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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
acbefore meals
pcafter meals
poby mouth
bd / bidtwice a day
tds / tidthree times a day
qds / qidfour times a day
mduas needed
prnas necessary/when required
odonce daily
qdevery day
qqhevery four hours
manein the morning
noctéat night
mittegive
sigdose/frequency
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