What does PO QD mean on a prescription?
PO QD means take the medication by mouth once daily.
What it stands for
PO QD comes from the Latin quaque die, meaning every day. It tells you the frequency: one dose per day.
How it looks on a real label
| Sig code | Label directions |
|---|---|
1 tab po qd | Take 1 tablet by mouth once daily |
1 tab po qd hs | Take 1 tablet by mouth once daily at bedtime |
QD appears on the ISMP list of error-prone abbreviations. Handwritten, the Q and the D can read as QID (four times daily), which is a fourfold overdose, and a trailing period on QD can look like QID as well.
Many pharmacies and hospitals now write "daily" in full for that reason. You will still meet QD on older records and on prescriptions from prescribers who have always written it, so it is worth recognising even where it is discouraged.
Related codes
| Code | Meaning |
|---|---|
PO BID | by mouth twice daily |
PO TID | by mouth three times daily |
QAM | every morning |
QHS | at bedtime |
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This page is educational and is not medical advice. Always follow the directions on your own prescription and ask your pharmacist if anything is unclear.