PO OD in medical terms means oral administration once daily.
Understanding the Abbreviations
- PO: This abbreviation stands for per os, Latin for "by mouth" or "orally." It indicates that the medication should be taken orally. [Source: Multiple sources including https://mn.gov/boards/assets/prescription%20abbreviations_tcm21-26882.pdf, https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Abbreviations-po-orally-stat-in-one-dose-bd-twice-daily-IM_fig3_290631778, and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_medical_abbreviations:_Latin_abbreviations]
- OD: This abbreviation stands for once daily. It specifies the frequency of medication intake. [Source: https://mn.gov/boards/assets/prescription%20abbreviations_tcm21-26882.pdf, https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Abbreviations-po-orally-stat-in-one-dose-bd-twice-daily-IM_fig3_290631778, https://thedoctorsroom.quora.com/What-are-OD-BD-and-SOS-in-medical-terms, and https://www.quora.com/What-are-OD-BD-and-SOS-in-medical-terms]
Example
A prescription might read: "Take one tablet PO OD." This instruction indicates that the patient should take one tablet by mouth once a day.
Importance of Clarity in Prescriptions
Using clear and unambiguous abbreviations is crucial to prevent medication errors. While OD is widely understood, variations exist, and some abbreviations may be open to misinterpretation. Therefore, confirming the meaning of any abbreviation with your doctor or pharmacist is always advisable.
