresses still might yell, “Adam and Eve on a raft.” Also, it’s known that the Secretary of Defense has ordered the armed forces to DEFCON 3.

Having the ability to decode your prescriptions can help prevent allergic reactions, dosage errors and other medical problems. Following is information to better understand what’s written on a doctor’s prescription slip.

Brand Name vs. Generics

Generics refer to the chemical makeup of a drug rather than the pharmaceutical company’s easy to pronounce, advertised brand name. Compare metronidazole to Flagyl. The generics should cost less with the co-payments being less expensive.

The ‘Nitty-Gritty’ of a Prescription Example
Name of medication Protonix
Dosage of Medication 40 mg
Dispense # 30
Timing of your medication 45 min.ac breakfast
Frequency of taking medication qd
Where and how to take the medication po
Refill X3
Generic substitution permissible yes

Most prescriptions follow the same basic format. (More about the above example a bit later).

Below are samplings of Latin derived, commonly uses abbreviations. Keep in mind, the landscape is changing due to the forwarding of electronic prescriptions by physicians or their assistants.to pharmacists

Dosage of Medication

tsp. teaspoon
tbsp tablespoon

mg milligrams
ml milliliters

caps capsules
tabs tablets

gtts drops

Timing of your medication

ac — before meals
pc — after meals
hs — at bedtime

Take this medication with food — doctors usually write “with food” with no abbreviation.

Frequency of taking the medication

q — every
q4h — every 4 hours (or every 8 hours and so on)
qd — once a day; every day; daily

bid — twice a day
tid — three times a day
qid — four times a day

prn — as needed

Where to place, how to use your medication

as — left ear
ad — right ear
au — both ears

os — left eye
od — right eye
ou — both eyes

po — by mouth

The above highlights some of the more common abbreviations encountered on a prescription. As more medical offices use electronic means to prescribe medications, it’s useful for you to obtain a printout of medications to show your pharmacist.

Sig literally means “let it be labeled.” It implies labeling the directions on the bottle regarding the dosage, timing and frequency of the medication. Oh yes, the above example:

Pantoprazole 40 mg (this generic medication was substituted for the brand name — Protonix)
Disp # 30
Sig. 1 tab po 45 min ac breakfast qd

(take one tablet by mouth 45 minutes before breakfast daily)
Refills X 3

Hopefully, you are now somewhat better able to read prescriptions in spite of a doctor’s handwriting


Glossary

Stat — means immediate!
NR — no refills
DAW — dispense as written. The pharmacist usually can substitute the generic medication for the brand name drug unless the doctor specifically writes or indicates DAW on the prescription.

This article is intended solely as a learning experience. Please consult your physician for diagnostic and treatment options.

© HC Smart, Inc.