gtt
Abbreviation with 2 meanings
| Stands for | Drip (continuous infusion) |
|---|---|
| Meanings | 2 |
| Categories | Medical |
gtt has two meanings. It stands for Drip (continuous infusion) (pharmacy) or Guttae (drops) (pharmacy).
Meanings of gtt at a glance
| # | gtt stands for | Context |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Drip (continuous infusion) | Medical › Pharmacy |
| 2 | Guttae (drops) | Medical › Pharmacy |
1. Drip (continuous infusion)
Medical · Pharmacy Abbreviations
Hospital and ICU shorthand for a continuously running IV infusion, as in "heparin gtt", "insulin gtt" or "nitro gtt". The usage comes from gravity infusions whose rates were counted in drops per minute.
Example: Titrate norepinephrine gtt to MAP above 65; currently at 8 mcg/min.
IV administration sets still have drop factors such as 10, 15 or 20 drops per mL (macrodrip) and 60 drops per mL (microdrip) for gravity infusions. Because "gtt" can mean both drops and a drip, written orders should give the drug, concentration and rate in mL/h or dose per time.
2. Guttae (drops)
Medical · Pharmacy Abbreviations
Pharmacy abbreviation for drops, used for eye, ear and nasal drops and some oral liquids. "1 gtt" means one drop; "gtts" is the usual plural on labels and orders.
Example: Timolol 0.5% 1 gtt OU BID; separate from latanoprost by 5 minutes.
From Latin "gutta" (drop), plural "guttae". A drop is not a fixed volume; it depends on the dropper and liquid, so liquid medicines dosed by drops must be dispensed with their own dropper. Do not confuse with GT (gastrostomy tube) or with the ICU use of "gtt" to mean a continuous drip.
Related abbreviations
More pharmacy abbreviations
- EC – Enteric-coated
- elix – Elixir
- ER – Extended release
- ES – Extra strength
- GITS – Gastrointestinal therapeutic system
- GPO – Group purchasing organization
- HAM – High-alert medication
- HBP – High blood pressure
- HD – Hazardous drug
- HFA – Hydrofluoroalkane
- HTS – Hypertonic saline
- ILE – Intravenous lipid emulsion
See all 134 pharmacy abbreviations →
This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.