The following list shows the abbreviations that are not often encountered by pharnacists:
A, aa., or aa = of each
comp. = compound, compounded
a.c. = before meals
dil = dilute
ad = to, up to
D.C.,dc, or disc. = discontinue
a.d. = right ear
disp. = dispense
ad lib. At pleasure freely
div. = divide, to be divided
a.m. = morning
dl or dL = deciliter
amp. = ampoule
d.t.d. = give of such doses
ante = before
DW = distilled water
aq. = water
D5W = dextrose% in water
a.s. = left ear
elix = elixir
asa = aspirin
e.m.p. = as directed
a.u. = each ear, both ears
et = and
b.i.d. = twice daily
ex aq. = in water
BP = British pharmacopeia
fl or fld = fluid
BSA = body surface area
fl oz = fluid ounce
c.or c = with
ft = make
cap or caps = capsule
g or GM =gram
cp = chest pain
gal = gallon
D.A.W. described as written
GI = gastrointestinal
Cc or cc. cubic centimeter
gr or gr = grain
Gtt or gtt = drop, drops
Non rep. = do not repeat
H = hypodermic
NPO = nothing by mouth
h or hr. = hour
N.S., NS = normal saline
h.s. = at bed time
½ NS = half-strength normal saline
IM =intramuscular
O = pint
Inj. = injection
o.d. = right eye every day
IV = intervenous
o.I. or o.s. = left eye
IVP = intervenous push
OTC = over the counter
IVPB = intervenous piggyback
o.u. = each eye, both eye
K =POTASSIUM
oz. = ounce
I or L = litre
p.c. = after meals
Lb = pound
PDR = Physicians, Desk Reference
μ = Greek mu
p.o. = by mouth
M = mix
Ppt = precipitated
M2 or m2 = square meter
Pr = for rectum
Mcg, mcg or μg = microgram
Prn or p.r.n. = as needed
mEq = milliequivalent
Pt. = pint
mg = milligram
Pulv. = powder
ml or Ml = milliliter
Pv = vagenal use
μl or μL = microlitre
q. = every
N & V = nausea & vomiting
q.d. =every day
N.F. = National formulary
q.h. = every hour
Noct. = night, in the night
q.4 hr. = every 4 hours