Common Medical and Scientific Abbreviations
A–B
ACTH: adrenocorticotrophic hormone
ADH: antidiuretic hormone
AIDS: acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
ALL: acute lymphocytic leukemia
ALP: alkaline phosphatase
ALT: alanine aminotransferase (SGPT, serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase)
AML: acute myelogenous leukemia
ANC: absolute neutrophil count
APL: acute promyelocytic leukemia
ARDS: adult respiratory distress syndrome
ASA: aspirin
AST: aspartate aminotransferase (SGOT, serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase)
AUC: area under the curve
BCCA: British Columbia Cancer Agency
bid: twice a day
BMT: bone marrow transplant
BSA: body surface area
BUN: blood urea nitrogen
BWI: bacteriostatic water for injection
C–D
°C: degrees Celsius
CBC: complete blood count
CD4: T-cell helper cell
CD8: T-cell suppressor cell
CHF: congestive heart failure
cm: centimetre(s)
CLL: chronic lymphocytic leukemia
CML: chronic myelogenous leukemia
CNS: central nervous system
CPS: Compendium of Pharmaceuticals and Specialties
Cr: creatinine
CrCl: creatinine clearance
CSF: cerebrospinal fluid
CT: computed tomography
CYP: cytochrome P
DEHP: di-(2-ethylexyl) phthalate
DES: diethylstilbestrol
DLCO: pulmonary diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide
DNA: deoxyribonucleic acid
D5-½NS: dextrose 5% in ½ normal saline
D5NS: dextrose 5% in normal saline
D5W: dextrose 5% in water
E–K
ECG: electrocardiogram
eg,: for example
eps: extrapyramidal symptoms
etc.: et cetera, and so on
°F: degrees Fahrenheit
FSH: follicle-stimulating hormone
FVC: forced vital capacity
g: gram(s)
GFR: glomerular filtration rate
GI: gastrointestinal
GIST: gastrointestinal stromal tumour
GnRH: gonadotropin-releasing hormone
h: hour(s)
HUS: hemolytic uremic syndrome
ie,: that is
IM: intramuscular
IP: intraperitoneal
IT: intrathecal
ITP: idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura
IU: international unit(s)
IV: intravenous
KCI: potassium chloride
kg: kilogram(s)
L–O
L: litre(s)
LDH: lactate dehydrogenase
LH: luteinizing hormone
LHRH: luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone
M: molar
m2: square metre
MAHA: microangiopathic hemolytic anemia
MAO: monoamine oxidase
mcg: microgram(s)
MDS: myelodysplastic syndrome
mEq: milliequivalent(s)
mg: milligram(s)
MgSO4: magnesium sulfate
min: minute(s)
mL: millilitre(s)
MRI: magnetic resonance imaging
MU: million units
NET: neuroendocrine tumour
NK: cell natural killer cell
NS: normal saline
NSABP: National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project
NSAID: nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug
ONJ: osteonecrosis of the jaw
P–S
PABA: para-aminobenzoic acid
PgP: p-glycoprotein
pH: power of hydrogen (scale measuring acid/alkaline nature of solution)
PNET: pancreatic neuroendocrine tumour
po: by mouth
PPB: plasma protein binding
PRES: Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (RPLS)
prn: (pro re nata) as needed
PSA: prostate-specific antigen
PVC: polyvinyl chloride
qid: four times a day
RBC: red blood cell
RNA: ribonucleic acid
RPLS: reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome (PRES)
s: second(s)
SC: subcutaneous
SGOT: serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (AST, aspartate aminotransferase)
SGPT: serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (ALT, alanine aminotransferase)
SIADH: syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone
SPF: sun protection factor
SWI: sterile water for injection (preservative-free)
T–Z
t½: half-life
TB: tuberculosis
tid: three times a day
tiw: three times a week
TLS: tumour lysis syndrome
U: unit(s)
μmol: micromole(s)
USP: United States Pharmacopoeia
VAD: venous access device
Vd: apparent volume of distribution
VIP: vasoactive intestinal peptide
VOD: veno-occlusive disease
WBC: white blood cell
Numbers
2/3D-1/3NS: 2/3 dextrose 5% in 1/3 normal saline