top of page

What are Sig Codes!?

Writer's picture: Katie ReigelspergerKatie Reigelsperger

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!



Recent Posts

See All

283 Comments


Tamisha Tousey
Tamisha Tousey
Dec 10, 2024

sig codes are important because it lets the pharmacy know how to label a drug

Like

Olatunde Akinyemi
Olatunde Akinyemi
Dec 08, 2024

I know a few like cap which is capsule, tab for tablet, tsp for teaspoon and tbsp for tablespoon

Like

Areeg Amseab
Dec 08, 2024

• The most commonly used sig code might be  because many medications are prescribed for daily use to ensure consistent treatment.

• Sig codes are important because they provide a universal and efficient way for healthcare providers to communicate medication instructions clearly and concisely to pharmacists, reducing errors and improving patient safety.

• Doctors use sig codes instead of full words to save time, maintain standardization, and reduce the risk of misinterpretation due to handwriting variability.

• Yes, I was already familiar with abbreviations like:

QD (every day)

BID (twice a day)

TID (three times a day)

PO (by mouth)

TAB (tablet)

Like

Hannah Harrison
Hannah Harrison
Dec 08, 2024

SIG codes are important because they tell pharmacy employees how to label drugs

Like

Zai Pen
Zai Pen
Dec 07, 2024

I knew 21 sig code now yayy

Like

©2022 by KLR Medical Certification Training School

Subscribe to our newsletter!

Thanks for subscribing!

  • Instagram
  • KLR Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube
  • Pinterest
  • TikTok
bottom of page