The University of the West Indies

Faculty of Medical Sciences

The UWI School of Nursing, Mona

PHARMACOLOGY and THERAPEUTICS

Abbreviations used in pharmacology

before meals
a.c.

ad lib. use as much as one desires; freely

p.c. after meals

a.m. morning, before noon

amp ampule
amt amount

a.s. left ear

a.d. right ear

a.u. both ears

b.d./b.i.d. twice daily

cap., caps. c capsule

cc cubic centimetre)
comp. compound
cr., crm cream

D/C, discontinue
disp. dispersible or dispense
elix. elixir
emuls. emulsion

fl., fld. fluid

g gram
gr grain
gtt(s) drop(s)

h, hr hour
h.s. at bedtime
ID intradermal
IM intramuscular (with respect to injections)
inj. injection
IP intraperitoneal
IV intravenous

ung. ointment
T.P.N. total parenteral nutrition
t.i.d. three times a day
t.d.s. three times a day
stat immediately
q.d. every day
q.i.d. four times a day
every other day
q.d.s. four times a day

q.h. every hour

q.h.s. every night at bedtime
q.1h every 1 hour; (can replace "1" with other numbers)
q.d. every day
mane in the morning
o.d. right eye
o.s. left eye
o.u. both eyes
p.c. after meals
PRN, prn as needed
p.o. by mouth or orally
p.r. by rectum
PV via the vagina or per vagina

stat immediately
SC, SQ subcutaneous
tsp teaspoon
t.i.d. three times a day
t.d.s. three times a day

ung. ointment
1/7 one day (can replace 1 with other numbers)

2/12 two months ( can replace 2 with other numbers)

4/52 four weeks (can replace 4 with other numbers)

The University of the West Indies

Faculty of Medical Sciences
The UWI School of Nursing, Mona

PHARMACOLOGY and THERAPEUTICS

System of measurement

Kg – kilogram To convert from grams to kilograms divide by 1000

g – grams To convert from kilogram to grams multiply by 1000

mg – milligram

mcg – micrograms To convert from grams to milligram multiply by 1000

1 kg = 1000g To convert from milligram to grams divide by 1000

1gram – 1000mg

1mg = 1000mcg To convert from microgram to milligram divide by 1000

To convert from milligram to microgram multiply by 1000

L – litre

ml - milliliter / cc

1000ml / cubic centimeter = 1 litre

To convert from mlilitre to litre divide by 1000

1ml - 15 gt To convert from litre to mililitre multiply by 1000

5mls - 1teaspoon(tsp)

15mls - 1tablespoon(Tbsp)

30mls - 1 ounce(oz) To convert from kilograms to pounds multiply by 2.2

500mls - 1 pint To convert from pounds to kilogram divide by 2.2

1000mls - 1 quart

4000mls - 1 gallon

60mg - 1grain (gr)

30grams -1 ounce

500grams – 1.1pounds(lb)

1000g (1kg) – 2.2 lb