Page 13 - A Guide to Dosage Form 1

In prescriptions, Latin abbreviations are usually used as a method of communication between the
prescribers (doctors) and dispensers (pharmacists). It is hence very important for pharmacists to know
these abbreviations and understand the instructions given by prescribers. This communication method
has shown to be effective and useful in the hectic day-to-day life as medical practitioners. To simplified
understanding, the terms can be divided into different categories:

To describe quantity
Abbreviations Term or phrase Meaning
gtt. Guttæ drops
mitt. Mitte Send
q.s quantum sufficiat Sufficiently

To describe dosage forms (remedies)
Abbreviations Term or phrase Meaning
auristill. Auristillæ Ear drops
Caps. Capsula Capsule
Chart. Charta Powder
Crem. Cremor Cream
Emul. Emulsio Emulsion
Enem. Enema Enema
Garg. Gargarisma Gargle
Gelat. Gelatina Jelly
Inhal. Inhalation Inhalation
Inj. Injection Injection
Insuff. insufflatio Insufflation
Linct. Linctus Linctus
Lin. Linimentum Liniment
Liq. Liquor Solution
Lot. Lotio Lotion
m., mist. Mistura Mixture
Neb. Nebula Spray solution
Oculent. Oculentum Eye ointment
Past. Pasta Paste
Pastill. Pastilles Pastille
Pess. Pessus Pessary
Pigm. Pigmentum Paint
Pil Pilula Pill
Pulv. Pulvis Powder
Solv. Solvellæ Solution tablets
Suppos. / Supp. Suppositorium Suppository
Syr. Syrupus Syrup
Tab. Tabella Tablet
Troch. Trochiscus Lozenge
Ung. Unguentum Ointment
Vap Vapour Inhalation
Vitrell. Vitrella Crushable glass capsule