These abbreviations come from Latin pharmacy terms. Here are the most common ones:
| Abbreviation | Latin | Plain English |
|---|---|---|
| QD / QAM | quaque die | Once a day / Every morning |
| BID | bis in die | Twice a day |
| TID | ter in die | Three times a day |
| QID | quater in die | Four times a day |
| PRN | pro re nata | As needed |
| PO | per os | By mouth (swallow it) |
| SL | sub lingua | Under the tongue |
| AC | ante cibum | Before meals |
| PC | post cibum | After meals |
| HS | hora somni | At bedtime |
| Sig | signetur | Directions for use |
| Disp | dispensa | Dispense (quantity to give) |
Every prescription label must include these parts by law:
1. Your name — confirm it's your name before taking any medication.
2. Drug name and strength — for example, "Metformin 500 mg."
3. Instructions — how many pills to take, how often, and any special timing.
4. Special warnings — stickers like "May cause drowsiness" or "Take with food."
5. Refill information — how many refills remain and when they expire.
6. Pharmacy contact — call them any time with questions. That's what they're there for.
Still confused? Paste your label text into our Medication Simplifier tool for an instant plain-English explanation.
Not always — and this is important. Some medications interact badly with each other, making one or both less effective or even dangerous.
Always tell your doctor and pharmacist every medication you take, including vitamins, supplements, and over-the-counter drugs like ibuprofen or antihistamines.
Common risky combinations include: blood thinners + aspirin, certain antidepressants + migraine medications, and grapefruit juice + many common medications (yes, grapefruit!). When in doubt, call your pharmacist — it's a free service and they check interactions every day.
The general rule: take the missed dose as soon as you remember — unless it's almost time for your next scheduled dose. If your next dose is coming up soon, skip the missed one.
Never double up to catch up. Taking two doses at once can cause serious side effects.
Some medications (like certain antibiotics or blood pressure drugs) have specific make-up instructions. Check your label or the medication guide, or call your pharmacist to be sure.
Yes. Generic medications contain the exact same active ingredient at the same dose as their brand-name counterparts. The FDA requires generics to be "bioequivalent" — meaning they work the same way in your body.
Generics may look different (different color, size, or shape) because manufacturers can change inactive ingredients like fillers and dyes. But the part of the drug that actually treats your condition is identical.
The main benefit? Generics typically cost 80–85% less than brand-name drugs. If your pharmacy offers a generic for your medication, it's almost always the smarter choice.
Think of side effects in three tiers:
Mild — nausea, mild headache, dry mouth, drowsiness. These usually fade after a few days as your body adjusts. Stay hydrated and give it time.
Moderate — persistent vomiting, significant dizziness, skin rash, mood changes. These may need a call to your doctor to discuss adjusting the dose or switching medications.
Serious — call 911 or go to the ER immediately: chest pain, trouble breathing, swelling of the face/lips/tongue/throat, severe skin blistering, signs of an allergic reaction (hives, wheezing), or any symptom that feels life-threatening.
It means take the medication during or right after eating. There are two reasons a label says this:
1. Absorption — some medications need fat or stomach acid from food to absorb properly into your bloodstream.
2. Stomach protection — some drugs (like ibuprofen, certain antibiotics, or steroids) can irritate the stomach lining and cause nausea or even ulcers if taken on an empty stomach.
A full meal isn't always required — even a light snack like crackers or half a banana is usually enough. If you can't eat, ask your pharmacist if it's okay to take the medication anyway.
There are three safe options:
1. Take-back programs (best option) — Many pharmacies, police stations, and hospitals host free medication take-back events or have permanent drop boxes. Search "drug take-back near me."
2. Trash disposal — Mix medications with something unpleasant (coffee grounds, kitty litter, or dirt), seal in a bag, and put in household trash. Remove personal info from the bottle label first.
3. Flushing (specific medications only) — The FDA maintains a list of medications that are safe to flush because they pose serious risks if accidentally taken. Only flush medications on that list.
Never give old medications to someone else. Even if the condition seems the same, the dose or drug may be wrong for them.