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List of medical abbreviations: Latin abbreviations. The main discussion of these abbreviations in the context of drug prescriptions and other medical prescriptions is at List of abbreviations used in medical prescriptions. Some of these abbreviations are best not used, as marked and explained here. Abbrev.
Abbrev.MeaningLatin (or Neo-latin) Origina.c.before mealsante cibuma.d., ad, ADright earauris dextraa.m., am, AMnocteevery nightOmne NocteMar 16, 2014 · Now, let’s analyze some common pairs: BID (twice a day) versus q12h (every 12 hours); TID (thrice a day) vs q8h (every 8 hours). There is certainly a difference! BID and TID regimens occur when the patient is awake.
q. (followed by a number and sometimes the letter h.) = Every x number of hours. For example q.8h. means to use the medication every 8 hours. Another common abbreviation is q.4h. In these. abbreviations, the letter “q” stands for “quaque” which means “every.”. q.a.d. = See q.o.d.
- Overview
- How often do I take a medicine that says 3 times a day? Does 3 times a day mean every 8 hours?
- How many hours apart is 3 times a day?
- How often do I take a medicine that says 4 times a day? Does 4 times a day mean every 6 hours?
- How many hours apart is 4 times a day?
If your prescription says three times a day or four times a day – how many hours apart is that? What does 3x or 4x a day really mean?
You may be surprised to learn that 3 times a day and 4 times a day are not standardized terms nor do they correspond to specific time intervals in hours. They are more an English translation from the Latin TID (stands for ter in die which translates to three times a day) or QID (stands for quater in die which translates to four times a day) that doctors will write on a prescription so a pharmacist can write instructions on the label about how many times to take it. See our article Medical Abbreviations on Pharmacy Prescriptions for more information on medical abbreviations.
If you are told to take a medicine 3 times a day, then that usually means to take it at close to even intervals while you are awake. It does not mean you have to get up in the middle of the night to take your medicine unless your doctor or pharmacist has specifically told you to do so.
For example, if you have been told to take your medicine 3 times a day and you usually wake up at 7am and go to bed at 10pm then the best time to take a medicine 3 times a day would be:
•7 am (when you wake up)
•2 pm (early afternoon)
•9 pm (just before you go to bed).
If you have been told to take your medicine 3 times a day WITH FOOD, the best time to take a medicine 3 times a day with food would be:
A medicine written 3 times daily should roughly be taken every 7 hours apart while you are awake assuming you wake up at 7am and go to bed at 10pm. If you wake up or go to bed at different times then you will need to adjust the time interval between doses but the instruction “3 times a day” has enough leeway in its dosing regimen that taking the medication an hour or two earlier or later will not affect the medication’s effectiveness.
If a doctor has intended you to take the medicine at strict intervals then they will usually say “every 8 hours” sometimes with exact instructions, such as 7 am / 3 pm / 11 pm.
Taking a medicine 4 times a day is not so easy for a person at home to do, and fortunately, there aren’t many drugs that need precise dosing 4 times a day.
If you are told to take a medicine 4 times a day, then that usually means to take it at close to even intervals while you are awake. It does not mean you have to get up in the middle of the night to take your medicine, unless your doctor or pharmacist has specifically said to.
For example, if you have been told to take your medicine 4 times a day and you usually wake up at 7am and go to bed at 10pm then an appropriate way to take the medicine would be:
•7 am (when you wake up)
•12 noon (midday)
•4 pm (late afternoon)
A medicine written 4 times daily should roughly be taken 4 or 5 hours apart while you are awake assuming you wake up at 7 am and go to bed at 10 pm, for example:
•7 am (when you wake up)
•12 noon (midday)
•4 pm (late afternoon)
•9 pm (just before you go to bed).
If you wake up or go to bed at different times then you will need to adjust the time interval between doses but the instruction “4 times a day” has enough leeway in its dosing regimen that taking the medication an hour or two earlier or later will not affect the medication’s effectiveness.
Explore popular shortcuts to use Every 8 Hours abbreviation and the short forms with our easy guide. Review the list of 4 top ways to abbreviate Every 8 Hours. Updated in 2020 to ensure the latest compliance and practices.
May 22, 2024 · q8h: Every 8 hours (Latin: quaque 8 hora). Indicates medication should be taken every eight hours. q12h: Every 12 hours (Latin: quaque 12 hora). Indicates medication should be taken every twelve hours. ud, ut dict, UD: As directed (Latin: ut dictum). Indicates to take medicine according to the specific instructions provided by the healthcare ...
Apr 16, 2024 · The medical abbreviation QID means you should take medication four times a day. The abbreviation Q6H means to take medication every six hours. Learn how these two differ.
