*: off-label indication
**: important caution or notice
5HT-1: 5-hydroxytriptamine 1
abd: abdomen(al)
abx: antibiotic
AD: right ear
adj: adjust
aer: aerosol
aero: aerosol
Alt: alternate or alternative
amt: amount
antihist: antihistamine
antituss: antitussive
APAP: acetaminophen
applic: application
art: arterial
AS: left ear
AU: each ear
bid: twice daily
BP: blood pressure
buc: buccal
bx: biopsy
BZD: benzodiazepine
C: cream
CA: cancer
cap: capsule
CAPD: continuous ambulatory periotoneal dialysis
cc: cubic centimeter
CCB: calcium channel blocker
CH: chewable
chemotx: chemotherapy
conc: concentration
CrCl: creatinine clearance
crm: cream
d: day
D/C: discontinuation or discontinue
ddx: differential diagnosis
decong: decongestant
decr: decrease or decreased
defic: deficiency
div: divided
dl: deciliter
DPI: dry powder inhaler
ds: disease
dysfxn: dysfunction
dz: disease
effvr: effervescent
elev: elevated
elix: elixir
esoph: esophageal
ESRD: end stage renal disease
ETT: endotracheal tube
extr: extract
FA: folic acid or folate
freq: frequency
fxn: function
G: gel
g: gram
GC: glucocorticoid
gel: gel or jelly
gran: granules
gtt: drop
h: hour
HCTZ: hydrochlorothiazide
HD: hemodialysis
HRT: hormone replacement therapy
ht: height
hx: history
hypersens: hypersensitivity
IA: intra arterial
IBW: ideal body weight
IM: intramuscularly
incr: increase or increased
infus: continuous infusion
INH: oral inhaler or orally inhaled
inj: injection or injectable
intraureth: intraurethral
intxn: interaction
IT: intrathecally
IU: international unit
IV: intravenously
kg: kilogram
L: lotion
l: liter
lb: pound
liq: liquid
lot: lotion
loz: lozenge
LT: long term
malig: malignancy
max: maximum
MC: mineralocorticoid
mcg: microgram
MDI: metered dose inhaler
mEq: milliequivalent
Mfr: manufacturer
mg: milligram
min: minute
ml: milliliter
mm: millimeter
mmHg: millimeters of mercury
mMol: millimole
mo: month or month old
mod: moderate
mOsmol: milliosmole
msec: millisecond
MTX: methotrexate
m^2: square meter
N/V: nausea/vomiting
NAS: nasal inhaler or nasally inhaled
NEB: nebulized inhalation
neb: nebulizer solution
nec: necessary
NG: via nasogastric tube
ng: nanogram
NL: normal
NQWMI: non-Q wave MI
NTE: not to exceed
O: ointment
OCP: oral contraceptive
OD: right eye
ODT: orally disintegrating tablet
oint: ointment
OS: left eye
OTC: available over-the-counter
OTIC: instilled in the external ear canal
OU: each eye
oz: ounce
P: powder
PCI: percutaneous coronary intervention
PCN: penicillin
PE: pulmonary embolus
pkg: package
pkt: packet
plt: platelet
PO: orally
postop: post-operatively
ppd: packs per day
PR: per rectum
preop: pre-operatively
prep: preparation
prev: previously
prn: as needed
prophyl: prophylaxis
pt: patient
pts: patients
PV: given vaginally or vaginal suppository
pwdr: powder
q12h: every twelve hours
q3h: every three hours
q4h: every four hours
q6h: every six hours
q8h: every 8 hours
qac: before every meal
qam : every morning
qd: once daily
qhs: every evening
qid: four times daily
qmo: every month
qnoon: every noon
qod: every other day
qpm : every afternoon/evening
qwk: every week
R/O: rule out
resp: respiratory
rxn: reaction
S: solution
SC: subcutaneous
sec: second
sev: severe
SH: shampoo
shmp: shampoo
SL: sublingual
SMX: sulfamethoxazole
sol: solution
solub: soluble
SR: sustained-release formulation
supp: suppository
suppl: supplement
susp: suspension
sx: signs or symptoms
syr: syrup
tab: tablet
tbsp: tablespoon
tid: three times daily
tinc: tincture
TMP: trimethoprim
TOP: topical route
troc: troche
tsp: teaspoon
tx: treatment or therapy
txp: transplant
U: unit
vagC: vaginal cream
w/: with
w/in: within
w/o: without
wk: week
wt: weight
XR: extended release
XRTx: radiation therapy
y: year
yo: year old
yr: year