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Introduction
1. Medications
2. Patient safety and quality assurance
3. Order entry and processing
3.1 Procedures to compound non-sterile products
3.2 Formulas and calculations
3.3 Medical terminology and sig codes
3.4 Prescription intake and order entry
3.5 Additional information
3.6 Roles and responsibilities of the pharmacy technician
3.7 Health insurance plans and common terms
3.8 Inventory management
4. Federal requirements
Wrapping up
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3.3 Medical terminology and sig codes
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3. Order entry and processing

Medical terminology and sig codes

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Sig codes are standard prescription abbreviations used commonly in the pharmacy and by healthcare providers. The name “Sig” originates from the Latin word “Signetur,” which means “let it be labeled”. Most Sig codes denote how, how much, when, and how frequently to use a medication. Sig codes can be written in either uppercase or lowercase if the letters are used correctly. Since they are standard codes, they increase the efficiency and speed of processing and filling medications. However, there can be an increased risk of errors due to lack of training or the illegibility of written prescriptions.

Table showing Sig codes denoting how often to take a medication
Sig code Meaning
prn As needed
STAT immediately
2STAT Take 2 (tablets, capsules, etc.) immediately
q every
qd Once a day or every day
qh Every hourly
q4h Every four hourly
bid Twice daily
tid Three times a day
qid Four times a day
qod Every other day
1XD One time a day
AM In the morning
PM In the evening
qAM Every morning
AMPM In the morning and evening
hs At bedtime
ASAP As soon as possible
c with
UD As directed
QS Quantity sufficient
Table showing Sig codes denoting routes to take a medication
Sig code Route
ad In right ear
as In left ear
au In both ears
od In right eye
os In left eye
ou In both eyes
po By mouth
PR Per rectal
im intramuscularly
pv Per vaginally
sl sublingual
en In each nostril
Table showing other common abbreviations
Abbreviation Meaning
gtt(s) drop(s)
tab tablet
supp suppository
SS One-half
S/S Swish and swallow
pc After meals
mg milligram
ml milliliter
tbsp Tablespoon (15 ml)
tsp Teaspoon (5ml)
cap capsule
INH inhale
INJ inject
SR Sustained release
XR Extended-release
NPI National provider identifier

Examples of how to use the Sig codes and abbreviations

  1. 1 tab po daily - take one tablet by mouth daily.

  2. . 1 tsp po TID - take one teaspoon by mouth thrice daily.

  3. 1 tbsp po q6h - take one tablespoon orally every six hours.

  4. 1-2 gtts qd ad - instill 1-2 drops daily in the right ear.

  5. 1 tab pr qd prn - insert one tablet rectally daily as needed.

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