| Abbreviation | Derivation | Meaning |
| alt. dieb. | alternis diebus | on alternate days |
| aq. | aqua | water |
| bin | bis in noctis | two times a night |
| bis i. d. | bis in diem | twice a day |
| c. | circa | about, approximately |
| ca. | circa | about, approximately |
| comp | compositus | compound |
| cont. rem. | continuantur remedia | let the remedies be continued |
| d. | da | give, administer |
| de d. in d. | de die in diem | daily |
| dieb. alt. | diebus alternis | on alternate days |
| dil. | dilue, dilutus | dilute, dilutus |
| in p. aeq. | dividiatur in partes aequales | divide into equal parts |
| Dur. dolor. | durante dolore | while the pain lasts |
| FDA | | Food & Drug Administration |
| grad. | gradatim | gradually |
| gt | gutta | drops |
| h | hora | hour |
| hor. som. | hora somni | at bedtime |
| h.s. | hora somni | at bedtime |
| in d. | in dies | daily |
| m. | misce | mix |
| m. et n. | mane et nocte | morning and night |
| mg | | milligram |
| N.F. | | National Formulary |
| n.b. | nota bene | mark well |
| noct. maneq. | noct maneque | night and morning |
| NPO | nulla per os | nothing by mouth |
| o.d. | omni die | every day |
| oh | omni hora | every hour |
| ol | oleum | oil |
| om | omni mane | every morning |
| omn. hor. | omni hora | every hour |
| on | omni nocte | every night |
| os | os | mouth |
| oz. | | ounce |
| p.c. | post cibum | after meals |
| PDR | | Physicians Desk Reference |
| po | per os | by mouth |
| p.p.a. | phiala prius agitata | shake the bottle first |
| p.r.n. | pro re nata | as occasion arises |
| Q(q) | quaque | every |
| q.h. | quaque hora | every hour |
| q.l. | quantum libet | as much as desired |
| q.p. | quantum placeat | as much as you please |
| q.q.h. | quaque quarta hora | every four hours |
| qq. hor. | quaque hora | every hour |
| q.suff. | quantum sufficit | as much as suffices |
| q.s. | quantum satis | as much as suffices |
| quotid. | quotidie | daily |
| R/ | recipe | take |
| si op. sit | si opus sit | if necessary |
| solv. | solve | dissolve |
| st. | stet, stent | let it stand, let them stand |
| subq | | subcutaneous injection |
| sum. | sume | take |
| syr | syrupus | syrup |
| tab | | tablet |
| tal. | talis | such |
| ter i. d. | ter in diem | three times a day |
| ung | ungentum | ointment |
| U.S.P. | | United States Pharmacopeia |
| ut dict. | ut dictum | as directed |
