What does BID stand for in medical terms?

In medical terminology, BID stands for "bis in die," which is a Latin phrase that translates to "twice a day." This abbreviation is commonly used in prescriptions to indicate that a medication should be taken two times daily, typically at evenly spaced intervals. For example, if a patient is instructed to take a medication BID, they might take it once in the morning and once in the evening.

The other choices do not accurately represent the meaning of BID. "Once a week" refers to a different frequency of dosing altogether, while "before meals" pertains to when medication should be taken relative to food intake. "As needed" is often abbreviated as PRN (pro re nata), indicating that the medication should be taken only when necessary rather than at regular intervals. Understanding these abbreviations is crucial for ensuring correct medication adherence and patient safety.