q24h
Medical abbreviation · Prescription
| Stands for | Every 24 hours |
|---|---|
| Categories | Medical |
q24h stands for Every 24 hours, a prescription abbreviation.
Once-daily dosing at the same time each day, written as an interval when exact 24-hour spacing matters, such as aminoglycosides, ceftriaxone or medicines adjusted for kidney function.
Example: Ceftriaxone 2 g IV q24h; day 3 of 7.
Usage notes
Pharmacists often prefer q24h to "daily" for renally adjusted antibiotics because it keeps the clock-time spacing explicit; related intervals include q36h and q48h for patients with reduced kidney function. Using "daily" rather than the banned "QD" is still the recommended wording for routine once-a-day drugs.
Related abbreviations
More prescription abbreviations
- 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
- q1d – Once daily
- q2h – Every 2 hours
- q2wk – Every 2 weeks
- q3h – Every 3 hours
- q4-6h – Every 4 to 6 hours
- q4h – Every 4 hours
- q5min – Every 5 minutes
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.