IVDU
Medical abbreviation · Medical Documentation
| Stands for | Intravenous drug use |
|---|---|
| Categories | Medical |
IVDU stands for Intravenous drug use, a medical documentation abbreviation.
Charting term for injecting drugs into a vein, recorded in social history because it affects risk of endocarditis, hepatitis C, HIV, skin abscesses and overdose.
Example: Hx of IVDU (heroin), last use 2 days ago; blood cultures drawn for fever.
Usage notes
Many clinicians and journals now prefer person-first language such as "people who inject drugs" (PWID) to reduce stigma. Injection drug use includes intramuscular and subcutaneous ("skin popping") routes, which carry different infection risks. Harm reduction services such as syringe programs are documented in the plan.
Related abbreviations
More medical documentation abbreviations
- Hx – History
- I-PASS – Illness severity, Patient summary, Action list, Situation awareness…
- ICE – Ideas, concerns, expectations
- Imp – Impression
- ISBAR – Identify, Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation
- IVDA – Intravenous drug abuse
- Ix – Investigations
- LOS – Length of stay
- MDM – Medical decision making
- MRN – Medical record number
- Mx – Management
- N/V/D – Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
See all 79 medical documentation abbreviations →
This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.