Free tool
Sig code translator
Type a prescription’s directions, or sig, and read it in plain English, piece by piece. It flags abbreviations on the Do Not Use lists, too.
In plain English
Take 1 tablet by mouth twice a day for 7 days.
- tabtablet
- POby mouth
- BIDtwice a day
- x 7dfor 7 days
Good to know: QD is on the Do Not Use list. Write “daily” instead.
Try another
For exam study only, not medical advice.
Common sig abbreviations
The abbreviations the translator reads, as they show up on prescriptions and on the PTCE. Pharmacies spell many of them out on labels to prevent errors.
Doses and units
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| tab | tablet |
| cap | capsule |
| gtt | drop |
| tsp | teaspoon (5 mL) |
| tbsp | tablespoon (15 mL) |
| mL | milliliter |
| mg | milligram |
| mcg | microgram |
| g | gram |
| supp | suppository |
| puff | puff |
| spray | spray |
| patch | patch |
| unit | unit |
| inj | injection |
| susp | suspension |
| soln | solution |
| oint | ointment |
Routes
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| PO | by mouth |
| SL | under the tongue |
| PR | rectally |
| PV | vaginally |
| top | on the skin |
| TD | through the skin |
| inh | by inhalation |
| IM | into a muscle |
| subcut | under the skin |
| SubQ | under the skin |
| IV | into a vein |
Eyes and ears
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| OU | in both eyes |
| OD | in the right eye |
| OS | in the left eye |
| AU | in both ears |
| AD | in the right ear |
| AS | in the left ear |
How often
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| daily | once a day |
| BID | twice a day |
| TID | three times a day |
| QID | four times a day |
| weekly | once a week |
| ATC | around the clock |
| q4h | every 4 hours |
| q6h | every 6 hours |
| q8h | every 8 hours |
When
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| qAM | every morning |
| qPM | every evening |
| HS | at bedtime |
| qHS | every night at bedtime |
| AC | before meals |
| PC | after meals |
| STAT | right away |
| UD | as directed |
| NPO | nothing by mouth |
| PRN | as needed |
| x 7d | for 7 days |
Do not use these
These are on The Joint Commission’s Do Not Use list or ISMP’s list of error-prone abbreviations, because each has been misread in ways that harmed patients.
- QD
QD can be mistaken for QOD or QID. Write “daily” instead.
- QOD
QOD can be mistaken for QD or QID. Write “every other day” instead.
- U
U can be read as 0, 4 or cc. Write “unit” instead.
- IU
IU can be read as IV or 10. Write “international unit” instead.
- MS
MS can mean morphine sulfate or magnesium sulfate. Write the full drug name.
- MSO4
MSO4 is confused with MgSO4. Write “morphine sulfate” instead.
- MgSO4
MgSO4 is confused with MSO4. Write “magnesium sulfate” instead.
- cc
cc can be read as U or 00. Write “mL” instead.
- SQ
SQ can be read as SL or as “5 every”. Write “subcut” instead.
- SC
SC can be read as SL. Write “subcut” instead.
Practice sig codes for the PTCE
Scriptwise has sig code practice sets, pharmacy math with the working shown and over 800 PTCE questions, each one explained. Free to start.