Sig Abbreviations
The "Sig" is the directions to follow by the provider to the patient for a given medication. Below are listed the most common abbreviations that are used in the Sig. "Sig" is an abbreviation for the Latin word "signetur," which means "let it be labeled."
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| Sig Code | Explanation |
|---|---|
| AAA | apply to affected area |
| ac | before meals |
| ad | right ear |
| am | morning, in the morning, before noon |
| amp | ampule or ampul |
| amp | ampicillin |
| APAP | acetaminophen |
| aq | aqueous (water) |
| as | left ear |
| au | each ear, both ears |
| AUD | apply as directed |
| bid or b.i.d. | twice a day |
| BOT | bottle |
| BP | blood pressure |
| c | with |
| C or c | 100 (roman numeral) |
| cap | capsule |
| cc | cubic centimeter (1 cc = 1 mL) |
| cf | with food |
| CF | cough formula or cold formula |
| cm | centimeter |
| CPM | chlorpheniramine |
| cr | cream |
| CR | controlled release |
| cre | cream |
| D or d | 500 (roman numeral) |
| D/C or d/c | discontinue |
| DA | delayed action |
| DAW | dispense as written |
| dc or d/c | discontinue |
| DC | diagnosis code |
| dil | dilute, dissolve |
| disp | dispense |
| dL | deciliter |
| DM | dextromethorphan |
| DR | delayed release |
| DS | double strength |
| DV | daily value |
| EC or e.c. | enteric coated |
| ECT | enteric-coated tablet |
| ER | extended release |
| fl | fluid |
| fl oz | fluid ounce |
| ft | foot, feet |
| g | gram |
| gal | gallon |
| GG | guaifenesin |
| GGPE | guaifenesin/phenylephrine |
| gm | gram |
| gr | grain |
| gtt | drop |
| h or hr | hour |
| H2O | water |
| HA | headache |
| HBP | high blood pressure |
| HC | hydrocodone or hydrocortisone |
| HCT | hydrochlorothiazide |
| HCTZ | hydrochlorothiazide |
| hs | at bedtime |
| ht | height |
| HT or HTN | hypertension |
| I or i | 1 (roman numeral) |
| IM | intramuscular |
| in | inch |
| inh | inhalation |
| INH | isoniazid |
| inj | injection |
| IR | immediate release |
| IT or ITCH | itching |
| IU or I.U. | international unit |
| IV | intravenous |
| K | Potassium |
| KCl or KCL | Potassium Chloride |
| kg | kilogram |
| L or l | liter |
| L or l | 50 (roman numeral) |
| LA | long-acting |
| lb | pound |
| liq | liquid |
| lot | lotion |
| m | meter |
| M or m | 1,000 (roman numeral) |
| m² | square meters or meters squared |
| mcg | microgram |
| mcL | microliter |
| MDI | metered dose inhaler |
| MDP | Medrol Dose Pack |
| mEq | milliequivalent |
| Mg or Mag | Magnesium |
| mg | milligram |
| mg/dL | milligrams (mg) of substance per deciliter (dL) of blood |
| mL | milliliter |
| mm Hg | millimeters of mercury (measure of blood pressure) |
| MTX | methotrexate |
| MVI | Multi-Vitamins or multiple vitamins |
| N/A or n/a | not available |
| N&V or N/V | nausea and vomiting |
| NA | nausea |
| Na | Sodium |
| NaCl | Sodium Chloride (salt) |
| NaHCO3 | sodium bicarbonate |
| NDC | national drug code |
| NEB or neb | nebulizer |
| No. or no. | number |
| Nos. or nos. | numbers |
| noct | night, at night |
| NPH | N insulin (an intermediate-acting insulin) |
| NPH | N insulin (Humulin N or Novolin N) |
| NPI | National Provider Identifier |
| npo | nothing by mouth |
| NR or N.R. | no refill |
| NRF | no refill |
| NS | nasal spray |
| NS | normal saline (0.9% sodium chloride) |
| NTG | nitroglycerin |
| NV | nausea and vomiting |
| od | right eye |
| ODT | orally disintegrating tablet |
| oint | ointment |
| OP or OPH | ophthalmic |
| OPHT or OPHTH | ophthalmic |
| os | left eye |
| OTC | over the counter |
| ou | each eye, both eyes |
| oz | ounce |
| PA | prior authorization |
| PB or Pb | phenobarbital |
| pc | after meals |
| PCN | penicillin |
| pct | percent or percentage |
| PD | pediatric drop |
| PED | pediatric |
| PEG | polyethylene glycol (a laxative) |
| per | by or through |
| pH | a measure of how acidic or basic a substance is |
| pkd | packaged |
| pkg | package |
| pkt | packet |
| pm | evening, in the evening, after noon |
| PMS | premenstrual syndrome |
| PNV | prenatal vitamins |
| po | by mouth |
| pp | postprandial (after eating) |
| PR | per rectum, by rectum |
| prn | as needed |
| PSE | pseudoephedrine |
| pt | pint |
| pt or pt. | patient |
| PTU | propylthiouracil |
| q | every, each |
| qam | every morning |
| qd | every day, each day, daily |
| qdam | every day in the morning |
| qd pm | every day in the evening |
| qh | every hour |
| q12h | every 12 hours |
| q2-3h | every two to three hours |
| q24h | every 24 hours |
| q2-4h | every two to four hours |
| q4h | every four hours |
| q4-6h | every four to six hours |
| q4° | every four hours |
| q6° | every six hours |
| qhs | every night at bedtime |
| qid or qid. | four times a day |
| qod | every other day |
| qpm | every evening |
| q 8pm | every day at 8 p.m. |
| qs or QS or Q.S. | quantity sufficient |
| qt | quart |
| QTY or qty | quantity |
| qw | every week, once a week |
| R | rectum, rectally |
| RA | rheumatoid arthritis |
| RF | refill |
| Rx | prescription |
| s | without |
| SA | sustained action |
| sc | subcutaneous, under the skin |
| sig | signa (directions for using a prescription) |
| SL or S.L. | sublingual, under the tongue |
| SMZ-TMP | sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim |
| SOB | shortness of breath |
| SOD or sod | sodium |
| sol or soln | solution |
| sq | subcutaneous, under the skin |
| SR | sustained release |
| ss | one half (½) (roman numeral) |
| stat | now; immediately |
| subq | subcutaneous, under the skin |
| sup or supp | suppository |
| susp | suspension |
| syr | syrup |
| SYR | syringe |
| tab | tablet |
| tac or TAC | triamcinolone |
| tud or TUD | take as directed |
| tat or TAT | until all taken |
| tbsp | tablespoonful |
| TCN | tetracycline |
| tiw or t.i.w. | three times a week |
| TMP | trimethoprim |
| top | topical |
| tr | timed-release |
| tsp | teaspoonful |
| tud or TUD | take as directed |
| U | units |
| uad or UAD | use as directed |
| uat or UAT | until all taken |
| ud | as directed |
| ut dict | as directed |
| ung | ointment |
| UTI | urinary tract infection |
| V or v | 5 (roman numeral) |
| vag | vaginally |
| w/ | with |
| w/o | without |
| WA | while awake |
| WH | wheezing |
| wk | week |
| wt | weight |
| WZ | wheezing |
| X or x | 10 (roman numeral) |
| X or x | times |
| x 1 RF | times one refill |
| X 3 RF | times three refills |
| XL | extra long |
| XR | extended release |
