TABLE 1.

Physician-Written Prescriptions and Pharmacy Interpretations

Prescription	Examples of Pharmacy “Sig” Interpretations
Lipitor 10 mg tabs Take 1 tab QD Dispense 30 Indication: for high cholesterol No refills	“Take 1 tablet daily.”
	“Take 1 tablet by mouth for high cholesterol.”
	“Take one (1) tablet(s) by mouth once a day.”
	“Take 1 tablet by mouth every day for high cholesterol.”
Fosamax 5 mg tabs Take 1 tab QD Dispense 30 Indication: osteoporosis prevention Do not lie down for at least 30 min	“Take 1 tablet by mouth daily.”
	“Take one tablet by mouth every day for osteoporosis prevention. Do not lie down for at least 30 minutes after taking.”
	“Take 1 tablet every day, 30 minutes before breakfast with a glass of water. Do not lie down.”
	“Take 1 tablet every day.”
Bactrim DS tabs Take 1 tab BID Dispense 6 Indication: UTI No refills	“Take 1 tablet by mouth twice daily for UTI.”
	“Take 1 tablet by mouth twice daily for urinary tract infection.”
	“Take 1 tablet by mouth 2 times a day.”
	“Take 1 tablet twice daily for 3 days.”
Ibuprofen 200 mg tabs Take 1–2 tabs TID PRN pain Dispense 30 No refills	“Take 1 to 2 tablets by mouth as needed for pain.”
	“Take 1 to 2 tablets by mouth 3 times daily as needed for pain.”
	“Take 1 to 2 tablets by mouth as needed for pain ** Not to exceed 4 times a day.”
	“Take 1 to 2 tablets 3 times a day as needed for pain.”

Tabs indicates tablets; QD, once daily; BID, twice daily; UTI, urinary tract infection; TID, 3 times daily; PRN, as needed.