IC+ Sig Codes - PharmAssist

About Smart Sigs

Smart sigs are a combination of different sig codes that automatically convert to the correct prescription directions. They improve quality and efficiency when entering prescriptions and ensure proper translation to the patient's preferred language. Use smart sigs when the patient is taking 1 tablet or capsule, using 1 spray or inhalation, or applying 1 application at set frequencies throughout the day.

Commonly Used Smart Sig Codes

Important: Smart sigs can be used for all dosage forms. IC+ will automatically convert the dosage form displayed in the directions based on the drug that has been entered.

Dosage Form	Example Prescribed Directions	Enter
Tablet	Take 1 tablet by mouth every day	+QD
Capsule	Take 1 capsule by mouth every day	+QD
Liquid	Take 5 mL by mouth every day	+QD
Tablet	Take 1 tablet by mouth twice a day	+BID
Capsule	Take 1 capsule by mouth twice a day	+BID
Liquid	Take 5 mL by mouth twice a day	+BID
Tablet/Capsule	Take 1 tablet by mouth three times a day	+TID
Tablet/Capsule	Take 1 tablet by mouth three times a day as needed	+TID PRN
Tablet/Capsule	Take 1 tablet by mouth four times a day	+QID
Tablet/Capsule	Take 1 tablet by mouth four times a day as needed for nausea	+QID PRN N
Tablet/Capsule	Take 1 tablet by mouth every morning	+QAM
Tablet/Capsule	Take 1 tablet by mouth every night at bedtime	+QHS
Tablet/Capsule	Take 1 tablet by mouth every night at bedtime as needed for pain	+QHS PRN P
Topical	Apply to the affected area daily	+QD
Topical	Apply to the affected area four times a day as needed	+QID PRN
Inhalation	Take 1 puff by mouth twice a day	+BID
Spray	Use one spray in each nostril twice a day	+BID
Suppositories	Unwrap and insert 1 suppository every day as needed	+QD PRN

Remember: When you cannot use a smart sig (e.g., for multiple units like "Take 2 tablets"), use the full sig code format: TK 2 TS PO BID

Complete SIG Code Reference

Quantity/Action Codes

Code	Meaning	Example Usage
ADM	Administer	ADM 5 ML PO QD (Administer 5 ml by mouth daily)
AP	Apply	AP TOP BID (Apply topically twice daily)
APP	Apply	APP AA TOP TID (Apply to affected area topically three times daily)
CH	Chew	CH 2 TS PO QID PRN (Chew 2 tablets by mouth 4 times daily as needed)
DSV	Dissolve	DSV 1 TS PO BID (Dissolve 1 tablet by mouth twice daily)
G	Give	G 1 TS PO QD (Give 1 tablet by mouth daily)
I	Insert	I 1 SU V QHS (Insert 1 suppository vaginally at bedtime)
INH	Inhale	INH 2 PF PO QID PRN (Inhale 2 puffs by mouth 4 times daily as needed)
INJ	Inject	INJ 10 U SC QAM (Inject 10 units subcutaneously every morning)
INL	Inhale	INL 1 PF ITL BID (Inhale 1 puff into the lungs twice daily)
INS	Instill	INS 2 GT OU BID (Instill 2 drops in both eyes twice daily)
INT	Instill	INT 1 GT AEA QHS (Instill 1 drop in affected ear at bedtime)
PL	Place	PL 1 PC TOP Q72H (Place 1 patch topically every 72 hours)
TK	Take	TK 2 TS PO BID (Take 2 tablets by mouth twice daily)
US	Use	US 1 SP NAS BID (Use 1 spray in nose twice daily)

Dosage Form Codes

Code	Meaning	Example Usage
50MG	50mg	TK 50MG PO QD
5ML	5ml	TK 5ML PO TID
AMP	Ampule	US 1 AMP NEB QID
C	Capsule	TK 1 C PO QD
CAP	Take one capsule every _ hours	CAP Q8H (Take one capsule every 8 hours)
CFL	Capful	TK 1 CFL PO QHS
CP	Capsule(s)	TK 2 CP PO BID
CS	Capsules	TK 2 CS PO TID
DPS	Droppersful	TK 2 DPS PO BID
DRP	Dropperful	TK 1 DRP PO TID
GT	Drop(s)	INS 2 GT OU QHS
GTS	Drops	INS 3 GTS AU BID
GTT	Drop	INS 1 GTT OD TID
LOZ	Lozenge	DSV 1 LOZ PO Q4H PRN
LQ	Liquid	TK 10 ML LQ PO BID
MCG	Micrograms	INJ 100 MCG SC QWK
MEQ	Milliequivalents	TK 20 MEQ PO BID
MG	Milligrams	TK 500 MG PO QD
ML	Milliliter(s)	TK 5 ML PO TID
MLS	Milliliters	TK 10 MLS PO QD
PA	Patch	PL 1 PA TOP QD
PC	Patch	PL 1 PC TOP QD
PF	Puff(s)	INH 2 PF PO BID
PFS	Puffs	INH 3 PFS PO QID
SP	Spray(s)	US 1 SP NAS BID
SPS	Suppositories	INS 2 SPS R QHS
SS	One-half	TK SS TS PO BID
SU	Suppository	INS 1 SU R QHS PRN
SUP	Suppository	I 1 SUP V QHS
T	Tablet	TK 1 T PO QD
TAB	Take one tablet every _ hours	TAB Q6H (Take one tablet every 6 hours)
TBL	Tablespoonful	TK 1 TBL PO TID
TEA	Teaspoonful	TK 1 TEA PO QID
TES	Teaspoonsful	TK 2 TES PO BID
TLS	Tablespoonsful	TK 2 TLS PO QD
TS	Tablet(s)	TK 1 TS PO QD
U	Unit(s)	INJ 20 U SC QAM
UNG	Ointment	AP UNG AA TOP BID
UNI	Units	INJ 10 UNI SC QAM
WAF	Wafer	TK 1 WAF PO QHS

Route Codes

Code	Meaning	Example Usage
AB	Both	INS 2 GT AB QID
ABD	Abdominal	AP ABD TOP QD
AD	Right ear	INS 3 GT AD TID
AEA	In affected ear(s)	INS 4 GT AEA BID
AEY	In affected eye(s)	INS 1 GT AEY TID
AS	Left ear	INS 3 GT AS TID
AU	Both ears	INS 5 GT AU BID
EC	Each cheek	AP EC TOP BID
EXT	Externally	AP EXT TOP BID
GTB	G-tube	G 5 ML GTB QID
IEN	In each nostril	US 1 SP IEN BID
IM	Intramuscular	INJ 1 ML IM Q4WK
ITL	Into the lungs	INL 2 PF ITL BID
ITM	In the morning	TK 1 TS PO ITM
IVB	Insert one applicatorful vaginally at bedtime	IVB QD (Insert one applicatorful vaginally at bedtime daily)
IVS	Insert one suppository vaginally at bedtime	IVS QD (Insert one suppository vaginally at bedtime daily)
JTB	J-tube	G 10 ML JTB TID
LEA	In the left ear	INS 3 GT LEA BID
LEY	In the left eye	INS 2 GT LEY TID
MUS	Into upper arm or thigh muscle	INJ 1 ML MUS ONCE
NAS	Nasal/In nose	US 2 SP NAS BID
NEB	Nebulizer	US 1 AMP NEB QID
NGTB	NG-tube	G 15 ML NGTB Q6H
NLY	Nasally	US 2 SP NLY BID
NOS	Nostril	US 1 SP NOS BID
NPO	Nothing by mouth	NPO AFTER MIDNIGHT
OD	Right eye	INS 2 GT OD TID
OES	On an empty stomach	TK 1 TS PO QD OES
ONS	In one nostril	US 1 SP ONS BID
OS	Left eye	INS 2 GT OS TID
OU	Both eyes	INS 1 GT OU BID
PO	By mouth	TK 1 TS PO QD
R	Rectally	INS 1 SU R QHS PRN
REC	Rectally	I 1 SUP REC QHS
SC	Subcutaneous	INJ 0.5 ML SC QWK
SL	Sublingual (under tongue)	PL 1 TS SL PRN
TOP	Topically	AP TOP BID
V	Vaginally	INS 1 SU V QHS
VA	Vaginal	I 1 SUP VA QHS
VAG	In the vagina	I 1 SUP VAG QHS

Frequency Codes

Code	Meaning	Example Usage
BF10	Twice daily for 10 days	TK 1 TS PO BF10
BF5	Twice daily for 5 days	TK 1 TS PO BF5
BID	Twice daily	TK 1 TS PO BID
BIM	Twice monthly	INJ 0.5 ML SC BIM
BIW	Twice a week	TK 1 TS PO BIW
D	Daily	TK 1 TS PO D
DID	Two or three times daily for weight loss	TK 1 TS PO DID
FID	Five times daily	TK 1 TS PO FID
FRI	Friday	TK 1 TS PO FRI
MON	Monday	TK 1 TS PO MON
MWF	Monday Wednesday Friday	TK 1 TS PO MWF
Q	Every	TK 1 TS PO Q 8H
Q12H	Every 12 hours	TK 1 TS PO Q12H
Q2WK	Every 2 weeks	INJ 1 ML IM Q2WK
Q3M	Every 3 months	INJ 1 ML IM Q3M
Q4H	Every 4 hours	TK 1 TS PO Q4H
Q4WK	Every 4 weeks	INJ 1 ML IM Q4WK
Q6H	Every 6 hours	TK 1 TS PO Q6H
Q72H	Every 72 hours	PL 1 PC TOP Q72H
Q8H	Every 8 hours	TK 1 TS PO Q8H
QAFT	Every afternoon	TK 1 TS PO QAFT
QAM	Every morning	TK 2 TS PO QAM
QD	Every day / Once daily	TK 1 TS PO QD
QD10	Every day for 10 days	TK 1 TS PO QD10
QD5	Every day for 5 days	TK 1 TS PO QD5
QDW	4 days a week	TK 1 TS PO QDW
QHS	At bedtime	TK 1 TS PO QHS
QI10	Four times daily for 10 days	TK 1 TS PO QI10
QI5	Four times daily for 5 days	TK 1 TS PO QI5
QID	Four times daily	TK 1 TS PO QID
QIW	Four days a week	TK 1 TS PO QIW
QM	Every month	TK 1 TS PO QM
QOD	Every other day	TK 1 TS PO QOD
QOM	Every other month	INJ 1 ML SC QOM
QOW	Every other week	INJ 0.5 ML SC QOW
QPM	Every evening	TK 1 TS PO QPM
QW	One day a week	TK 1 TS PO QW
QWK	Every week / Once weekly	INJ 0.5 ML SC QWK
SAT	Saturday	TK 1 TS PO SAT
SND	Sunday	TK 1 TS PO SND
TDW	3 days a week	TK 1 TS PO TDW
TF10	Three times daily for 10 days	TK 1 TS PO TF10
TF5	Three times daily for 5 days	TK 1 TS PO TF5
THUR	Thursday	TK 1 TS PO THUR
TID	Three times daily	TK 1 TS PO TID
TIW	Three days a week	TK 1 TS PO TIW
TUE	Tuesday	TK 1 TS PO TUE
WED	Wednesday	TK 1 TS PO WED
XD	Times daily	TK 1 TS PO 3 XD

Timing Codes

Code	Meaning	Example Usage
30AC	30 minutes before meals	TK 1 TS PO QD 30AC BF
AC	Before meals	TK 1 TS PO TID AC
AIDO	After initial dose	TK 1 TS PO AIDO
AND	And	TK 2 TS QAM AND 1 TS QPM
AOS	At onset	US 1 SP NAS AOS
ATN	At night	TK 1 TS PO ATN
B	Before	TK 1 TS PO B MEAL
BED	Bedtime	TK 2 TS PO BED
BF	Before breakfast	TK 1 TS PO QD BF
BRE	Breakfast	TK 1 TS PO BRE
DAPP	Dental appointment	TK 2 TS PO 1H B DAPP
DAYS	Days	TK 1 TS PO QD FOR 7 DAYS
EVE	Evening	TK 1 TS PO EVE
H	Hours	TK 1 TS PO Q 6 H
HS	At bedtime	TK 2 TS PO HS
ITM	In the morning	TK 1 TS PO ITM
M	Month	TK 1 TS PO QD FOR 1 M
MEAL	Meal	TK 1 TS PO WITH MEAL
MIN	Minutes	TK 1 TS PO 30 MIN AC
NEXT	Next	TK 2 TS QAM NEXT 3 DAYS
NTS	Nights	TK 1 TS PO QHS FOR 7 NTS
OC	1 daily for a full cycle. Stop for 1 week then repeat	TK 1 TS PO OC
ONCE	Once	TK 2 TS PO ONCE
PC	After meals	TK 1 TS PO TID PC
PER	Per	TK 1 TS PO 3 TIMES PER DAY
PTA	Prior to appointment	TK 2 TS PO 1H PTA
THEN	Then	TK 2 TS NOW THEN 1 TS QD
WA	While awake	TK 1 TS PO Q4H WA
WF	With food	TK 2 TS PO BID WF
WK	Week	TK 1 TS PO QD FOR 2 WK
WKS	Weeks	TK 1 TS PO QD FOR 4 WKS
WM	With meals	TK 1 TS PO TID WM

PRN (As Needed) Indicators

Code	Meaning	Example Usage
BG	Blood glucose	INJ 2 U SC PRN BG > 200
BM	Bowel movement	TK 1 TS PO QD PRN BM
BP	Blood pressure	TK 1 TS PO QD PRN BP
BS	Blood sugar	INJ 4 U SC PRN BS > 180
BTP	Breakthrough pain	TK 1 TS PO Q4H PRN BTP
CNC	Cough and congestion	TK 10 ML PO Q4H PRN CNC
COG	Congestion	US 1 SP NAS BID PRN COG
COU	For cough	TK 10 ML PO Q6H PRN COU
CSTP	Constipation	TK 2 TS PO QD PRN CSTP
DBP	Diastolic blood pressure	TK 1 TS PO PRN DBP > 90
DH	Diarrhea	TK 2 TS PO PRN DH
FEV	As needed for fever	TK 2 TS PO Q6H PRN FEV
FEVP	As needed for fever and pain	TK 2 TS PO Q4H PRN FEVP
FGT	For fever greater than	TK 2 TS PO Q6H PRN FGT 100.4
HA	Headache	TK 2 TS PO Q4H PRN HA
HRA	Heart rate	TK 1 TS PO PRN HRA > 100
MSP	Muscle spasms	TK 1 TS PO TID PRN MSP
N	For nausea	TK 1 TS PO Q6H PRN N
NER	For nerves	TK 1 TS PO TID PRN NER
NV	For nausea and vomiting	TK 1 TS PO Q8H PRN NV
P	For pain	TK 1 TS PO Q4H PRN P
PRA	As needed for anxiety	TK 1 TS PO TID PRN PRA
PRF	As needed for	TK 1 TS PO Q6H PRF PAIN
PRN	As needed	TK 1 TS PO Q6H PRN
PRN A	As needed for anxiety	TK 1 TS PO TID PRN A
PRN C	As needed for cough	TK 10 ML PO Q4H PRN C
PRN F	As needed for fever	TK 2 TS PO Q6H PRN F
PRN H	As needed for headache	TK 2 TS PO Q4H PRN H
PRN I	As needed for itching	AP TOP TID PRN I
PRN N	As needed for nausea	TK 1 TS PO Q6H PRN N
PRN P	As needed for pain	TK 1 TS PO Q4H PRN P
PRN SOB	As needed for shortness of breath	INH 2 PF PO Q4H PRN SOB
PRN SZ	As needed for seizure	US 1 SP NAS PRN SZ
SBP	Systolic blood pressure	TK 1 TS PO PRN SBP > 140
SLP	Sleep	TK 1 TS PO QHS PRN SLP
SOB	Shortness of breath	INH 2 PF PO Q4H PRN SOB
VOM	Vomiting	TK 1 TS PO Q8H PRN VOM
WHZ	Wheezing	INH 2 PF PO Q4H PRN WHZ

Additional Instructions

Code	Meaning	Example Usage
AA	Affected area	AP AA TOP BID
ALT	Alternate	US 1 SP ALT NOS QD
AMT	Amount	TK PRESCRIBED AMT PO BID
APL	Applicatorful	I 1 APL V QHS
APR	Apply to rash	APR TOP BID
APS	Applicatorsful	I 2 APS V QD
ASD	Apply sparingly with each diaper change	ASD TOP PRN
ATC	Around the clock	TK 1 TS PO Q6H ATC
ATL	Apply 1 thin layer	ATL AA TOP BID
AVN	Use 1 ampule via nebulizer	AVN QID
CNTS	Contents of 1 packet	MX CNTS IN WATER PO QD
CONS	Consecutive	TK 1 TS PO QD FOR 5 CONS DAYS
CONT	Continue	TK 1 TS PO BID CONT
CPS	Take _ capsules every _ hours	CPS 2 Q8H (Take 2 capsules every 8 hours)
CRU	Crush	CRU 1 TS AND MX WITH FOOD
CSW	Chew and swallow	CSW 2 TS PO BID
DIS	Dissolve	DIS 1 TS PO QD
DIW	Dissolve _ tablets in water	DIW 2 PO BID
DNC	Take four capsules by mouth 1 hour before dental appointment	DNC (Take four capsules 1 hour before dental appointment)
DNT	Take four tablets by mouth 1 hour before dental appointment	DNT (Take four tablets 1 hour before dental appointment)
DR	Discard remainder	TK 1 TS PO Q6H FOR 10 DAYS THEN DR
DRK	Drink	DRK ENTIRE CONTENT PO QD
DTI	Double or triple for illness	TK 1 TS PO BID DTI
EACH	Each	INS 2 GT EACH EYE BID
EXP	Expectorate	US 5 ML SWR AND EXP QID
FIVE	Five	TK FIVE TS PO QD
FOR	For	TK 1 TS PO QD FOR 7 DAYS
FOUR	Four	TK FOUR TS PO BID
FPD	Follow package directions	FPD
GEF	Generic equivalent for	GEF BRAND_NAME
GEQ	Generic equivalent to	GEQ BRAND_NAME
GF	Generic for	GF BRAND_NAME
GSM	Generic substitution made	GSM
IMM	Immediately	TK 2 TS PO IMM
IN	In	INS 2 GT IN EACH EYE BID
INTO	Into	INS 1 GT INTO EYE BID
MCD	May cause drowsiness	TK 1 TS PO QHS MCD
MDD	Maximum daily dose is	TK 1 TS PO TID PRN MDD 6 TS
MX	Mix	MX 1 SCOOP IN WATER PO BID
MXC	Mix 1 capful	MXC IN WATER PO QD
MXG	Mix granules in 15 to 30 ml of room temperature tap water	MXG PO QD
NN	If needed	TK 1 TS PO QHS NN
NTE	Not to exceed	TK 1-2 TS PO Q4H PRN NTE 8 TS/DAY
ONE	One	TK ONE TS PO QD
OR	Or	TK 1 OR 2 TS PO Q4H PRN
PAX	Take 2 nirmatrelvir tablets and 1 ritonavir tablet together by mouth	PAX BID FOR 5 DAYS
PLD	Take 1 nirmatrelvir tablet and 1 ritonavir tablet together by mouth	PLD BID FOR 5 DAYS
PPC	Provide PrEP consult as directed	PPC
PRO	Procedure	TK 2 TS PO 1H B PRO
RF	Refrigerate	SW AND RF
RM	Rinse mouth	INH 2 PF PO BID THEN RM
RVN	Use 1 respule via nebulizer	RVN QID
SAI	See attached instruction sheet	TK 1 TS PO UD SAI
SAS	Swish and swallow	SAS 5 ML PO QID
SIX	Six	TK SIX TS PO QD
SML	Small	AP SML AMT AA TOP BID
SOA	Soak	SOA FOOT IN SOLUTION FOR 15 MIN BID
SPC	Inhale contents of 1 capsule once daily using handihaler	SPC QAM
SPR	Spray	SPR 2 TIMES NAS BID
SPRY	Sprayer	US 1 SPRY NAS BID
SW	Shake liquid well	SW BEFORE EACH USE
SWR	Shake well and refrigerate	SWR AFTER OPENING
TAT	Until all taken	TK 1 TS PO QID TAT
TAY	Today	TK 2 TS PO TAY
TNT	One tablet under tongue as needed for chest pain	TNT Q5M PRN NTE 3 IN 15 MIN
TW	One tablet in water	DIS TW PO QD
TWO	Two	TK TWO TS PO BID
UD	As directed	TK 1 TS PO UD
UNN	Using the device blow (11mg) into each nostril at onset of migraine	UNN PRN
UNT	Under the tongue	PL 1 TS UNT PRN
UNW	Unwrap	UNW AND I 1 SU R QHS
UTD	As directed	US UTD
VAC	Vaccine	INJ VAC IM ONCE
VVN	Use 1 vial via nebulizer	VVN QID
WAC	With a meal	TK 1 TS PO QD WAC
WC	With meals	TK 1 TS PO TID WC
WFJ	With fruit juice	TK 1 TS PO QD WFJ
WGLW	With a glass of water	TK 1 TS PO QD WGLW
WGD	Water in a glass cup and drink entire content every 12 hours	MX CNTS IN WGD
WITH	With	TK 1 TS PO BID WITH FOOD
WOJ	With orange juice	TK 1 TS PO QD WOJ
WS	With spacer	INH 2 PF PO BID WS
WW	With water	TK 2 TS PO QD WW
ZPK	Take 2 tablets by mouth on day 1 then take 1 tablet by mouth daily for 4 days	ZPK

Emergency/Naloxone Instructions

Code	Meaning	Example Usage
ALN	Of opioid emergency persist alternate nostrils	NAR ALN
ATM	Call 911. Use as directed with naloxone needleless	ATM
EMR	May repeat every 2-3 minutes if emergency persists	NAR EMR
INX	Prefilled syringe. May repeat every 3-5 minutes	ATM INX
ISO	If symptoms of an opioid emergency persist	US NAS ISO EMR
MDX	Nostril. Use with MAD. May repeat every 3-5 minutes	ATM MDX
NAR	Call 911. Spray contents of one sprayer (0.1ml) into one nostril	NAR ISO EMR
NAX	Call 911. Spray 1/2 of the dose (1ml) into each nostril	NAX ISO EMR
NIJ	Call 911. Follow audio instructions	NIJ
NIM	Call 911. Administer vial (1ml)	NIM
NM3	No more than 3000mg of acetaminophen daily	TK 1-2 TS PO Q4H PRN P NM3
NM4	No more than 4000mg of acetaminophen daily	TK 1-2 TS PO Q6H PRN P NM4
NSY	Call 911 - use with naloxone	NSY
REP	Into one nostril. Repeat in 2-3 min if symptoms persist	NAR REP
VIO	Inject 0.4ml into thigh	ATM VIO

Tips for Entering SIG Codes:

When using full SIG codes (not smart sigs), separate each component with a space
Smart sigs (+QD, +BID, etc.) can only be used for single unit doses
For multiple units (e.g., "Take 2 tablets"), you must use the full format: TK 2 TS PO BID
Always verify the SIG translates correctly before finalizing the prescription
Use IC+ auto-complete features when available to ensure proper code entry

📋 IC+ Sig Codes Reference