tab

Medical abbreviation · Pharmacy

tab stands for Tablet, a pharmacy abbreviation.

Solid oral dosage form made by compressing powdered drug with binders, fillers and disintegrants. Tablets may be scored for splitting, film-coated for easier swallowing, chewable, effervescent or designed for modified release.

Example: Sig: 1 tab PO daily; may split the scored tab in half if dizzy.

Usage notes

Plural "tabs"; also written "T" in pharmacy sig codes ("1T PO QD"). Only tablets with a functional score line should be split, and extended-release tablets usually must not be split unless the label permits it. Compressed tablets were mass-produced from the late 19th century, replacing hand-rolled pills.

Related abbreviations

More pharmacy abbreviations

• SS – Single strength
• ST – Step therapy
• supp – Suppository
• susp – Suspension
• SWFI – Sterile water for injection
• syr – Syrup
• TNA – Total nutrient admixture
• TPN – Total parenteral nutrition
• U&C – Usual and customary price
• UD – Unit dose
• ung – Unguentum (ointment)
• USP – United States Pharmacopeia

See all 134 pharmacy abbreviations →

Edited by the AbbreviationList.com team. Spotted an error or a missing meaning? Contact us.

This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.