qds
Medical abbreviation · Prescription
| Stands for | Quater die sumendum (to be taken four times a day) |
|---|---|
| Categories | Medical |
qds stands for Quater die sumendum (to be taken four times a day), a prescription abbreviation.
UK and Commonwealth abbreviation for four doses daily, equivalent to the American QID. It is the usual way paracetamol 1 g four times daily is written on British drug charts.
Example: Paracetamol 1 g qds PRN, max 4 g in 24 hours.
Usage notes
Also written q.d.s. or QDS. In the US, "QDS" is not used, and "qd" means once daily, which is one reason the British and American systems should not be mixed. British guidance recommends writing directions in plain English where possible.
Related abbreviations
More prescription abbreviations
- q5min – Every 5 minutes
- q6h – Every 6 hours
- q72h – Every 72 hours
- q8h – Every 8 hours
- qAM – Every morning
- QD – Quaque die (every day, once daily)
- qh – Quaque hora (every hour)
- QHS – Quaque hora somni (every night at bedtime)
- QID – Quater in die (four times a day)
- qn – Quaque nocte (every night)
- QOD – Quaque altera die (every other day)
- qPM – Every evening
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.