What do QAM and QPM mean on a prescription?
QAM means every morning and QPM means every evening.
What it stands for
QAM and QPM comes from the Latin quaque ante meridiem and quaque post meridiem, meaning every before midday and every after midday. It tells you the timing: which part of the day the dose is taken.
How it looks on a real label
| Sig code | Label directions |
|---|---|
1 tab po qam | Take 1 tablet by mouth every morning |
1 tab po qpm | Take 1 tablet by mouth every evening |
1 tab po qam and 1 tab po qpm | Take 1 tablet by mouth every morning and 1 tablet by mouth every evening |
QAM and QPM say the same thing as "once daily" about how many doses, but add which half of the day. That is not decoration: some medications are dosed in the morning because they interfere with sleep, and others in the evening because they cause drowsiness.
A morning-dosed medication taken at night, or the reverse, usually still works. The patient just gets the side effect at the worst possible time, which is a common reason people stop taking something that was otherwise fine.
Related codes
| Code | Meaning |
|---|---|
HS | at bedtime |
PO QD | by mouth once daily |
AC | before meals |
PO BID | by mouth twice daily |
Translate any sig code free
Paste any sig code into the free sig code translator and get the plain-English label directions instantly. No account needed.
You can also browse the full sig code list, grouped by frequency, route, timing and form.
If you are studying for the PTCB exam or starting in a pharmacy, PharmSig has quizzes and flashcards that track which codes you keep getting wrong, with a 7-day free trial.
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.