Understanding your medical notes
Prescription abbreviations explained: what your medication label means
"Take 1 tab PO BD PRN" — prescriptions are written in a shorthand of Latin and clinical codes that few patients are ever taught. This guide decodes the dosing abbreviations, the routes, and the rest of the label, so you know exactly how and when to take each medicine.
Skip the decoding — get your prescription explained in seconds
Paste your prescription or label (or upload a photo, PDF, or Word file) and Patiently AI explains every instruction in plain English and tells you what each medicine is typically for. Free, no account, and identifying details are removed on your device first.
Explain my prescription → Your text isn't stored. Available on web, iOS & Android.What's on a prescription or medication label
- Medicine name & strength — the drug and how much is in each tablet, capsule, or dose (e.g. 5 mg).
- Dose — how much to take each time (e.g. one tablet, 10 ml).
- Frequency — how often, usually as an abbreviation (OD, BD, TDS…).
- Route — how to take it (by mouth, inhaled, etc.).
- Quantity / supply — how many you've been given (e.g. 28 tablets).
- Special instructions — such as "with food", "before bed", or "as needed".
Dosing frequency abbreviations
| Abbreviation | What it means |
|---|---|
| OD | Once a day |
| BD | Twice a day |
| TDS | Three times a day |
| QDS | Four times a day |
| ON / nocte | At night |
| OM / mané | In the morning |
| PRN | As needed (only when required) |
| stat | Immediately (a one-off dose now) |
Route abbreviations (how to take it)
| Abbreviation | What it means |
|---|---|
| PO | By mouth (swallowed) |
| SL | Under the tongue (sublingual) |
| PR | By rectum |
| SC | Under the skin (injection) |
| IM | Into a muscle (injection) |
| IV | Into a vein |
| INH / NEB | Inhaled / nebulised |
| TOP | Applied to the skin (topical) |
Seeing the name of a drug you don't recognise? Patiently AI's medication checker identifies medicines mentioned and explains what they're typically used for — or paste the whole prescription in for a plain-English breakdown.
What to check before you take a new medicine
- The dose and frequency — exactly how much, and how many times a day.
- Any timing instructions — with food, on an empty stomach, before bed.
- How long to take it — a fixed course, or ongoing?
- What it's for — so you understand why you're taking it.
- Anything to avoid — other medicines, alcohol, or activities.
Not sure how to take it?
Patiently AI turns "Amoxicillin 500 mg, 1 cap PO TDS for 7/7" into "Take one 500 mg amoxicillin capsule by mouth three times a day for seven days." Clear, for every line.
Try it with your own prescription → Paste, upload, or photograph your label.Questions to ask your pharmacist or doctor
- What is this medicine for, and how long should I take it?
- What time of day should I take it, and does food matter?
- What are the common side effects, and what should I do if I get them?
- What should I do if I miss a dose?
- Does it interact with my other medicines, supplements, or alcohol?
Patiently AI generates personalised "Questions for your doctor" automatically — a quick way to cover the essentials before you start a new medicine.
Frequently asked questions
What does PRN mean on a prescription?
PRN is Latin ("pro re nata") for "as needed". You take the medicine only when you need it — for example, a painkiller PRN means take it when you have pain, up to the maximum dose stated. The label should say how much and how often.
What do OD, BD, TDS and QDS mean?
They're Latin dosing frequencies: OD = once a day, BD = twice a day, TDS = three times a day, QDS = four times a day. You may also see ON/nocte (at night) and OM/mané (in the morning). If the timing is unclear, your pharmacist can explain.
What does PO mean on a medication label?
PO ("per os") is Latin for "by mouth" — the medicine is swallowed. Other routes include PR (by rectum), SC (under the skin), IM (into a muscle), IV (into a vein), and INH/NEB (inhaled or nebulised).
What does "stat" mean on a prescription?
"Stat" means immediately — a one-off dose to take straight away. It's often used for the first dose of a new medicine before the regular schedule begins.
Can Patiently AI explain my prescription?
Yes. Paste the prescription or label text — or upload a photo, PDF, or Word file — and Patiently AI explains each instruction in plain English, identifies the medications with what they're typically used for, and suggests questions to ask. It's free, needs no account, and removes identifying details on your device before processing.