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What Does PO Mean in Medical Terms?
PO stands for per os. By mouth, describing how a medicine is taken.
per os
By mouth, describing how a medicine is taken.
Where you will see PO
You will most often see PO in medication orders and prescriptions.
Example
A medication order might be written with “PO” as shorthand for per os.
Related abbreviations
- 3% saline — three percent saline (hypertonic)
- 5-FU — fluorouracil
- 6-MP — mercaptopurine
- 6-TG — thioguanine
- 7+3 — seven plus three induction
- a.c. — ante cibum (before meals)
- ABEMA — abemaciclib (chart shorthand)
- ABI — abiraterone (chart shorthand)
Browse the full Medical Abbreviations guide — 5,715 entries, searchable A–Z and by specialty.
Educational reference only. This guide is for learning and quick reference. Abbreviations vary between hospitals, countries and specialties, and some are discouraged because they can be misread. Always write and interpret orders using your own institution’s approved abbreviation list, and check anything unclear with the prescriber or your local policy.