What are Sig Codes!?
- Katie Reigelsperger
- Feb 10, 2022
- 1 min read
If you’ve ever received a handwritten prescription and aren’t sure what all of the codes and initials mean, you’re not alone! Sig codes are a way for the doctor to communicate to the pharmacy which medication the patient should take, when it should be taken, and how much of it should be taken. Most sig codes are derived from the Latin language which can make them a bit more confusing, so at KLR Pharmacy Technician Training School, we use handy clues to remember some of the trickier ones! It is also important to note that sig codes can be written in capital or lowercase letters; either way they indicate the same meaning. Here is a guide to keep on hand of some of the most frequently used sig codes and their meanings for prescriptions!
OD = Oculus Dexter 💚( right eye)
Sig codes is really important for the pharmacist it helps them to write and understand quickly the prescription and save many times.
I believe the most commonly used SIG CODE is PO, which is by mouth. I think this is the most commonly used because most people take their medication by mouth in pill form. I think sig codes was used instead of the full word for faster work because this can make data entry easier & faster. Sig Code are important because it gives directions of when, and how to take the medication needed. I already knew most of these abbreviations because I worked as a direct support professional some examples are PO, HS, AC, etc.
Doctors use sig codes because it's easier than writing the whole sentence in a small bottle
And to provide much informations
Sig Code are really important for the pharmacist it saves them time on writing out everything they wanna say they put it in code for the technician to translate for the patient.