When managing our health, understanding our doctor’s instructions is critical. One of the most common forms of doctor’s instructions is a prescription for medicine. These prescriptions may contain medical terms and abbreviations such as OD, BD, TDS, SOS and HS, and these abbreviations could perplex you.
And misunderstanding these terms can lead to miss or incorrect doses that can affect your treatment. So, it’s crucial to understand the abbreviations used in prescriptions.
This article will explore some important medical terms used in a doctor’s medicine prescription. Let’s start reading!
In medicine dose, “OD” stands for “Once a Day.”
Doctors and pharmacists often use this common abbreviation to state the dose frequency. When a doctor prescribes medicine with instructions OD, you have to take it once a day at the same time.
This is often for the medicines you must take for an extended period, such as blood pressure. Consistent use of medication can help manage these conditions and prevent serious complications.
There are many medications prescribed for OD, including:
● Lisinopril: a medication used to treat high blood pressure.
● Metformin: a medication used to treat type 2 diabetes.
● Atorvastatin: a medication used to lower cholesterol levels.
● Sertraline: a medication used to treat depression and anxiety.
● Le’vothyroxine: a medication used to treat hypothyroidism.
In medical terms, BD is an abbreviation that means “Twice a Day.” Doctors and pharmacists use it to state the frequency at which you should take medicine.
A Medicine prescribed with the instruction “BD” means you should take it twice a day at the same time.
BD is for situations where you should take medicine twice daily to maintain a stable medicine level in your blood. This is often the case for medicines for infections, pain, or other conditions needing frequent dosing.
There are many medications prescribed with BD, including:
● Amoxicillin: a medicine to treat bacterial infections.
● Ibuprofen: a medicine to treat pain and inflammation.
● Metoclopramide: a medicine to treat vomiting.
● Omeprazole: a medicine to treat stomach ulcers.
In medical terms, TDS is an abbreviation that means “Three Times a Day.”
Medicines prescribed with the instruction of “TDS” means that you must take them three times a day at the same time.
TDS is often used in situations where you should take medicines three times per day to maintain stable blood levels of the medicine. This is for medicines used to treat infections or other conditions that need frequent dosing.
Some medicines prescribed with TDS are;
● Ciprofloxacin: a medicine to treat bacterial infections.
● Paracetamol: a medicine to treat pain and fever.
● Doxycycline: a medicine to treat bacterial infections and acne.
● Dicloxacillin: a medicine to treat bacterial infections.
In medical perception, SOS means “As Needed.”
Doctors and pharmacists often use it to state that you should take medicine only when or as needed. SOS is often used when you don’t need to take medicine daily but only when certain symptoms arise.
It is common for drugs that treat pain, allergies, or other illnesses with irregular symptoms.
There are many medications prescribed with SOS, including:
● Antihistamines: medicine used to treat allergies.
● Painkillers: medicine used to treat pain.
● Asthma inhalers: medicine used to relieve asthma symptoms.
● Nitroglycerin: medicine used to treat angina (chest pain).
● Albuterol: a medicine used to treat breathing problems.
In medicine dose, HS is an abbreviation that means “At Bedtime.”
Doctors and pharmacists use it to state the timing of medication administration. You should take medicines prescribed with the instruction “HS” at night before bed.
HS is often used when medicines are best taken at night to achieve the desired medical effect. This is the case for medicines used to treat sleeping disorders, pain, or other conditions that may cause discomfort during the night.
There are many medications prescribed with HS, including:
● Zolpidem: a medicine used to treat insomnia (sleeping disorders).
● Tramadol: a medicine used to treat pain.
● Gabapentin: a medicine used to treat nerve pain.
● Doxepin: a medicine used to treat depression.
● Melatonin: a medicine used to regulate sleep-wake cycles.
When a doctor prescribes medicine, they may use medical terms that can be confusing. But it’s important to understand these terms so you can take your medicines in the correct way. Let’s have a quick peek at the key points of the above discussion;
● OD: Once a Day. You must take medicine once a day at the same time.
● BD: Twice a Day. You must take medicine two times a day at the same time.
● TDS: Three Times a Day. You must take medicine three times a day at regular intervals.
● SOS: As Needed. You must take medicine only when you need it.
● HS: At Bedtime. You must take medicine at night before bed.
I hope you found this article helpful in understanding some medical terms often used in prescriptions. Understanding these terms can allow your health and treatment to a better way.
Thanks for reading, and I wish you good health and luck in your health journey!
If You are having any doubt then you can book a free online consultancy directly with me, and I will surely guide you. I am Dr. Arshad – MBBS, MRCS ( England ). Just let me know and I will do everything possible to solve your doubts or will guide you.
