Pharmacy Sig Codes and Prescription Abbreviations
Updated October 27, 2026
Pharmacy technicians translate prescription shorthand, the “sig,” into clear directions for the label. It’s at the heart of Order Entry and Processing, 22.5% of the PTCE. Here are the codes you’ll see most, followed by free practice questions.
Some abbreviations, such as qd and qod, are on the Joint Commission’s “Do Not Use” list and shouldn’t be used, but you still need to recognize them. See our patient safety page.
How often
| Code | Meaning |
|---|---|
| qd (do not use) | Every day |
| bid | Twice a day |
| tid | Three times a day |
| qid | Four times a day |
| q4h, q6h, q8h | Every 4, 6 or 8 hours |
| prn | As needed |
| qhs, hs | At bedtime |
| ac | Before meals |
| pc | After meals |
| stat | Immediately |
How it’s taken
| Code | Meaning |
|---|---|
| po | By mouth |
| SL | Under the tongue |
| top | Topically, on the skin |
| IM | Into a muscle |
| subcut (SC, SQ) | Under the skin |
| IV | Into a vein |
| pr | Rectally |
| gtt | Drops |
| inh | Inhaled |
Other common codes
| Code | Meaning |
|---|---|
| tab | Tablet |
| cap | Capsule |
| disp | Dispense |
| NR | No refills |
| ud | As directed |
| NPO | Nothing by mouth |
Putting it together
Sig: 1 tab po bid pc = Take 1 tablet by mouth twice a day after meals.
Free sig code practice questions
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What does "bid" mean?Answer: B"bid" means twice a day. "tid" is three times a day and "qid" is four times a day.
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Translate the sig: "1 cap po tid prn pain"Answer: Acap = capsule, po = by mouth, tid = three times a day, prn = as needed.
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What does "ac" mean on a prescription?Answer: C"ac" means before meals and "pc" means after meals.
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Which abbreviation means "under the tongue"?Answer: BSL means sublingual, under the tongue. Nitroglycerin tablets are a common example.
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A prescription reads "1 tab po q6h." How many tablets will the patient take in 24 hours?Answer: DEvery 6 hours means 24 ÷ 6 = 4 doses a day, so 4 tablets.
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What does "hs" mean?Answer: D"hs" (or qhs) means at bedtime, from the Latin "hora somni."
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