Your prescription
The following information is commonly provided on a prescription but may vary from country to country:
- Your full name and address
- Doctor’s full name, address and telephone number
- Date the prescription was issued
- Doctor’s signature
- Doctor’s identification / registration number (unique number given to all doctors)
- Medicine name, dose, dosage form and amount
- Directions for use
- Refill or repeat prescription instructions
Doctors often use shortened instruction when issuing a prescription. It is important that you ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any medical terms or abbreviations you do not understand.
Examples of commonly used medical abbreviations
| Medical Abbreviation | Meaning |
| ac | before meals |
| pc | after meals |
| po | by mouth |
| bd / bid | twice a day |
| tds / tid | three times a day |
| qds / qid | four times a day |
| mdu | as needed |
| prn | as necessary/when required |
| od | once daily |
| qd | every day |
| qqh | every four hours |
| mane | in the morning |
| nocté | at night |
| mitte | give |
| sig | dose/frequency |

