NTE

Medical abbreviation · Prescription

NTE
Stands forNot to exceed
CategoriesMedical

NTE stands for Not to exceed, a prescription abbreviation.

Limit placed on a PRN or titrated order, stating the maximum dose per administration or per day. It is common for acetaminophen, opioids and antiemetics.

Example: Acetaminophen 650 mg PO q4h PRN pain, NTE 3 g/24 h from all sources.

Usage notes

Also written "not to exceed" or "max". Combination products make NTE limits important: acetaminophen is in many cold remedies and opioid combinations, and the FDA has limited prescription combination products to 325 mg of acetaminophen per dosage unit since 2014.

More prescription abbreviations

  • mg/kg – Milligrams per kilogram
  • mg/m2 – Milligrams per square meter
  • mL/h – Milliliters per hour
  • nocte – Nocte (at night)
  • non rep – Non repetatur (do not repeat)
  • NR – No refills
  • OD – Omni die (once daily)
  • OJ – Orange juice
  • PC – Post cibum (after meals)
  • PRN – Pro re nata (as needed)
  • q.s. – Quantum sufficit (a sufficient quantity)
  • q12h – Every 12 hours

See all 77 prescription 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.