QOD
Medical abbreviation · Prescription
| Stands for | Quaque altera die (every other day) |
|---|---|
| Categories | Medical |
QOD stands for Quaque altera die (every other day), a prescription abbreviation.
Instruction to give a dose on alternate days, one of the forms banned on The Joint Commission "Do Not Use" list. A poorly written "o" can make it look like QD (daily) or QID (four times daily), doubling or octupling the intended amount.
Example: The patient's warfarin had been ordered QOD, so the transcription error went unnoticed for a week.
Usage notes
Also written Q.O.D., q.o.d. or qod. The Joint Commission requires "every other day" to be written out instead. Some clinicians prefer listing actual days ("Monday, Wednesday, Friday" or "on odd-numbered dates"), which is even clearer for patients managing pill boxes at home.
Related abbreviations
More prescription abbreviations
- 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)
- QID – Quater in die (four times a day)
- qn – Quaque nocte (every night)
- qPM – Every evening
- qty – Quantity
- qwk – Every week (once weekly)
- Rf – Refills
- Rx – Recipe (take; prescription)
- s.o.s. – Si opus sit (if necessary)
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.