Common Symbols used by Doctors, A Simple Guide for Everyone
Jul 03, 2025
When you visit a doctor, you might notice strange abbreviations written on your prescription, reports, or medical files. These medical abbreviations are commonly used by doctors, nurses, and pharmacists to save time and space. But for patients, these can be confusing.
In this blog, we’ll help you understand the most common doctor abbreviations in a very simple and easy way. Whether you're reading your prescription or just curious, this guide will help you feel more confident about your healthcare.
Why Do Doctors Use Abbreviations?
- Save time while writing
- Quickly share important information
- Keep medical records short and clear
Common Doctor Abbreviations You Should Know
1. Prescription Abbreviations (When to Take Medicine)
|
Abbreviation |
Meaning |
Example |
|
OD |
Once daily |
Take medicine 1 time per day |
|
BD / BID |
Twice daily |
Take medicine 2 times per day |
|
TID |
Three times daily |
Take medicine 3 times per day |
|
QID |
Four times daily |
Take medicine 4 times per day |
|
HS |
At bedtime |
Take medicine before sleeping |
|
AC |
Before meals |
Take medicine before eating |
|
PC |
After meals |
Take medicine after eating |
|
PRN |
When needed |
Take medicine only if required |
|
STAT |
Immediately |
Take medicine right away |
2. How to Take Medicine (Routes of Medicine)
|
Abbreviation |
Meaning |
|
PO |
Take by mouth (oral) |
|
IV |
Injection into vein |
|
IM |
Injection into muscle |
|
SC / SQ |
Injection under skin |
|
SL |
Medicine under the tongue |
|
PR |
Medicine through rectum |
|
TOP |
Apply on skin (cream/gel) |
|
INH |
Inhale (for asthma etc.) |
3. Medicine Forms Abbreviations
|
Abbreviation |
Meaning |
|
Tab. |
|
|
Cap. |
Capsule |
|
Syr. |
Syrup |
|
Susp. |
Suspension |
|
Inj. |
Injection |
|
Supp. |
Suppository |
4. Important Health Abbreviations
|
Abbreviation |
Meaning |
|---|---|
|
BP |
Blood Pressure |
|
HR |
Heart Rate |
|
RR |
Breathing Rate |
|
NPO |
Nothing by mouth (No food or drink) |
|
FU |
Follow-up (Next doctor visit) |
|
Pt. |
Patient |
|
C/O |
Complains of (Your problem) |
|
D/C |
Stop medicine or discharge from hospital |
Why It’s Important to Understand These Abbreviations?
Helps you follow the prescription correctly
Improves communication with your doctor
Avoids mistakes in taking medicines
Makes you feel more involved in your health care
Quick Tips:
- Always ask your doctor or pharmacist if you don’t understand any part of your prescription.
- Write down your schedule to remember when to take your medicines.
- Never guess abbreviations. When in doubt, double-check!
Reading a doctor’s prescription doesn’t have to be confusing! With this simple guide, you can now easily understand common doctor abbreviations and feel more confident about your treatment.
If you are looking for trusted and doctor-recommended medicines, explore Steris Healthcare Pvt. Ltd. – a reliable name in the pharma industry since 2018. We provide high-quality, result-oriented medicines across various health categories. Doctors across India recommend Steris for its effective, safe, and affordable products.Steris is dedicated to improving patient health outcomes with scientifically proven medicines.
Next time you get a prescription, look for Steris Healthcare medicines — where quality meets trust.
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