Drug administration per day

Question

Hello teachers,Cefotaxim was administered 2x per day.can I right 2x for 2 times per day? please help.smdl

JohnParis · Accepted Answer

Dear stdl,

This is one of those questions that should be easily answered but, unfortunately, is not. Please try to follow my reasoning.

Whether or not you may write Cefotaxim two times a day as Cefotaxim 2x per day depends upon who will be reading what you write.

If I were to see Cefotaxim 2 x per day, I would immediately understand it to mean Cefotaxim 2 times per day.

If someone who was not accustomed to seeing Cefotaxim two times per day written as Cefotaxim 2 x day were to read what you wrote and did not know what it meant, then you may wish to revert to the formal English clinical designation of Cefotaxim 2/d (Cefotaxim twice a day). If the same person were accustomed to seeing only the Latin designation, then you would write Cefotaxim BD ( Twice a Day, from the Latin: bis die).

Now, if you are giving instructions to someone to take a dose of Cefotaxim two times during one day, I would certainly understand Cefotaxim 2 x day to mean as such. However, if someone who was not accustomed to seeing Cefotaxim 2 x day stand for "take a dose of Cefotaxim two times in one day" you may wish to revert to the formal English clinical designation of Cefotaxim bid (Cefotaxim two times in a day). If the same person were accustomed to seeing only the Latin designation, then you would write Cefotaxim BID ( Twice in one Day: from the Latin "bis in die")

Frankly, I find all of these definitions and abbreviations to be annoying and - most importantly - potentially dangerous. Yet, this is the current state of affairs and we need to work with them until a standardized methodology is agreed upon and accepted worldwide.

I hope I have answered your question rather than confuse you further.

Sincerely,

John

Englishmann · Answer

<img class='emoticon' style='Width:19px;Height:19px;' data-delaysrc='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/98.gif' src='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/98.gif' alt='Emotion: rofl'/>      ..........and I thought I heard it all...........

JohnParis · Answer

What?

Did I write something that's incorrect?

Is there something I'm missing?

Sorry - but I don't get the joke.

Enlighten me - please!

Englishmann · Answer

No, no, excuse me for this confusion. I thought I was writing in a different topic.

My sincere apologies.

Shivaji madali · Answer

Thanks teacher John. I only want if 2x is acceptable in medical writing.., smdl

JohnParis · Answer

You're welcome - as I said above - It will depend upon who you are writing to

V S Rao · Answer

Hi Smdl,

studentmdlCefotaxim was administered 2x per day.

Never write as 2x per day. You need to elaborate 2x as 2 times. You also have to mention the period of treatment.

For example;

cefotaxim was administered 2 times per day for .... days.

Regards,

Sri

Shivaji madali · Answer

Thanks teachers.., smdl

Anonymous · Answer

Malcolm Patient is on cefotaxim x2 daily is okay. Patient is on cefotaxim bd means the same.

nocte..at night
mane..in the morning
bd..twice a day
tds.. three times a day
qid... four times a day
prn...when necessary (as required).
stat...immediately

Anonymous · Answer

Hello there

P.R.N (Pro Re Nata)means as needed, usually used for medications used for long term e.g. Asthmatics use Salbutamol inhalers p.r.n.

S.O.S (Si Opus Sit) means as required, and usually used for medications to relieve transient illnesses e.g take two tablets of paracetamol (Acetaminophen) s.o.s

Dr Nagm

Drug administration per day

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

Related Questions