It is critical to understand and retain pharmacy sig codes. We've included a master list of these abbreviations in this blog.
January 1, 2022
What are pharmacy SIG codes?
Prescription abbreviations are commonly referred to as Pharmacy Sig Codes, and they are crucial for a pharmacist to memorize. These abbreviations or sig codes are used in prescriptions by doctors or medical practitioners. Because the majority of doctors now utilize electronic prescriptions, the usage of these acronyms has decreased significantly. However, it is critical for pharmacy school students, pharmacy technicians, and pharmacists to understand and retain these codes since they are an essential element of pharmacy training. We’ve included a master list of these abbreviations in this blog, which might come in handy.
Sig Medical Abbreviation (Pharmacy sig codes list)
While writing a prescription, more than 120 abbreviations are used, some of which are used frequently and others that are less common. In this list, we compiled a list of all Pharmacy Sig Codes that are used in prescription writing.
These must be kept in memory (mandatory):
| Sig Code | Meaning |
| AAA | apply to affected area |
| ac | before meals |
| ad | right ear |
| am | morning, in the morning, before noon |
| amp | ampule or ampul |
| amp | ampicillin |
| APAP | acetaminophen |
| aq | aqueous (water) |
| as | left ear |
| au | each ear, both ears |
| AUD | apply as directed |
| bid or b.i.d. | twice a day |
| BOT | bottle |
| BP | blood pressure |
| c | with |
| C or c | 100 (roman numeral) |
| cap | capsule |
| cc | cubic centimeter (1 cc = 1 mL) |
| cf | with food |
| CF | cough formula or cold formula |
| cm | centimeter |
| CPM | chlorpheniramine |
| cr | cream |
| CR | controlled release |
| cre | cream |
| D or d | 500 (roman numeral) |
| D/C or d/c | discontinue |
| DA | delayed action |
| DAW | dispense as written |
| dc or d/c | discontinue |
| DC | diagnosis code |
| dil | dilute, dissolve |
| disp | dispense |
| dL | deciliter |
| DM | dextromethorphan |
| DR | delayed release |
| DS | double strength |
| DV | daily value |
| EC or e.c. | enteric coated |
| ECT | enteric-coated tablet |
| ER | extended release |
| fl | fluid |
| fl oz | fluid ounce |
| ft | foot, feet |
| g | gram |
| gal | gallon |
| GG | guaifenesin |
| GGPE | guaifenesin/phenylephrine |
| gm | gram |
| gr | grain |
| gtt | drop |
| h or hr | hour |
| H2O | water |
| HA | headache |
| HBP | high blood pressure |
| HC | hydrocodone or hydrocortisone |
| HCT | hydrochlorothiazide |
| HCTZ | hydrochlorothiazide |
| hs | at bedtime |
| ht | height |
| HT or HTN | hypertension |
| I or i | 1 (roman numeral) |
| IM | intramuscular |
| in | inch |
| inh | inhalation |
| INH | isoniazid |
| inj | injection |
| IR | immediate release |
| IT or ITCH | itching |
| IU or I.U. | international unit |
| IV | intravenous |
| K | Potassium |
| KCl or KCL | Potassium Chloride |
| kg | kilogram |
| L or l | liter |
| L or l | 50 (roman numeral) |
| LA | long-acting |
| lb | pound |
| liq | liquid |
| lot | lotion |
| m | meter |
| M or m | 1,000 (roman numeral) |
| m² | square meters or meters squared |
| mcg | microgram |
| mcL | microliter |
| MDI | metered dose inhaler |
| MDP | Medrol Dose Pack |
| mEq | milliequivalent |
| Mg or Mag | Magnesium |
| mg | milligram |
| mg/dL | milligrams (mg) of substance per deciliter (dL) of blood |
| mL | milliliter |
| mm Hg | millimeters of mercury (measure of blood pressure) |
| MTX | methotrexate |
| MVI | Multi-Vitamins or multiple vitamins |
| N/A or n/a | not available |
| N&V or N/V | nausea and vomiting |
| NA | nausea |
| Na | Sodium |
| NaCl | Sodium Chloride (salt) |
| NaHCO3 | sodium bicarbonate |
| NDC | national drug code |
| NEB or neb | nebulizer |
| No. or no. | number |
| Nos. or nos. | numbers |
| noct | night, at night |
| NPH | N insulin (an intermediate-acting insulin) |
| NPH | N insulin (Humulin N or Novolin N) |
| NPI | National Provider Identifier |
| npo | nothing by mouth |
| NR or N.R. | no refill |
| NRF | no refill |
| NS | nasal spray |
| NS | normal saline (0.9% sodium chloride) |
| NTG | nitroglycerin |
| NV | nausea and vomiting |
| od | right eye |
| ODT | orally disintegrating tablet |
| oint | ointment |
| OP or OPH | ophthalmic |
| OPHT or OPHTH | ophthalmic |
| os | left eye |
| OTC | over the counter |
| ou | each eye, both eyes |
| oz | ounce |
| PA | prior authorization |
| PB or Pb | phenobarbital |
| pc | after meals |
| PCN | penicillin |
| pct | percent or percentage |
| PD | pediatric drop |
| PED | pediatric |
| PEG | polyethylene glycol (a laxative) |
| per | by or through |
| pH | a measure of how acidic or basic a substance is |
| pkd | packaged |
| pkg | package |
| pkt | packet |
| pm | evening, in the evening, after noon |
| PMS | premenstrual syndrome |
| PNV | prenatal vitamins |
| po | by mouth |
| pp | postprandial (after eating) |
| PR | per rectum, by rectum |
| prn | as needed |
| PSE | pseudoephedrine |
| pt | pint |
| pt or pt. | patient |
| PTU | propylthiouracil |
| q | every, each |
| qam | every morning |
| qd | every day, each day, daily |
| qdam | every day in the morning |
| qd pm | every day in the evening |
| qh | every hour |
| q12h | every 12 hours |
| q2-3h | every two to three hours |
| q24h | every 24 hours |
| q2-4h | every two to four hours |
| q4h | every four hours |
| q4-6h | every four to six hours |
| q4° | every four hours |
| q6° | every six hours |
| qhs | every night at bedtime |
| qid or q.i.d. | four times a day |
| qod | every other day |
| qpm | every evening |
| q 8pm | every day at 8 p.m. |
| qs or QS or Q.S. | quantity sufficient |
| qt | quart |
| QTY or qty | quantity |
| qw | every week, once a week |
| R | rectum, rectally |
| RA | rheumatoid arthritis |
| RF | refill |
| Rx | prescription |
| s | without |
| SA | sustained action |
| sc | subcutaneous, under the skin |
| sig | signa (directions for using a prescription) |
| SL or S.L. | sublingual, under the tongue |
| SMZ-TMP | sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim |
| SOB | shortness of breath |
| SOD or sod | sodium |
| sol or soln | solution |
| sq | subcutaneous, under the skin |
| SR | sustained release |
| ss | one half (½) (roman numeral) |
| stat | now; immediately |
| subq | subcutaneous, under the skin |
| sup or supp | suppository |
| susp | suspension |
| syr | syrup |
| SYR | syringe |
| tab | tablet |
| tac or TAC | triamcinolone |
| tud or TUD | take as directed |
| tat or TAT | until all taken |
| tbsp | tablespoonful |
| TCN | tetracycline |
| tiw or t.i.w. | three times a week |
| TMP | trimethoprim |
| top | topical |
| tr | timed-release |
| tsp | teaspoonful |
| tud or TUD | take as directed |
| U | units |
| uad or UAD | use as directed |
| uat or UAT | until all taken |
| ud | as directed |
| ut dict | as directed |
| ung | ointment |
| UTI | urinary tract infection |
| V or v | 5 (roman numeral) |
| vag | vagin*lly |
| w/ | with |
| w/o | without |
| WA | while awake |
| WH | wheezing |
| wk | week |
| wt | weight |
| WZ | wheezing |
| X or x | 10 (roman numeral) |
| X or x | times |
| x 1 RF | times one refill |
| X 3 RF | times three refills |
| XL | extra long |
| XR | extended release |
Tips for remembering sig codes for pharmacy
- Remembering these sig codes for pharmacy is a difficult task, so we’ve put up a quick guide to help you out.
- Remember that when you see O, it’s an eye that’s also round.
- When you see the letter A, remember that it stands for Eyer, since the audio we receive via our eyes also contains the letter A.
- Remember that when you see U, it’s a face that requires both eyes and ears.
Pharmacy Sig Codes FAQs
How do you write SIG on a prescription?
The Sig needs to include instructions on how much drug to take, how to take it, and how frequently it should be taken. For example, if you want your patient to take one 650 mg acetaminophen tablet every 6 hours, you would write “Take 1 tablet by mouth every six hours” or “1 tab PO q6h.”
What are the 3 types of prescription errors?
Dispensing a wrong medication, dosage strength, or dosage form; miscalculating a dose; and failing to recognize drug interactions or contraindications are the three most frequent dispensing errors.
What is TID in the SIG code?
Sig Codes have widely accepted Latin abbreviations used by doctors and pharmacies to communicate prescription information. QD (Latin for “quaque die,” or “once a day”), TID (Latin for “ter in die,” or “three times a day”), and PO (Latin for “per os,” or “by mouth”) are common Sig codes.
What is the difference between OD and BD in a prescription?
The Latin terms Omni die and bis in the die are abbreviated as OD and BD. In English, OD stands for Once Daily, whereas BD stands for Twice Daily.
What is the meaning of Rx?
In English, Rx is a Latin phrase that means “thou take” or “you take.” It was once thought to be the sign of God Jupiter, who was renowned as the God of Healing. The prescription writer prays to God for the patient’s quick recovery by writing Rx in the prescription. The superscription of a prescription refers to the section of the prescription where the Rx is written.
In medical terms, what does hs stand for?
“Hora Somni” is the full form of HS. Hora Somni is a Latin term that translates to “every bedtime.” The drug that we must take before going to bed has HS stated on the prescription.
Knowing the pharmacy sig codes helps you to improve your professional skills and help you solve work requirements quickly. Day by day, you will improve your own level which can help increase the salary you receive, especially today when the pharmaceutical industry is on the rise, this is also a way for you to increase your income. Let’s refer to the Average pharmacist salary to see if you are being paid reasonably.
Hope you find this article’s pharmacy sig codes helpful. Thank you for reading! If you want to get more information about drugs or PTCE tests, visit our website and take our freePTCE practice test, or download it for your IOSorAndroiddevices now!
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