q72h
Medical abbreviation · Prescription
| Stands for | Every 72 hours |
|---|---|
| Categories | Medical |
q72h stands for Every 72 hours, a prescription abbreviation.
Interval of three days between doses, best known from transdermal fentanyl patches, which are changed every 72 hours. Some patients metabolize the drug faster and need patch changes every 48 hours.
Example: Fentanyl 25 mcg/h patch, change q72h; first patch applied 11/2 at 0900.
Usage notes
Also written Q72H or "every 3 days". Writing the actual date and time of the next change on the patch and the medication record helps prevent extra patches being applied. Heat from fever, heating pads or hot tubs can increase fentanyl absorption and has caused fatal overdoses.
Related abbreviations
More prescription abbreviations
- q2wk – Every 2 weeks
- q3h – Every 3 hours
- q4-6h – Every 4 to 6 hours
- q4h – Every 4 hours
- q5min – Every 5 minutes
- q6h – Every 6 hours
- q8h – Every 8 hours
- qAM – Every morning
- QD – Quaque die (every day, once daily)
- qds – Quater die sumendum (to be taken four times a day)
- qh – Quaque hora (every hour)
- QHS – Quaque hora somni (every night at bedtime)
See all 77 prescription abbreviations →
This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.