Prescription & Medication Orders Abbreviations

This list collects 580 prescription & medication orders abbreviations — shorthand found in prescriptions, medication orders and pharmacy labels. Every entry shows the full form and a plain-English meaning. One abbreviation can appear in several specialty lists when it is genuinely used in more than one area, and abbreviations with more than one common meaning get a row for each meaning. Terms flagged ⚠ Error-prone are on recognised error-prone lists: write them out in full wherever possible.

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AbbreviationFull formWhat it meansUsed in
3% salinethree percent saline (hypertonic)Concentrated sodium infusionEmergency & Critical Care Prescription & Medication Orders Neurology
5-FUfluorouracilChemotherapy drug used in gut and other cancersPrescription & Medication Orders Hematology & Oncology
6-MPmercaptopurineLeukemia and immune disease drugPrescription & Medication Orders Hematology & Oncology
6-TGthioguanineLeukemia chemotherapy drugPrescription & Medication Orders Hematology & Oncology
7+3seven plus three inductionClassic AML induction: seven days of cytarabine plus three of anthracyclineHematology & Oncology Prescription & Medication Orders
a.c.ante cibum (before meals)Latin charting for before mealsPrescription & Medication Orders Nursing
ABEMAabemaciclib (chart shorthand)CDK4/6 blocker shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Hematology & Oncology
ABIabiraterone (chart shorthand)Prostate cancer hormone pill shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Hematology & Oncology
ABVDdoxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine, dacarbazineCombination chemotherapy regimen for Hodgkin lymphoma, from drug initialsHematology & Oncology Prescription & Medication Orders
ABxantibioticsMedicines treating bacterial infectionsPrescription & Medication Orders Infectious Disease
ACbefore mealsBefore eating, from Latin ante cibumPrescription & Medication Orders
ACdoxorubicin cyclophosphamideBreast cancer chemotherapy combinationHematology & Oncology Prescription & Medication Orders
ACALAacalabrutinib (chart shorthand)BTK blocker pill shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Hematology & Oncology
ACEIangiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitorBlood pressure medicine blocking an enzyme that tightens vesselsPrescription & Medication Orders Cardiology Renal & Nephrology
ACSantenatal corticosteroids (course)Steroid course maturing fetal lungs — courseObstetrics & Gynecology Prescription & Medication Orders Pediatrics
ACVacyclovir (chart shorthand)Herpes antiviral chart shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Infectious Disease
ADCantibody-drug conjugateAntibody carrying a chemotherapy payload to cancer cellsPrescription & Medication Orders Hematology & Oncology
ADCautomated dispensing cabinetSecure electronic cabinet storing medicines on wardsNursing Prescription & Medication Orders
AdenoadenosineMedicine briefly slowing the heart's electrical conductionPrescription & Medication Orders Cardiology Emergency & Critical Care
ADRadverse drug reactionHarmful or unwanted effect of a medicineGeneral Medical Prescription & Medication Orders
ADTandrogen deprivation therapy (drug)Hormone therapy lowering testosterone in prostate cancerPrescription & Medication Orders Hematology & Oncology
AEadverse eventUnfavourable medical occurrence during treatmentGeneral Medical Prescription & Medication Orders
AEDantiepileptic drugMedicine class used to prevent seizuresNeurology Prescription & Medication Orders
AFGanidulafungin (chart shorthand)Echinocandin antifungal chart shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Infectious Disease
AIaromatase inhibitor (drug class)Estrogen-lowering pill class for breast cancerPrescription & Medication Orders Hematology & Oncology Endocrinology
akathisiaakathisia (side-effect)Inner restlessness from medicines — side-effectPsychiatry Prescription & Medication Orders
ALECalectinib (chart shorthand)ALK blocker pill shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Hematology & Oncology
AmBamphotericin B (chart shorthand)Broad antifungal chart shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Infectious Disease
aminophyllineaminophylline (asthma)Older infusion bronchodilator — asthmaPediatrics Respiratory Prescription & Medication Orders
AmioamiodaroneMedicine controlling abnormal heart rhythmsPrescription & Medication Orders Cardiology
AMKamikacin (chart shorthand)Aminoglycoside antibiotic chart shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Infectious Disease
AmpampuleSmall sealed glass container of injectable medicinePrescription & Medication Orders
ANAanastrozole (chart shorthand)Aromatase inhibitor shorthand — note ANA also means antinuclear antibodyPrescription & Medication Orders Hematology & Oncology
anti-VEGFanti-vascular endothelial growth factorInjected eye drug class blocking abnormal blood vesselsPrescription & Medication Orders General Medical
APAapalutamide (chart shorthand)Prostate cancer hormone pill shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Hematology & Oncology
APAPacetaminophenParacetamol, a pain and fever medicinePrescription & Medication Orders
aPCCactivated prothrombin complex concentrateBypassing agent for hemophilia with inhibitorsHematology & Oncology Prescription & Medication Orders
Ara-CcytarabineCore leukemia chemotherapy drugPrescription & Medication Orders Hematology & Oncology
ARPIandrogen receptor pathway inhibitorProstate cancer hormone pill classPrescription & Medication Orders Hematology & Oncology
ARTantiretroviral therapyCombination medicines suppressing HIVPrescription & Medication Orders Infectious Disease
ATEZOatezolizumab (chart shorthand)PD-L1 immune checkpoint drug shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Hematology & Oncology
ATGantithymocyte globulin (induction)T-cell depleting induction drugRenal & Nephrology Prescription & Medication Orders Surgery Infectious Disease
ATOarsenic trioxideLeukemia drug used with ATRAPrescription & Medication Orders Hematology & Oncology
ATRAall-trans retinoic acidDifferentiation drug for a type of acute leukemiaPrescription & Medication Orders Hematology & Oncology
atropine penalizationatropine penalization (amblyopia)Drops blurring the stronger eyePediatrics Prescription & Medication Orders
Augmentinco-amoxiclavCombination penicillin antibiotic, brand name AugmentinPrescription & Medication Orders Infectious Disease
Auvi-QAuvi-Q (talking auto-injector brand)Voice-guided adrenaline injector brandPediatrics Prescription & Medication Orders
AZAazathioprineImmune-suppressing medicine used in several conditionsPrescription & Medication Orders
AZMazithromycin (chart shorthand)Macrolide antibiotic chart shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Infectious Disease
baclofen pumpintrathecal baclofen (pump)Spinal pump relaxing severe stiffnessNeurology Pediatrics Prescription & Medication Orders
BBbeta blockerMedicine slowing the heart and lowering blood pressurePrescription & Medication Orders Cardiology
BCL-2iBCL-2 inhibitorLeukemia pill class promoting cancer cell deathPrescription & Medication Orders Hematology & Oncology
BCMAbarcode medication administrationScanning medicines and wristbands before giving dosesNursing Prescription & Medication Orders
BCNUcarmustine (chart shorthand)Nitrosourea chemotherapy shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Hematology & Oncology
bDMARDbiologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugTargeted immune medicine slowing arthritis damagePrescription & Medication Orders Musculoskeletal
BEACOPPbleomycin etoposide doxorubicin cyclophosphamide vincristine procarbazine prednisoneIntensive Hodgkin lymphoma chemotherapy combinationHematology & Oncology Prescription & Medication Orders
BENDbendamustine (chart shorthand)Lymphoma chemotherapy shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Hematology & Oncology
BenzobenzodiazepineSedative medicine class used for anxiety and seizuresPrescription & Medication Orders Psychiatry
BEPbleomycin etoposide cisplatinTesticular cancer chemotherapy combinationHematology & Oncology Prescription & Medication Orders
BEVbevacizumab (chart shorthand)Blood-vessel growth blocking antibody shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Hematology & Oncology
BICbicalutamide (chart shorthand)Prostate hormone pill shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Hematology & Oncology
BIDbis in dieTwice a dayPrescription & Medication Orders Nursing
bidtwice a day (lowercase form)Frequency in lowercase chartingPrescription & Medication Orders Nursing
BiTEbispecific T-cell engagerAntibody linking T cells to cancer cellsHematology & Oncology Prescription & Medication Orders
BIWtwice a weekTwo times weeklyPrescription & Medication Orders
bladder Botoxintravesical botulinum toxin injectionBladder muscle injections for overactivitySurgery Renal & Nephrology Prescription & Medication Orders
BLEObleomycin (chart shorthand)Chemotherapy drug with lung toxicity shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Hematology & Oncology
BMZbetamethasone (charting shorthand)Steroid shorthand in obstetric chartingObstetrics & Gynecology Prescription & Medication Orders
BoNTbotulinum neurotoxin (spasticity)Stiffness-relaxing injections — spasticityNeurology Prescription & Medication Orders Musculoskeletal
BRbendamustine rituximabLymphoma treatment combination shorthandHematology & Oncology Prescription & Medication Orders
BTKiBruton tyrosine kinase inhibitorB-cell cancer pill classPrescription & Medication Orders Hematology & Oncology
BTZbortezomib (chart shorthand)Proteasome inhibitor for myeloma shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Hematology & Oncology
BUSbusulfan (chart shorthand)Conditioning chemotherapy shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Hematology & Oncology
BZDbenzodiazepineSedative medicine class used for anxiety and seizuresPsychiatry Prescription & Medication Orders
caffeine citratecaffeine citrate (apnea)Stimulant preventing preterm apneaPediatrics Respiratory Prescription & Medication Orders
CapcapsuleGel shell containing medicine, taken by mouthPrescription & Medication Orders
CAPEcapecitabine (chart shorthand)Oral chemotherapy shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Hematology & Oncology
CAPOXcapecitabine oxaliplatinColon cancer combination, also called XELOXHematology & Oncology Prescription & Medication Orders Gastroenterology
CAR-Tchimeric antigen receptor T-cellEngineered immune cell therapy for blood cancersHematology & Oncology Prescription & Medication Orders
CAScaspofungin (chart shorthand)Echinocandin antifungal chart shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Infectious Disease
CAZceftazidime (chart shorthand)Third-generation cephalosporin chart shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Infectious Disease
CBDCAcarboplatin (chart shorthand)Platinum chemotherapy shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Hematology & Oncology
CBZ levelcarbamazepine level (monitoring)Blood level check for carbamazepineNeurology Laboratory Prescription & Medication Orders
CCNUlomustine (chart shorthand)Nitrosourea chemotherapy shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Hematology & Oncology
CDDPcisplatin (chart shorthand)Platinum chemotherapy shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Hematology & Oncology
CDK4/6iCDK4/6 inhibitorBreast cancer pill class slowing cell divisionPrescription & Medication Orders Hematology & Oncology
CDVcidofovir (chart shorthand)Broad antiviral chart shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Infectious Disease
CECcefaclor (chart shorthand)Oral second-generation cephalosporin shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Infectious Disease
CeftriaxceftriaxoneCephalosporin antibiotic medicinePrescription & Medication Orders Infectious Disease
CETUXcetuximab (chart shorthand)EGFR antibody shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Hematology & Oncology
CFMcefixime (chart shorthand)Oral third-generation cephalosporin shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Infectious Disease
CFTR modulatorCFTR modulator therapyChannel-correcting cystic fibrosis drugsPediatrics Respiratory Prescription & Medication Orders
CFZcarfilzomib (chart shorthand)Proteasome inhibitor for myeloma shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Hematology & Oncology
chelationchelation therapy (lead)Lead-removing treatment — leadPediatrics Prescription & Medication Orders Emergency & Critical Care
CHOPcyclophosphamide doxorubicin vincristine prednisoneCommon lymphoma chemotherapy combinationHematology & Oncology Prescription & Medication Orders
CIPciprofloxacin (chart shorthand)Fluoroquinolone antibiotic chart shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Infectious Disease
CiprociprofloxacinFluoroquinolone antibiotic medicinePrescription & Medication Orders Infectious Disease
citrate anticoagregional citrate anticoagulation (CRRT)Calcium-binding filter anticoagulation for CRRTRenal & Nephrology Emergency & Critical Care Prescription & Medication Orders
CLADcladribine (chart shorthand)Hairy cell leukemia drug shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Hematology & Oncology
CLAG-Mcladribine cytarabine G-CSF mitoxantroneSalvage leukemia chemotherapy combinationHematology & Oncology Prescription & Medication Orders
CLIclindamycin (chart shorthand)Lincosamide antibiotic chart shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Infectious Disease
clozapine REMSclozapine REMS (monitoring program)Mandatory blood monitoring program for clozapinePsychiatry Prescription & Medication Orders
CLRclarithromycin (chart shorthand)Macrolide antibiotic chart shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Infectious Disease
CMFcyclophosphamide methotrexate fluorouracilOlder breast cancer chemotherapy combinationHematology & Oncology Prescription & Medication Orders
CNIcalcineurin inhibitor (class)Main anti-rejection drug class — classRenal & Nephrology Prescription & Medication Orders Surgery
COCcombined oral contraceptiveBirth control pill containing estrogen and progestinObstetrics & Gynecology Prescription & Medication Orders
COCPcombined oral contraceptive pillBirth control pill containing oestrogen and progestogenPrescription & Medication Orders Obstetrics & Gynecology
controllercontroller therapy (asthma maintenance)Daily preventive asthma treatmentPediatrics Respiratory Prescription & Medication Orders
CPTceftaroline (chart shorthand)Anti-MRSA cephalosporin chart shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Infectious Disease
CRIZcrizotinib (chart shorthand)ALK blocker pill shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Hematology & Oncology
CROceftriaxone (chart shorthand)Third-generation cephalosporin chart shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Infectious Disease
CSAcyclosporine (transplant shorthand)Immune-suppressing drug after transplantPrescription & Medication Orders Hematology & Oncology Renal & Nephrology
CSA levelcyclosporine level (monitoring)Anti-rejection drug level checkRenal & Nephrology Laboratory Prescription & Medication Orders
csDMARDconventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugTraditional medicine slowing arthritis damagePrescription & Medication Orders Musculoskeletal
CTXcefotaxime (chart shorthand)Third-generation cephalosporin chart shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Infectious Disease
CTXcyclophosphamide (chart shorthand)Alkylating chemotherapy and immune drug shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Hematology & Oncology
CurosurfCurosurf (poractant brand)Pig-derived surfactant brandPediatrics Prescription & Medication Orders
CVPcyclophosphamide vincristine prednisoneLymphoma chemotherapy combinationHematology & Oncology Prescription & Medication Orders
CYcyclophosphamide (conditioning shorthand)Transplant conditioning shorthand in regimen namesHematology & Oncology Prescription & Medication Orders
cyanidecyanide toxicity (smoke)Cell poison in fire smoke — toxicologyEmergency & Critical Care Prescription & Medication Orders
CyBorDcyclophosphamide bortezomib dexamethasoneMyeloma and amyloidosis combinationHematology & Oncology Prescription & Medication Orders
CYCcyclophosphamideImmune-suppressing and chemotherapy medicinePrescription & Medication Orders Hematology & Oncology
CYPcytochrome P450Liver enzyme family breaking down many medicinesLaboratory Prescription & Medication Orders
D/CdiscontinueTo stop a treatment, medicine or orderGeneral Medical Prescription & Medication Orders
D5NSdextrose 5% in normal salineIntravenous fluid with sugar and salt waterPrescription & Medication Orders Nursing
D5Wdextrose 5% in waterIntravenous fluid containing five percent sugarPrescription & Medication Orders Nursing
DAAdirect-acting antiviralHepatitis C cure drug classInfectious Disease Prescription & Medication Orders Gastroenterology
DAPdaptomycin (chart shorthand)Lipopeptide antibiotic chart shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Infectious Disease
DARAdaratumumab (chart shorthand)CD38 antibody for myeloma shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Hematology & Oncology
DAROdarolutamide (chart shorthand)Prostate cancer hormone pill shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Hematology & Oncology
DASAdasatinib (chart shorthand)Leukemia kinase blocker shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Hematology & Oncology
DAWdispense as writtenInstruction to supply the exact product prescribedPrescription & Medication Orders
DDAVPdesmopressinMedicine copying the water-conserving hormonePrescription & Medication Orders Endocrinology Renal & Nephrology
delayed prescriptiondelayed antibiotic prescription (strategy)Wait-and-see antibiotic approachPediatrics Infectious Disease Prescription & Medication Orders
DepoDepo-Provera (injection)Three-month contraceptive injection — chartingObstetrics & Gynecology Prescription & Medication Orders
depotdepot injection (antipsychotic)Long-acting antipsychotic injectionPsychiatry Prescription & Medication Orders
desensitizationdesensitization (transplant protocol)Antibody-lowering treatment before transplantRenal & Nephrology Surgery Prescription & Medication Orders
DEXdexamethasone (antenatal)Alternative steroid for fetal lung maturityObstetrics & Gynecology Prescription & Medication Orders
DHAPdexamethasone high-dose cytarabine cisplatinSalvage lymphoma chemotherapy combinationHematology & Oncology Prescription & Medication Orders
DigdigoxinHeart medicine from the foxglove plantPrescription & Medication Orders Cardiology
DILIdrug-induced liver injuryLiver damage caused by a medicineGastroenterology Prescription & Medication Orders
discontinuation syndromeantidepressant discontinuation syndromeWithdrawal-like symptoms stopping antidepressants suddenlyPsychiatry Prescription & Medication Orders
DMARDdisease-modifying antirheumatic drugMedicine slowing inflammatory arthritis damagePrescription & Medication Orders Musculoskeletal
DMTs classdisease-modifying therapies (class)Course-changing drug class — classNeurology Prescription & Medication Orders
DNRdaunorubicin (chart shorthand)Anthracycline leukemia drug shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Hematology & Oncology
DobutdobutamineMedicine strengthening heart contractionsPrescription & Medication Orders Emergency & Critical Care Cardiology
DORdoripenem (chart shorthand)Carbapenem antibiotic chart shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Infectious Disease
DOXdoxorubicin (chart shorthand)Anthracycline chemotherapy shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Hematology & Oncology
DOXdoxycycline (chart shorthand)Tetracycline antibiotic chart shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Infectious Disease
DoxydoxycyclineTetracycline antibiotic medicinePrescription & Medication Orders Infectious Disease
DPIdry powder inhalerInhaler delivering medicine as a dry powderRespiratory Prescription & Medication Orders
DPP-4idipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitorDiabetes medicine class prolonging gut hormone actionPrescription & Medication Orders Endocrinology
DRddaratumumab lenalidomide dexamethasoneMyeloma treatment combinationHematology & Oncology Prescription & Medication Orders
DTaPDTaP (childhood formulation)Childhood diphtheria tetanus pertussis vaccinePediatrics Infectious Disease Prescription & Medication Orders
DTICdacarbazine (chart shorthand)Melanoma and lymphoma chemotherapy shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Hematology & Oncology
DTXdocetaxel (chart shorthand)Taxane chemotherapy shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Hematology & Oncology
DURVAdurvalumab (chart shorthand)PD-L1 immune checkpoint drug shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Hematology & Oncology
dystoniaacute dystonia (reaction)Sudden muscle spasm drug reactionPsychiatry Emergency & Critical Care Prescription & Medication Orders
EACAepsilon-aminocaproic acidOlder clot-stabilizing drugPrescription & Medication Orders Hematology & Oncology
ECemergency contraception (method)Post-intercourse pregnancy prevention — methodObstetrics & Gynecology Prescription & Medication Orders
ECepirubicin cyclophosphamideBreast cancer chemotherapy combinationHematology & Oncology Prescription & Medication Orders
ElixelixirClear sweetened liquid form of medicinePrescription & Medication Orders
eMARelectronic medication administration recordDigital chart recording medicines givenNursing Prescription & Medication Orders
EMBethambutol (chart shorthand)Core tuberculosis drug shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Infectious Disease
EMLAeutectic mixture of local anesthetics (cream)Numbing cream — formulationPediatrics Prescription & Medication Orders Nursing
ENZAenzalutamide (chart shorthand)Prostate cancer hormone pill shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Hematology & Oncology
EPetoposide cisplatinLung and testicular cancer combination shorthandHematology & Oncology Prescription & Medication Orders
EpiepinephrineAdrenaline, an emergency hormone and medicinePrescription & Medication Orders Emergency & Critical Care
epiepinephrine auto-injector (use)Allergy emergency pen — usePediatrics Emergency & Critical Care Prescription & Medication Orders
EPIepirubicin (chart shorthand)Anthracycline chemotherapy shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Hematology & Oncology
EpiPenEpiPen (brand)Adrenaline auto-injector brandPediatrics Emergency & Critical Care Prescription & Medication Orders
ERextended releaseMedicine released slowly over timePrescription & Medication Orders
ERLOerlotinib (chart shorthand)EGFR blocker pill shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Hematology & Oncology
ERYerythromycin (chart shorthand)Macrolide antibiotic chart shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Infectious Disease
ESAerythropoiesis-stimulating agentMedicine boosting red blood cell productionPrescription & Medication Orders Hematology & Oncology Renal & Nephrology
ESHAPetoposide methylprednisolone cytarabine cisplatinSalvage lymphoma chemotherapy combinationHematology & Oncology Prescription & Medication Orders
esketamineesketamine (Spravato class)Nasal ketamine-derived antidepressantPsychiatry Prescription & Medication Orders
ETOPetoposide (chart shorthand)Topoisomerase chemotherapy shorthand, also VP-16Prescription & Medication Orders Hematology & Oncology
ETPertapenem (chart shorthand)Once-daily carbapenem chart shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Infectious Disease
euglycemic DKAeuglycemic DKA (variant)Ketoacidosis with near-normal sugar, linked to SGLT2 drugsEmergency & Critical Care Endocrinology Prescription & Medication Orders
EVReverolimus (transplant shorthand)Immune-suppressing transplant drugPrescription & Medication Orders Renal & Nephrology
EXEexemestane (chart shorthand)Aromatase inhibitor shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Hematology & Oncology
FCfibrinogen concentratePurified fibrinogen for bleedingHematology & Oncology Prescription & Medication Orders Emergency & Critical Care
FCRfludarabine cyclophosphamide rituximabCLL chemotherapy-antibody combinationHematology & Oncology Prescription & Medication Orders
FDAFood and Drug AdministrationUnited States agency regulating medicines and foodGeneral Medical Prescription & Medication Orders
FECfluorouracil epirubicin cyclophosphamideBreast cancer chemotherapy combinationHematology & Oncology Prescription & Medication Orders
FEPcefepimeCephalosporin antibiotic medicinePrescription & Medication Orders Infectious Disease
FGAfirst-generation antipsychoticOlder class of antipsychotic medicinePrescription & Medication Orders Psychiatry
FGA antipsychoticfirst-generation antipsychotic (typical)Older dopamine-blocking antipsychotic classPsychiatry Prescription & Medication Orders
five rightsfive rights of medication administrationRight patient, drug, dose, route and time checksNursing Prescription & Medication Orders
FLAGfludarabine cytarabine G-CSFSalvage leukemia chemotherapy combinationHematology & Oncology Prescription & Medication Orders
FLAG-IDAFLAG plus idarubicinIntensive salvage leukemia combinationHematology & Oncology Prescription & Medication Orders
FLUfluconazole (chart shorthand)Azole antifungal chart shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Infectious Disease
FOLFIRIfolinic acid, fluorouracil, irinotecanCombination chemotherapy regimen for bowel cancerHematology & Oncology Prescription & Medication Orders
FOLFIRINOXfolinic acid fluorouracil irinotecan oxaliplatinIntensive pancreatic cancer chemotherapy combinationHematology & Oncology Prescription & Medication Orders Gastroenterology
FOLFOXfolinic acid, fluorouracil, oxaliplatinCombination chemotherapy regimen for bowel cancerHematology & Oncology Prescription & Medication Orders
FOLFOXIRIfolinic acid fluorouracil oxaliplatin irinotecanIntensive three-drug colon cancer combinationHematology & Oncology Prescription & Medication Orders Gastroenterology
FOSfoscarnet (chart shorthand)Second-line CMV antiviral shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Infectious Disease
FOSfosfomycin (chart shorthand)Single-dose urinary antibiotic shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Infectious Disease
FULVfulvestrant (chart shorthand)Injectable estrogen blocker shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Hematology & Oncology
ggramUnit of weight in the metric systemPrescription & Medication Orders Laboratory
GCgemcitabine cisplatinBladder and lung cancer combination shorthandHematology & Oncology Prescription & Medication Orders
GCglucocorticoidSteroid hormone medicine reducing inflammationPrescription & Medication Orders
GCVganciclovir (chart shorthand)CMV antiviral chart shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Infectious Disease
GDPgemcitabine dexamethasone cisplatinSalvage lymphoma chemotherapy combinationHematology & Oncology Prescription & Medication Orders
GEFgefitinib (chart shorthand)EGFR blocker pill shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Hematology & Oncology
GEMgemcitabine (chart shorthand)Pancreatic and lung cancer chemotherapy shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Hematology & Oncology
GENgentamicin (chart shorthand)Aminoglycoside antibiotic chart shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Infectious Disease
GLP-1 RAglucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonistDiabetes medicine class mimicking a gut hormonePrescription & Medication Orders Endocrinology
glucose geldextrose gel (neonatal hypoglycemia)Buccal sugar gel treating newborn low sugarPediatrics Endocrinology Prescription & Medication Orders
GM-CSFgranulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factorGrowth factor boosting white cell productionHematology & Oncology Prescription & Medication Orders
GnRH analogGnRH analog (puberty blocker)Medicine pausing pubertyPediatrics Endocrinology Prescription & Medication Orders
GTNglyceryl trinitrateNitrate medicine relaxing blood vessels, used for chest painPrescription & Medication Orders Cardiology
gttdropsDrops, from Latin guttae, describing liquid quantityPrescription & Medication Orders
h.s.hora somni (at bedtime)Latin for at bedtime — an error-prone abbreviationPrescription & Medication Orders Nursing
H2RAhistamine-2 receptor antagonistMedicine reducing stomach acidPrescription & Medication Orders Gastroenterology
HAARThighly active antiretroviral therapyCombination medicines suppressing HIVPrescription & Medication Orders Infectious Disease
HCQhydroxychloroquineMedicine used for malaria and autoimmune conditionsPrescription & Medication Orders Musculoskeletal
HCTZhydrochlorothiazideWater tablet medicine increasing urine productionPrescription & Medication Orders Cardiology Renal & Nephrology
HiDAChigh-dose cytarabineIntensive cytarabine treatment for leukemiaPrescription & Medication Orders Hematology & Oncology
high-alert medhigh-alert medicationDrug with heightened harm risk if misusedNursing Prescription & Medication Orders
hold medhold medication (order)Instruction to temporarily not give a drugPrescription & Medication Orders Nursing
home medshome medications (list)Medicines the patient takes at homePrescription & Medication Orders Nursing
HRThormone replacement therapyHormones replacing those lost at menopausePrescription & Medication Orders Obstetrics & Gynecology Endocrinology
HRZEisoniazid rifampicin pyrazinamide ethambutolWHO-style shorthand for the four-drug TB regimenInfectious Disease Prescription & Medication Orders
HS ⚠ Error-proneat bedtimeAt the hour of sleep, from Latin hora somniPrescription & Medication Orders
Hyper-CVADhyperfractionated cyclophosphamide vincristine doxorubicin dexamethasoneIntensive ALL and lymphoma regimenHematology & Oncology Prescription & Medication Orders
hypertonic salinehypertonic saline (treatment)Concentrated salt for brain swelling or very low sodium — treatmentEmergency & Critical Care Neurology Prescription & Medication Orders
I-131iodine-131Radioactive iodine treating thyroid disease and cancerEndocrinology Radiology & Imaging Prescription & Medication Orders
IBRUibrutinib (chart shorthand)BTK blocker pill shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Hematology & Oncology
ICEifosfamide carboplatin etoposideSalvage lymphoma chemotherapy combinationHematology & Oncology Prescription & Medication Orders
ICIimmune checkpoint inhibitorImmunotherapy class releasing brakes on immune cellsPrescription & Medication Orders Hematology & Oncology
icodextrinicodextrin (PD fluid)Long-dwell glucose-polymer PD fluidRenal & Nephrology Prescription & Medication Orders
ICSinhaled corticosteroid (maintenance)Daily inhaled steroid — maintenancePediatrics Respiratory Prescription & Medication Orders
IDAidarubicin (chart shorthand)Anthracycline leukemia drug shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Hematology & Oncology
IDermintradermalInto the skin, describing an injection routePrescription & Medication Orders Nursing
IEifosfamide etoposideSarcoma chemotherapy combination shorthandHematology & Oncology Prescription & Medication Orders
IFOifosfamide (chart shorthand)Alkylating chemotherapy shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Hematology & Oncology
IMintramuscularInto a muscle, describing an injection routePrescription & Medication Orders Nursing
IMATimatinib (chart shorthand)BCR-ABL blocker pill that transformed CML carePrescription & Medication Orders Hematology & Oncology
induction txinduction therapy (transplant)Strong early anti-rejection treatmentRenal & Nephrology Prescription & Medication Orders Surgery
InfasurfInfasurf (calfactant brand)Calf-derived surfactant brandPediatrics Prescription & Medication Orders
InhinhalationBreathed in, describing a medicine routePrescription & Medication Orders Respiratory
INHisoniazidAntibiotic medicine used against tuberculosisPrescription & Medication Orders Infectious Disease
inhaled epiinhaled epoprostenol (iEPO)Inhaled lung vessel dilator used in place of nitric oxideRespiratory Emergency & Critical Care Prescription & Medication Orders
INNinternational nonproprietary nameGlobally standard name of a medicine substancePrescription & Medication Orders
iNOinhaled nitric oxide (neonatal)Lung vessel relaxing gas — neonatalPediatrics Respiratory Emergency & Critical Care Prescription & Medication Orders
iNO adultinhaled nitric oxide (adult ARDS)Lung vessel relaxing gas — adult lung failureRespiratory Emergency & Critical Care Prescription & Medication Orders
INSTIintegrase strand transfer inhibitorHIV drug class blocking viral integrationInfectious Disease Prescription & Medication Orders
insulin dripinsulin infusion (DKA protocol)Continuous insulin in ketoacidosis care — protocolEmergency & Critical Care Endocrinology Prescription & Medication Orders Nursing
IOintraosseousInto bone marrow, an emergency access routeEmergency & Critical Care Prescription & Medication Orders
IPIipilimumab (chart shorthand)CTLA-4 immune checkpoint drug shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Hematology & Oncology
IPMimipenem (chart shorthand)Carbapenem antibiotic chart shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Infectious Disease
IRimmediate releaseMedicine released quickly after takingPrescription & Medication Orders
IRINOirinotecan (chart shorthand)Colon cancer chemotherapy shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Hematology & Oncology Gastroenterology
ISAisavuconazole (chart shorthand)Azole antifungal chart shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Infectious Disease
ISDNisosorbide dinitrateNitrate medicine for chest pain and heart failurePrescription & Medication Orders Cardiology
ISMNisosorbide mononitrateLong-acting nitrate medicine for chest painPrescription & Medication Orders Cardiology
ISMPInstitute for Safe Medication PracticesOrganization publishing medication safety listsPrescription & Medication Orders Nursing General Medical
ITintrathecalInto the spinal canal, describing a medicine routePrescription & Medication Orders Neurology
ITCitraconazole (chart shorthand)Azole antifungal chart shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Infectious Disease
IU ⚠ Error-proneinternational unitStandard measure of substance activity, error-prone in writingPrescription & Medication Orders Laboratory
IVintravenousInto a vein, describing a fluid or medicine routePrescription & Medication Orders Nursing
IV ketamineintravenous ketamine (depression treatment)Infusion treatment for resistant depressionPsychiatry Prescription & Medication Orders
IVIintravitreal injectionInjection of medicine into the eyeGeneral Medical Prescription & Medication Orders
IVIGintravenous immune globulin (treatment)Antibody infusion treatment — treatmentPediatrics Prescription & Medication Orders Neurology Infectious Disease
IVIG jaundiceIVIG (hemolytic jaundice)Antibody treatment reducing exchange needPediatrics Hematology & Oncology Prescription & Medication Orders
IVIG transplantIVIG (desensitization)Antibody treatment in transplant preparationRenal & Nephrology Prescription & Medication Orders Surgery
IVP orderintravenous push (order)Medication given directly into the vein — orderNursing Prescription & Medication Orders
IVPBintravenous piggyback (order)Medication infused through the main IV line — orderNursing Prescription & Medication Orders
IVTintravenous thrombolysis (stroke)Clot-dissolving stroke treatment — treatmentNeurology Emergency & Critical Care Prescription & Medication Orders
IXAixazomib (chart shorthand)Oral proteasome inhibitor shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Hematology & Oncology
JCV indexJC virus antibody indexPML risk measure on natalizumabNeurology Laboratory Prescription & Medication Orders
ketamine asthmaketamine (bronchodilator adjunct)Sedative with bronchodilating effectPediatrics Respiratory Emergency & Critical Care Prescription & Medication Orders
ketamine RSIketamine (intubation)Dissociative sedative for tube placementEmergency & Critical Care Prescription & Medication Orders
kgkilogramUnit of weight equal to one thousand gramsPrescription & Medication Orders General Medical
KRdcarfilzomib lenalidomide dexamethasoneMyeloma treatment combinationHematology & Oncology Prescription & Medication Orders
KVOkeep vein openSlow drip rate to keep an intravenous line openNursing Prescription & Medication Orders
L-AmBliposomal amphotericin BLipid form of amphotericin B gentler on kidneysPrescription & Medication Orders Infectious Disease
LAlong-actingMedicine whose effect lasts a long timePrescription & Medication Orders
LABAlong-acting beta-agonist (maintenance)Long bronchodilator — maintenancePediatrics Respiratory Prescription & Medication Orders
LAIlong-acting injectableMedicine given by injection that works over weeksPsychiatry Prescription & Medication Orders
LAI antipsychoticlong-acting injectable antipsychoticMonthly schizophrenia maintenance injectionPsychiatry Prescription & Medication Orders
LARClong-acting reversible contraceptionImplants and womb devices lasting yearsObstetrics & Gynecology Prescription & Medication Orders
LASAlook-alike sound-alikeMedications easily confused by name or appearanceNursing Prescription & Medication Orders
LASTlocal anesthetic systemic toxicityOverdose reaction to numbing medicinesEmergency & Critical Care Surgery Prescription & Medication Orders
LEFleflunomideImmune-suppressing medicine for inflammatory arthritisPrescription & Medication Orders Musculoskeletal
LENlenalidomide (chart shorthand)Myeloma immune drug shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Hematology & Oncology
LENVlenvatinib (chart shorthand)Thyroid and liver cancer pill shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Hematology & Oncology
LETletrozole (chart shorthand)Aromatase inhibitor shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Hematology & Oncology
LET gellidocaine epinephrine tetracaine gelLaceration numbing gel for childrenPediatrics Emergency & Critical Care Prescription & Medication Orders
LevolevofloxacinFluoroquinolone antibiotic medicinePrescription & Medication Orders Infectious Disease
LEXcephalexin (chart shorthand)First-generation oral cephalosporin shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Infectious Disease
LHRH analoggonadotropin-releasing hormone analogHormone-blocking therapy used in prostate and breast cancerPrescription & Medication Orders Hematology & Oncology Endocrinology
Li levellithium level (monitoring)Blood level check for lithium safetyPsychiatry Laboratory Prescription & Medication Orders
lipid rescuelipid emulsion therapy (LAST rescue)Fat emulsion antidote for numbing drug toxicityEmergency & Critical Care Prescription & Medication Orders
loading doseloading dose (concept)Larger first dose reaching effective levels quicklyPrescription & Medication Orders General Medical
LotlotionLiquid preparation applied to the skinPrescription & Medication Orders
LRlactated Ringer'sIntravenous fluid containing salts and lactatePrescription & Medication Orders Surgery
LTBI treatmentlatent tuberculosis infection treatmentPreventive therapy for sleeping TB infectionInfectious Disease Prescription & Medication Orders
LTRAleukotriene receptor antagonist (class)Allergy-asthma tablet classPediatrics Respiratory Prescription & Medication Orders
LVXlevofloxacin (chart shorthand)Fluoroquinolone antibiotic chart shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Infectious Disease
LZDlinezolid (chart shorthand)Oxazolidinone antibiotic chart shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Infectious Disease
mAbmonoclonal antibodyLab-made antibody used as targeted therapyPrescription & Medication Orders Hematology & Oncology General Medical
MAC prophylaxisMycobacterium avium complex prophylaxisPreventive antibiotics in advanced HIVInfectious Disease Prescription & Medication Orders
Magmagnesium sulfate (seizure)Seizure prevention infusion in preeclampsia — obstetricObstetrics & Gynecology Prescription & Medication Orders
mag asthmamagnesium sulfate (asthma infusion)Bronchodilator infusion for severe asthmaPediatrics Respiratory Emergency & Critical Care Prescription & Medication Orders
MAIDmesna doxorubicin ifosfamide dacarbazineSoft tissue sarcoma combinationHematology & Oncology Prescription & Medication Orders
MAOImonoamine oxidase inhibitorAntidepressant class blocking an enzyme breaking down brain chemicalsPrescription & Medication Orders Psychiatry
MAPmethotrexate doxorubicin cisplatinOsteosarcoma chemotherapy combinationHematology & Oncology Prescription & Medication Orders Musculoskeletal
MARmedication administration recordChart recording medicines given to a patientNursing Prescription & Medication Orders
MAR checkmedication administration record checkVerification against the medication recordNursing Prescription & Medication Orders
MART childmaintenance and reliever therapy (child)Single inhaler strategy — pediatric applicabilityPediatrics Respiratory Prescription & Medication Orders
MATmedication-assisted treatmentMedicines combined with support to treat addictionPrescription & Medication Orders Psychiatry
MBCminimum bactericidal concentrationLowest antibiotic level that kills a bacteriumLaboratory Infectious Disease Prescription & Medication Orders
mcgmicrogramUnit of weight, one millionth of a gramPrescription & Medication Orders Laboratory
MDmaintenance dose (concept)Regular dose keeping drug levels steadyPrescription & Medication Orders General Medical
MDImetered-dose inhalerHandheld inhaler delivering measured puffsRespiratory Prescription & Medication Orders
MDImultiple daily injectionsSeveral insulin injections spread across the dayEndocrinology Prescription & Medication Orders
MECmitoxantrone etoposide cytarabineSalvage leukemia chemotherapy combinationHematology & Oncology Prescription & Medication Orders
med recmedication reconciliation (shorthand)List comparison process shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Nursing
MELmelphalan (chart shorthand)Alkylating drug used in myeloma and conditioningPrescription & Medication Orders Hematology & Oncology
MEMmeropenemCarbapenem antibiotic medicinePrescription & Medication Orders Infectious Disease
MenBmeningococcal B vaccineSerogroup B meningitis vaccinePediatrics Infectious Disease Prescription & Medication Orders
methemoglobinmethemoglobinemia (toxicology)Oxidized blood unable to carry oxygen — toxicologyEmergency & Critical Care Laboratory Prescription & Medication Orders
MetrometronidazoleAntibiotic and antiprotozoal medicinePrescription & Medication Orders Infectious Disease Gastroenterology
MFGmicafungin (chart shorthand)Echinocandin antifungal chart shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Infectious Disease
mgmilligramUnit of weight, one thousandth of a gramPrescription & Medication Orders Laboratory
MgSO4 ⚠ Error-pronemagnesium sulfateMagnesium salt used in several clinical settings, easily confusedPrescription & Medication Orders Laboratory
MHmalignant hyperthermia (crisis)Anesthetic-triggered overheating crisis — crisisEmergency & Critical Care Surgery Prescription & Medication Orders
MHTmenopausal hormone therapyHormones treating menopause symptomsPrescription & Medication Orders Obstetrics & Gynecology Endocrinology
MINminocycline (chart shorthand)Tetracycline antibiotic chart shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Infectious Disease
MINEmesna ifosfamide mitoxantrone etoposideSalvage lymphoma chemotherapy combinationHematology & Oncology Prescription & Medication Orders
mLmilliliterUnit of volume, one thousandth of a literPrescription & Medication Orders Laboratory
MMEmorphine milligram equivalentsStandardised measure comparing opioid strengthsPrescription & Medication Orders
MMFmycophenolate mofetilImmune-suppressing medicine used after transplantsPrescription & Medication Orders Renal & Nephrology
MOPPmechlorethamine vincristine procarbazine prednisoneHistorical Hodgkin lymphoma regimenHematology & Oncology Prescription & Medication Orders
MOUDmedications for opioid use disorderMedicines treating opioid dependencePrescription & Medication Orders Psychiatry
MPmelphalan prednisoneOlder myeloma treatment combinationHematology & Oncology Prescription & Medication Orders
MS ⚠ Error-pronemorphine sulfateStrong opioid pain medicine, abbreviation easily confusedPrescription & Medication Orders
MSO4 ⚠ Error-pronemorphine sulfateStrong opioid pain medicine, abbreviation easily confusedPrescription & Medication Orders
MTDmaximum tolerated doseHighest dose of a treatment with acceptable side effectsHematology & Oncology Prescription & Medication Orders
MTOPmedical termination of pregnancyMedicine-based ending of pregnancyObstetrics & Gynecology Prescription & Medication Orders
mTORmTOR inhibitor (class)Sirolimus-family anti-rejection classRenal & Nephrology Prescription & Medication Orders
mTORimTOR inhibitorDrug class including sirolimus and everolimusPrescription & Medication Orders Renal & Nephrology Hematology & Oncology
MTXmethotrexateMedicine suppressing the immune system and treating cancerPrescription & Medication Orders Musculoskeletal Hematology & Oncology
MTZmetronidazole (chart shorthand)Anaerobic and protozoal antibiotic shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Infectious Disease Gastroenterology
MVACmethotrexate vinblastine doxorubicin cisplatinBladder cancer chemotherapy combinationHematology & Oncology Prescription & Medication Orders
MXFmoxifloxacin (chart shorthand)Fluoroquinolone antibiotic chart shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Infectious Disease
naloxone homenaloxone (household availability)Overdose reversal medicine in homes with opioidsPediatrics Emergency & Critical Care Prescription & Medication Orders
NaSSAnoradrenergic and specific serotonergic antidepressantMirtazapine's antidepressant classPsychiatry Prescription & Medication Orders
NDRInorepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitorBupropion's antidepressant classPsychiatry Prescription & Medication Orders
NebnebulizerDevice turning liquid medicine into a breathable mistRespiratory Prescription & Medication Orders
NILOnilotinib (chart shorthand)Leukemia kinase blocker shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Hematology & Oncology
nirsevimabnirsevimab (RSV antibody)Long-acting RSV antibody for infantsPediatrics Infectious Disease Prescription & Medication Orders
NITnitrofurantoin (chart shorthand)Urinary antibiotic chart shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Infectious Disease Renal & Nephrology
NIVOnivolumab (chart shorthand)PD-1 immune checkpoint drug shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Hematology & Oncology
NKDAno known drug allergiesNo medicine allergies recorded for the patientGeneral Medical Nursing Prescription & Medication Orders
NMB ventneuromuscular blockade (ventilation adjunct)Paralyzing medicines easing ventilationRespiratory Emergency & Critical Care Prescription & Medication Orders
NNRTInon-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitorHIV drug classInfectious Disease Prescription & Medication Orders
NOACnovel oral anticoagulantEarlier name for direct blood-thinning tabletsCardiology Prescription & Medication Orders
NorepinorepinephrineNoradrenaline, a medicine supporting blood pressurePrescription & Medication Orders Emergency & Critical Care
nPEPnon-occupational post-exposure prophylaxisHIV prevention after community exposureInfectious Disease Prescription & Medication Orders
NPOnil per osNothing to eat or drink by mouthNursing Prescription & Medication Orders
NPOnothing by mouth (order)Order to take no food or drink — orderNursing Prescription & Medication Orders Surgery
NRTInucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitorHIV drug backbone classInfectious Disease Prescription & Medication Orders
NSnormal salineSalt water solution matching body salt concentrationPrescription & Medication Orders Nursing
NSAIDnonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugPain and inflammation medicine not containing steroidsPrescription & Medication Orders
OBINobinutuzumab (chart shorthand)CD20 antibody shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Hematology & Oncology
OCPoral contraceptive pillBirth control medicine taken by mouthPrescription & Medication Orders Obstetrics & Gynecology
ODoverdose (presentation)Drug excess presentation — presentationEmergency & Critical Care Psychiatry Prescription & Medication Orders
ODTorally disintegrating tabletTablet that dissolves on the tonguePrescription & Medication Orders
OintointmentGreasy preparation applied to the skinPrescription & Medication Orders
OLAPolaparib (chart shorthand)PARP blocker pill shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Hematology & Oncology
one-time ordersingle dose orderOrder given once onlyNursing Prescription & Medication Orders
oPEPoccupational post-exposure prophylaxisHIV prevention after a workplace exposureInfectious Disease Prescription & Medication Orders
OSEoseltamivir (chart shorthand)Influenza antiviral chart shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Infectious Disease
OSIosimertinib (chart shorthand)EGFR blocker pill shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Hematology & Oncology
OTCover the counterMedicine available without a prescriptionPrescription & Medication Orders
OXALIoxaliplatin (chart shorthand)Platinum chemotherapy shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Hematology & Oncology
ozounceUnit of weight or fluid volumePrescription & Medication Orders General Medical
p.c.post cibum (after meals)Latin charting for after mealsPrescription & Medication Orders Nursing
PALBOpalbociclib (chart shorthand)CDK4/6 blocker for breast cancer shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Hematology & Oncology
palivizumabpalivizumab (RSV antibody)Monthly RSV antibody for high-risk infantsPediatrics Infectious Disease Prescription & Medication Orders
PANITpanitumumab (chart shorthand)EGFR antibody shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Hematology & Oncology
PARPiPARP inhibitorTargeted pill class for BRCA-related cancersPrescription & Medication Orders Hematology & Oncology
PAZOpazopanib (chart shorthand)Kidney and sarcoma pill shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Hematology & Oncology
PCafter mealsAfter eating, from Latin post cibumPrescription & Medication Orders
PCApatient-controlled analgesiaPatient-triggered pain medicine pumpPrescription & Medication Orders Nursing Surgery
PCBprocarbazine (chart shorthand)Lymphoma chemotherapy shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Hematology & Oncology
PCEApatient-controlled epidural analgesiaPatient-triggered pain medicine through an epiduralPrescription & Medication Orders Nursing Surgery Obstetrics & Gynecology
PCNpenicillinOriginal penicillin antibiotic classPrescription & Medication Orders Infectious Disease
PEMpemetrexed (chart shorthand)Lung cancer chemotherapy shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Hematology & Oncology
PEMBROpembrolizumab (chart shorthand)PD-1 immune checkpoint drug shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Hematology & Oncology
PENTpentostatin (chart shorthand)Hairy cell leukemia drug shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Hematology & Oncology
PEPpost-exposure prophylaxisMedicine taken after exposure to prevent infectionPrescription & Medication Orders Infectious Disease
PERTpertuzumab (chart shorthand)HER2 antibody shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Hematology & Oncology
PGE1prostaglandin E1 (ductal therapy)Infusion keeping the fetal channel openPediatrics Cardiology Prescription & Medication Orders Emergency & Critical Care
PharmDDoctor of PharmacyPharmacy doctorate qualificationGeneral Medical Prescription & Medication Orders
PIprotease inhibitor (HIV)HIV drug class blocking viral protein cuttingInfectious Disease Prescription & Medication Orders
Pip-tazopiperacillin-tazobactamBroad combination antibiotic medicinePrescription & Medication Orders Infectious Disease
PitPitocin (charting shorthand)Oxytocin infusion shorthand in laborObstetrics & Gynecology Nursing Prescription & Medication Orders
PK enhancerpharmacokinetic enhancerBooster drug raising levels of HIV medicinesInfectious Disease Prescription & Medication Orders
POper osBy mouth, describing how a medicine is takenPrescription & Medication Orders
POMpomalidomide (chart shorthand)Myeloma immune drug shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Hematology & Oncology
POPprogestogen-only pillBirth control pill containing progestogen onlyPrescription & Medication Orders Obstetrics & Gynecology
POSposaconazole (chart shorthand)Azole antifungal chart shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Infectious Disease
postherpeticpostherpetic neuralgia (diagnosis)Pain after shingles — diagnosisNeurology Infectious Disease Prescription & Medication Orders
PPIproton pump inhibitorMedicine strongly reducing stomach acidPrescription & Medication Orders Gastroenterology
PPNpartial parenteral nutritionSome nutrition given through a veinPrescription & Medication Orders Nursing
PRper rectumThrough the rectum, describing a medicine routePrescription & Medication Orders
PrEPpre-exposure prophylaxisMedicine taken before exposure to prevent HIVPrescription & Medication Orders Infectious Disease
prnas needed (lowercase form)Latin pro re nata in lowercase chartingPrescription & Medication Orders Nursing
PRNpro re nataAs needed, describing when a medicine may be givenPrescription & Medication Orders
PRN orderas-needed orderOrder used only when a condition occursNursing Prescription & Medication Orders
proactive therapyproactive therapy (eczema maintenance)Intermittent anti-inflammatory maintenance on clear skinPediatrics Prescription & Medication Orders
prophylaxisantimicrobial prophylaxis (transplant)Preventive anti-infection medicines — transplantRenal & Nephrology Infectious Disease Prescription & Medication Orders
propranolol hemangiomapropranolol (hemangioma treatment)Beta blocker shrinking baby hemangiomasPediatrics Prescription & Medication Orders
PTX2paclitaxel (chart shorthand)Taxane chemotherapy shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Hematology & Oncology
PVper vaginaThrough the vagina, describing a medicine routePrescription & Medication Orders Obstetrics & Gynecology
pyridostigminepyridostigmine (symptomatic)Symptom-relief drug for myasthenia — sense as chartedNeurology Prescription & Medication Orders
PZApyrazinamide (chart shorthand)Core tuberculosis drug shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Infectious Disease
Q12Hevery twelve hoursAt twelve-hour intervalsPrescription & Medication Orders Nursing
Q2Hevery two hoursAt two-hour intervalsPrescription & Medication Orders Nursing
Q4Hevery four hoursAt four-hour intervalsPrescription & Medication Orders Nursing
Q6Hevery six hoursAt six-hour intervalsPrescription & Medication Orders Nursing
Q8Hevery eight hoursAt eight-hour intervalsPrescription & Medication Orders Nursing
qAMevery morningFrequency shorthand for daily morning dosingPrescription & Medication Orders Nursing
QAMquaque ante meridiemEvery morningPrescription & Medication Orders
qdonce daily (lowercase form)Daily frequency in lowercase charting — error-pronePrescription & Medication Orders Nursing
QD ⚠ Error-pronequaque dieOnce daily, an error-prone abbreviation to avoidPrescription & Medication Orders
QDayevery dayOnce each day, written out to avoid confusionPrescription & Medication Orders
QHquaque horaEvery hourPrescription & Medication Orders
qhsevery night at bedtime (lowercase form)Bedtime frequency in lowercase chartingPrescription & Medication Orders Nursing
QHS ⚠ Error-pronequaque hora somniEvery night at bedtimePrescription & Medication Orders
qidfour times a day (lowercase form)Frequency in lowercase chartingPrescription & Medication Orders Nursing
QIDquater in dieFour times a dayPrescription & Medication Orders
qodevery other day (lowercase form)Alternate-day frequency in lowercase chartingPrescription & Medication Orders Nursing
QOD ⚠ Error-pronequaque altera dieEvery other day, an error-prone abbreviation to avoidPrescription & Medication Orders
qPMevery eveningFrequency shorthand for daily evening dosingPrescription & Medication Orders Nursing
QPMquaque post meridiemEvery eveningPrescription & Medication Orders
R-CHOPrituximab plus CHOPAntibody plus chemotherapy for B-cell lymphomaHematology & Oncology Prescription & Medication Orders
R-CHOPrituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisoneCombination chemotherapy regimen for lymphoma, from drug initialsHematology & Oncology Prescription & Medication Orders
R-CVPrituximab plus CVPAntibody plus chemotherapy combinationHematology & Oncology Prescription & Medication Orders
racemic epiracemic epinephrine (croup)Nebulized adrenaline for croup — treatmentPediatrics Respiratory Emergency & Critical Care Prescription & Medication Orders
RBVribavirin (chart shorthand)Broad antiviral chart shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Infectious Disease
Rdlenalidomide dexamethasoneMyeloma treatment combination shorthandHematology & Oncology Prescription & Medication Orders
reconcilemedication reconciliationComparing medication lists at transitions of carePrescription & Medication Orders Nursing General Medical
relieverreliever therapy (asthma rescue)Quick relief asthma treatmentPediatrics Respiratory Prescription & Medication Orders
rescue courserescue course (antenatal steroids)Repeat steroid course when delivery looms againObstetrics & Gynecology Prescription & Medication Orders
resume medresume medication (order)Instruction to restart a held drugPrescription & Medication Orders Nursing
rFVIIarecombinant activated factor VIIClotting factor drug for severe bleeding disordersHematology & Oncology Prescription & Medication Orders
Rh(D) immuneRh immune globulin (RhoGAM)Anti-D injection preventing sensitizationObstetrics & Gynecology Laboratory Prescription & Medication Orders
RIBOribociclib (chart shorthand)CDK4/6 blocker shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Hematology & Oncology
RIFrifampinAntibiotic medicine used against tuberculosisPrescription & Medication Orders Infectious Disease
RIPErifampin isoniazid pyrazinamide ethambutolStandard four-drug tuberculosis regimen shorthandInfectious Disease Prescription & Medication Orders
RITUXrituximab (chart shorthand)CD20 antibody shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Hematology & Oncology
RLRinger's lactateIntravenous fluid containing salts and lactatePrescription & Medication Orders Surgery
rocrocuronium (intubation)Fast paralyzing drug for tube placementEmergency & Critical Care Prescription & Medication Orders
rotavirusrotavirus vaccine (oral)Oral diarrhea-preventing vaccinePediatrics Infectious Disease Prescription & Medication Orders
RPhregistered pharmacistLicensed pharmacistPrescription & Medication Orders
RSV immunRSV immunization (nirsevimab)Antibody shot protecting babies from RSVPediatrics Infectious Disease Prescription & Medication Orders
RTXrituximabTargeted antibody medicine depleting B cellsPrescription & Medication Orders Hematology & Oncology
RUTFready-to-use therapeutic foodPeanut-based malnutrition treatment foodPediatrics Prescription & Medication Orders
RVD-litelenalidomide bortezomib dexamethasone (reduced intensity)Gentler myeloma induction for frail patientsHematology & Oncology Prescription & Medication Orders
RxprescriptionA written order for medicine or treatmentPrescription & Medication Orders
SAshort-actingMedicine whose effect lasts a short timePrescription & Medication Orders
SABAshort-acting beta-agonist (rescue)Quick relief inhaler — rescuePediatrics Respiratory Prescription & Medication Orders
SAEserious adverse eventUnfavourable occurrence that is life-threatening, disabling or fatalGeneral Medical Prescription & Medication Orders
salt tabssalt tablets (supplement)Oral sodium for chronic low sodiumRenal & Nephrology Endocrinology Prescription & Medication Orders
SAMe-TT2R2SAMe-TT2R2 scorePredicts good warfarin control in atrial fibrillationCardiology Prescription & Medication Orders
SAPTsingle antiplatelet therapyOne antiplatelet medicine used aloneCardiology Prescription & Medication Orders
SARIserotonin antagonist and reuptake inhibitorTrazodone's antidepressant classPsychiatry Prescription & Medication Orders
SASHsaline antibiotics saline heparin (flush sequence)Line flushing sequence after IV antibioticsNursing Prescription & Medication Orders
SC ⚠ Error-pronesubcutaneousUnder the skin, describing an injection routePrescription & Medication Orders Nursing
scheduled medscheduled medicationMedication given at fixed timesNursing Prescription & Medication Orders
SERDselective estrogen receptor degraderBreast cancer hormone drug classPrescription & Medication Orders Hematology & Oncology
SERMselective estrogen receptor modulatorBreast cancer hormone drug class, e.g. tamoxifenPrescription & Medication Orders Hematology & Oncology Endocrinology
serotonin syndromeserotonin syndrome (diagnosis)Excess serotonin drug reaction — diagnosisPsychiatry Emergency & Critical Care Prescription & Medication Orders
SGAsecond-generation antipsychoticNewer class of antipsychotic medicinePrescription & Medication Orders Psychiatry
SGA antipsychoticsecond-generation antipsychotic (atypical)Newer antipsychotic classPsychiatry Prescription & Medication Orders
SGLT2isodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitorDiabetes medicine class increasing sugar loss in urinePrescription & Medication Orders Endocrinology Renal & Nephrology Cardiology
SLsublingualUnder the tongue, describing a medicine routePrescription & Medication Orders
SMARTsingle maintenance and reliever therapy ()One-inhaler asthma strategyRespiratory Prescription & Medication Orders
SMIsoft mist inhaler (device)Slow-mist inhaler deviceRespiratory Prescription & Medication Orders
SMSserotonin modulator and stimulatorVortioxetine's antidepressant classPsychiatry Prescription & Medication Orders
SNRIserotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitorAntidepressant medicine affecting serotonin and norepinephrinePrescription & Medication Orders Psychiatry
SolsolutionLiquid mixture with a substance dissolved in itPrescription & Medication Orders
SORAsorafenib (chart shorthand)Liver and kidney cancer pill shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Hematology & Oncology
SPARIserotonin partial agonist reuptake inhibitorVilazodone's antidepressant classPsychiatry Prescription & Medication Orders
SQ ⚠ Error-pronesubcutaneousUnder the skin, describing an injection routePrescription & Medication Orders Nursing
SRsustained releaseMedicine released slowly over timePrescription & Medication Orders
SRLsirolimus (transplant shorthand)Immune-suppressing transplant drugPrescription & Medication Orders Renal & Nephrology
SSRIselective serotonin reuptake inhibitorAntidepressant medicine increasing serotonin availabilityPrescription & Medication Orders Psychiatry
SSZsulfasalazineMedicine used for inflammatory bowel and joint diseasePrescription & Medication Orders Musculoskeletal Gastroenterology
Stanford VStanford V regimenShorter Hodgkin lymphoma chemotherapy programHematology & Oncology Prescription & Medication Orders
STATstatimImmediately, at onceGeneral Medical Prescription & Medication Orders
stat dosestat dose (single immediate)One dose to be given immediatelyPrescription & Medication Orders Nursing Emergency & Critical Care
steroid-freesteroid-free protocol (transplant)Maintenance without prednisoneRenal & Nephrology Prescription & Medication Orders Surgery
SubQsubcutaneousUnder the skin, describing an injection routePrescription & Medication Orders Nursing
sucroseoral sucrose (infant pain)Sweet solution calming babies during proceduresPediatrics Nursing Prescription & Medication Orders
SUNIsunitinib (chart shorthand)Kidney cancer pill shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Hematology & Oncology
SuppsuppositorySolid medicine form inserted into rectum or vaginaPrescription & Medication Orders
surfactantsurfactant (replacement)Lung-coating replacement for preterm babiesPediatrics Respiratory Prescription & Medication Orders
SurvantaSurvanta (beractant brand)Cow-derived surfactant brandPediatrics Prescription & Medication Orders
SuspsuspensionLiquid medicine with particles dispersed through itPrescription & Medication Orders
suxsux (succinylcholine shorthand)Very short paralyzing drug shorthandEmergency & Critical Care Prescription & Medication Orders
sux apneasux apnea (prolonged paralysis)Extended paralysis from enzyme deficiency after succinylcholineEmergency & Critical Care Prescription & Medication Orders
SXTtrimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (chart shorthand)Combination antibiotic chart shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Infectious Disease
SynagisSynagis (palivizumab brand)RSV antibody brand namePediatrics Prescription & Medication Orders
SyrsyrupSweetened liquid form of medicinePrescription & Medication Orders
syrup ipecacsyrup of ipecac (no longer recommended)Obsolete vomiting inducer kept out of homesPediatrics Emergency & Critical Care Prescription & Medication Orders
SZCsodium zirconium cyclosilicate (binder)Fast potassium binder powderRenal & Nephrology Prescription & Medication Orders Emergency & Critical Care
TabtabletSolid form of medicine taken by mouthPrescription & Medication Orders
TACdocetaxel doxorubicin cyclophosphamideBreast cancer chemotherapy combinationHematology & Oncology Prescription & Medication Orders
TACtacrolimus (transplant shorthand)Immune-suppressing drug after transplantPrescription & Medication Orders Renal & Nephrology Hematology & Oncology
tac leveltacrolimus level (monitoring)Anti-rejection drug level — monitoringRenal & Nephrology Laboratory Prescription & Medication Orders
tac toxicitycalcineurin inhibitor nephrotoxicity (graft)Drug-caused kidney injury in transplant careRenal & Nephrology Prescription & Medication Orders
TAMtamoxifen (chart shorthand)Breast cancer hormone pill shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Hematology & Oncology
taperdose taper (concept)Gradual dose reduction schedulePrescription & Medication Orders General Medical
tbsptablespoonHousehold measure of about fifteen millilitersPrescription & Medication Orders
TCdocetaxel cyclophosphamideBreast cancer chemotherapy combinationHematology & Oncology Prescription & Medication Orders
TCAtricyclic antidepressantOlder class of antidepressant medicinePrescription & Medication Orders Psychiatry
TCHPdocetaxel carboplatin trastuzumab pertuzumabHER2-positive breast cancer combinationHematology & Oncology Prescription & Medication Orders
TCI skintopical calcineurin inhibitors (eczema)Non-steroid eczema creamsPediatrics Prescription & Medication Orders
TCS skintopical corticosteroids (eczema)Steroid creams for eczemaPediatrics Prescription & Medication Orders
TdapTdap (adolescent/adult formulation)Tetanus diphtheria pertussis vaccine — formulationPediatrics Infectious Disease Obstetrics & Gynecology Prescription & Medication Orders
Tdap pregnancyTdap in pregnancy (cocooning)Pertussis vaccine each pregnancyObstetrics & Gynecology Pediatrics Infectious Disease Prescription & Medication Orders
terbutalineterbutaline (asthma infusion)Injected bronchodilator for severe asthmaPediatrics Respiratory Prescription & Medication Orders
TGCtigecycline (chart shorthand)Glycylcycline antibiotic chart shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Infectious Disease
THpaclitaxel trastuzumabBreast cancer chemo-antibody combination shorthandHematology & Oncology Prescription & Medication Orders
THALthalidomide (chart shorthand)Myeloma immune drug shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Hematology & Oncology
TIDter in dieThree times a dayPrescription & Medication Orders
tidthree times a day (lowercase form)Frequency in lowercase chartingPrescription & Medication Orders Nursing
TIPpaclitaxel ifosfamide cisplatinTesticular cancer salvage combinationHematology & Oncology Prescription & Medication Orders
titratetitrate (dose adjustment)Adjusting dose to responsePrescription & Medication Orders General Medical Emergency & Critical Care
TIW ⚠ Error-pronethree times a weekThree times weekly, easily misreadPrescription & Medication Orders
TKItyrosine kinase inhibitorTargeted cancer pill class blocking growth signalsPrescription & Medication Orders Hematology & Oncology
TKOto keep openSame slow IV rate as KVONursing Prescription & Medication Orders
TMP-SMXtrimethoprim-sulfamethoxazoleCombination antibiotic medicinePrescription & Medication Orders Infectious Disease
TMZtemozolomide (chart shorthand)Brain tumor chemotherapy shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Hematology & Oncology Neurology
TNKtenecteplase (stroke shorthand)Single-bolus clot-dissolving drug shorthandNeurology Emergency & Critical Care Prescription & Medication Orders
TOBtobramycin (chart shorthand)Aminoglycoside antibiotic chart shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Infectious Disease
tocolytics classtocolytics (drug class)Contraction-stopping medicines — classObstetrics & Gynecology Prescription & Medication Orders
ToptopicalApplied to the skin surfacePrescription & Medication Orders
topical anesthetic childtopical anesthetic (EMLA)Numbing cream before needle proceduresPediatrics Nursing Prescription & Medication Orders
tPAalteplase (stroke)Clot-dissolving drug — stroke treatmentNeurology Emergency & Critical Care Prescription & Medication Orders
TPNtotal parenteral nutritionAll nutrition given through a veinPrescription & Medication Orders Nursing
TPO-RAthrombopoietin receptor agonistMedicine boosting platelet productionPrescription & Medication Orders Hematology & Oncology
TRASTtrastuzumab (chart shorthand)HER2 antibody shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Hematology & Oncology
tspteaspoonHousehold measure of about five millilitersPrescription & Medication Orders
TXAtranexamic acidMedicine that stabilises blood clotsPrescription & Medication Orders Hematology & Oncology Surgery
TZDthiazolidinedioneDiabetes medicine class improving insulin sensitivityPrescription & Medication Orders Endocrinology
TZPpiperacillin-tazobactamBroad combination antibiotic medicinePrescription & Medication Orders Infectious Disease
U ⚠ Error-proneunitUnit of measure, error-prone when handwrittenPrescription & Medication Orders
UDas directedUse as instructed, from Latin ut dictumPrescription & Medication Orders
USPUnited States PharmacopeiaOfficial medicine quality standards body and its standardsPrescription & Medication Orders
VACvincristine actinomycin D cyclophosphamideSarcoma chemotherapy combinationHematology & Oncology Prescription & Medication Orders
VANvancomycin (chart shorthand)Glycopeptide antibiotic chart shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Infectious Disease
VancvancomycinAntibiotic medicine for serious resistant infectionsPrescription & Medication Orders Infectious Disease
VasovasopressinHormone and medicine supporting blood pressure and water balancePrescription & Medication Orders Emergency & Critical Care Endocrinology
VBLvinblastine (chart shorthand)Plant-alkaloid chemotherapy shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Hematology & Oncology
VCRvincristine (chart shorthand)Plant-alkaloid chemotherapy shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Hematology & Oncology
VCVvalacyclovir (chart shorthand)Oral herpes antiviral shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Infectious Disease
VDCvincristine doxorubicin cyclophosphamideEwing sarcoma chemotherapy combinationHematology & Oncology Prescription & Medication Orders
VeIPvinblastine ifosfamide cisplatinTesticular cancer salvage combinationHematology & Oncology Prescription & Medication Orders
VENvenetoclax (chart shorthand)BCL-2 blocker pill shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Hematology & Oncology
VGCVvalganciclovir (chart shorthand)Oral CMV antiviral shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Infectious Disease
VIPetoposide ifosfamide cisplatinTesticular cancer salvage combinationHematology & Oncology Prescription & Medication Orders
VKAvitamin K antagonistBlood-thinning medicine blocking vitamin K, such as warfarinPrescription & Medication Orders Hematology & Oncology
VMPbortezomib melphalan prednisoneMyeloma treatment combinationHematology & Oncology Prescription & Medication Orders
VNRvinorelbine (chart shorthand)Plant-alkaloid chemotherapy shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Hematology & Oncology
VP-16etoposideChemotherapy drug also called etoposidePrescription & Medication Orders Hematology & Oncology
VPA levelvalproate level (monitoring)Blood level check for valproic acidPsychiatry Laboratory Neurology Prescription & Medication Orders
VRCvoriconazole (chart shorthand)Azole antifungal chart shorthandPrescription & Medication Orders Infectious Disease
VRdbortezomib lenalidomide dexamethasoneMyeloma induction combinationHematology & Oncology Prescription & Medication Orders
VZIGvaricella-zoster immune globulinAntibody protection after chickenpox exposurePediatrics Infectious Disease Prescription & Medication Orders
WDwithdrawal (documentation shorthand)Abstinence syndrome shorthandPsychiatry Prescription & Medication Orders
XELOXcapecitabine oxaliplatin (XELOX naming)Colon cancer combination named from brand XelodaHematology & Oncology Prescription & Medication Orders Gastroenterology
XRextended releaseMedicine released slowly over timePrescription & Medication Orders
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.