amp(s)

cap(s)

cr

el or elix

ampule(s)

capsule(s)

cream 

elixir 

expect

Fl 

Liq

Lot

expectorant 

fluid

liquid

lotion 

pulv

sol

supp

susp

powder

solution

suppository 

suspension 

Syr

tab(s) 

tinc

ung or oint

Syrup 

tablet(s) 

tincture 

ointment 

ad, as, au 

ien 

IM 

IV 

right, left, both ears 

in each nostril 

Intramuscular 

Intravenous 

IVPB

loc 

od, os, ou

po

Intravenous Piggy Back 

locally 

right, left, both eyes

orally or by mouth 

SC, subQ, SQ

SL 

top

UD or ut dict

Subcutaneous 

Sublingual 

topically 

as directed 

ac 

AM

ad lib

ASAP 

before food or meals 

morning 

as often as need, freely

as soon as possible 

atc

bid

‾c

h, hr, or o

around the clock 

twice a day 

with 

hourly, at the hour of

hs

noc

p¯ 

pc

at bedtime

night 

after

after food or meals

pc & hs 

PM 

prn 

after meals and at bedtime

in the afternoon or evening 

as needed