Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsPrescription AbbreviationsOrigins of RxCommon Abbreviation ErrorsDeclining Use of Terms
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Prescription Abbreviations
Origins of Rx
Common Abbreviation Errors
Declining Use of Terms
Prescription abbreviations like qd, hs, or bid can sometimes be found on your medication labels. These abbreviations are derived from the Latin words for “every day,” “at bedtime,” and “twice daily,” respectively.
Your pharmacy will translate your healthcare provider’s medication instructions on the medicine’s label. Sometimes, a mistake can happen, and ashorthand abbreviationwill appear on your medication. So understanding these abbreviations can come in handy as well as understanding common prescription abbreviation errors.
List of Common Prescription Abbreviations
It is unlikely that you will see Latin-based prescription abbreviations for medications you take at home. If they are on your prescription, yourpharmacistis responsible for reviewing your medications with you and counseling you to ensure youunderstand your home medications.
If you ever pick up a prescription and see shorthand like these abbreviations, double-check their meaning with the pharmacist to ensure you take your medications as prescribed.
There are well over 150 prescription abbreviations. They include the following:
An Example of Prescription Abbreviations
Here is an example of what a healthcare provider might write on a prescription:
Sig: 1 tab po qid pc & hs
The abbreviations may be written in capital letters or small letters, and may or may not include periods.
The Origins of “Rx” as an Abbreviation for “Prescription”
Rx is an abbreviation for “prescription.” The abbreviation relays to pharmacists that a prescription is authorized to be filled. In the U.S. it is believed that the origin of the symbol is an abbreviation of the Latin word for “recipe,” which means “take.”
In Europe, another suggestion of the origin of the symbol appears to represent the astronomical sign of the planet Jupiter.
According to another theory, the Rx symbol is based on the Roman deity Jupiter. Jupiter’s symbol looked similar to the Rx symbol. The symbol may have been placed on a prescription to invoke Jupiter’s blessing.
What Is the Difference Between Rx and Px?Px and Rx are often confused for one another. However, Px does not mean prescription like Rx does. Depending on where it is used, Px can be a shorthand for “prognosis” or for “procedure code.” As a procedure code, Px will precede a numerical code that represents a specific medical procedure indicated for a patient.
What Is the Difference Between Rx and Px?
Px and Rx are often confused for one another. However, Px does not mean prescription like Rx does. Depending on where it is used, Px can be a shorthand for “prognosis” or for “procedure code.” As a procedure code, Px will precede a numerical code that represents a specific medical procedure indicated for a patient.
Although mistakes are rare, prescription errors may occur because of a misunderstanding regarding the abbreviations. Mistakes may occur due to unclear or messy handwriting or simply because of a typo.
Also, the presence of a period may cause some confusion. For example, the abbreviation “ad” means “up to,” but “a.d.” means “right ear.” In other cases, however, the period doesn’t make a difference. For instance, both “s” and “s.” mean “without,” regardless of the period.
In some cases, however, the use of a period can be misunderstood to look like a letter (such as a lowercase L) and that may cause an error. Other letters might also be misread. For example, an “a” can look like an “o” depending on the provider’s handwriting style.
Common prescription abbreviation errors may include:
If you notice a discrepancy between the instructions you received from your provider and the instructions on your medication label, speak to your provider or pharmacist to clarify before taking the medication.
Declining Use of Prescription Abbreviations
The Latin terms are still in use, but some healthcare providers are retiring them. It is becoming more common for healthcare providers to write prescription instructions in plain language.
Readable prescriptions can help prevent medication errors. That is why many medical professionals believe written instructions should be used instead of hard-to-read abbreviations.
E-prescribing, or electronic prescribing, can also help prevent medication errors.Instructions sent directly to the pharmacy electronically are less prone to human error. If your healthcare provider uses electronic prescribing, you may never see the abbreviations.
E-prescribing improves patient safety in a number of ways, such as:Eliminating hard-to-read prescriptionsReducing the need for verbal communication, which can lead to mistakesAlerting the healthcare provider if the patient has a drugallergyAlerting the healthcare provider to possible drug interactionsMaking it easier for the healthcare provider to view the patient’s medication history
E-prescribing improves patient safety in a number of ways, such as:
Summary
If you receive a written prescription, make sure you understand the directions. If the directions are unclear or confusing, ask yourhealthcare provideror pharmacist to explain. Don’t take chances: ask a medical professional what the shorthand means before you take the prescription home.
7 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Charter College.72 Abbreviations Every Pharmacy Tech Needs to Know.Minnesota Health Related Licensing Boards.Partial list of prescription abbreviations.Ohashi K.[Memorandum on the origin of Rx, the signal be employed to the heading in the prescription]. Yakushigaku Zasshi. 1995;30(2):91-95. PMID: 11613537Voice of America.Take this medicine: the story of the sign ‘Rx’.University of Minnesota Duluth.Prescription abbreviations.Institute for Safe Medication Practices.ISMP’s list of error-prone abbreviations, symbols,and dose designations.Porterfield A, Engelbert K, Coustasse A.Electronic prescribing: improving the efficiency and accuracy of prescribing in the ambulatory care setting.Perspect Health Inf Manag. 2014;11(Spring):1g.
7 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Charter College.72 Abbreviations Every Pharmacy Tech Needs to Know.Minnesota Health Related Licensing Boards.Partial list of prescription abbreviations.Ohashi K.[Memorandum on the origin of Rx, the signal be employed to the heading in the prescription]. Yakushigaku Zasshi. 1995;30(2):91-95. PMID: 11613537Voice of America.Take this medicine: the story of the sign ‘Rx’.University of Minnesota Duluth.Prescription abbreviations.Institute for Safe Medication Practices.ISMP’s list of error-prone abbreviations, symbols,and dose designations.Porterfield A, Engelbert K, Coustasse A.Electronic prescribing: improving the efficiency and accuracy of prescribing in the ambulatory care setting.Perspect Health Inf Manag. 2014;11(Spring):1g.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Charter College.72 Abbreviations Every Pharmacy Tech Needs to Know.Minnesota Health Related Licensing Boards.Partial list of prescription abbreviations.Ohashi K.[Memorandum on the origin of Rx, the signal be employed to the heading in the prescription]. Yakushigaku Zasshi. 1995;30(2):91-95. PMID: 11613537Voice of America.Take this medicine: the story of the sign ‘Rx’.University of Minnesota Duluth.Prescription abbreviations.Institute for Safe Medication Practices.ISMP’s list of error-prone abbreviations, symbols,and dose designations.Porterfield A, Engelbert K, Coustasse A.Electronic prescribing: improving the efficiency and accuracy of prescribing in the ambulatory care setting.Perspect Health Inf Manag. 2014;11(Spring):1g.
Charter College.72 Abbreviations Every Pharmacy Tech Needs to Know.
Minnesota Health Related Licensing Boards.Partial list of prescription abbreviations.
Ohashi K.[Memorandum on the origin of Rx, the signal be employed to the heading in the prescription]. Yakushigaku Zasshi. 1995;30(2):91-95. PMID: 11613537
Voice of America.Take this medicine: the story of the sign ‘Rx’.
University of Minnesota Duluth.Prescription abbreviations.
Institute for Safe Medication Practices.ISMP’s list of error-prone abbreviations, symbols,and dose designations.
Porterfield A, Engelbert K, Coustasse A.Electronic prescribing: improving the efficiency and accuracy of prescribing in the ambulatory care setting.Perspect Health Inf Manag. 2014;11(Spring):1g.
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