What Does 'Take Two Tablets By Mouth Once Weekly' Mean?
In our latest question and answer, our pharmacist discusses what the prescription directions 'take two tablets by mouth once weekly' means.
On my prescription, it says to take two tablets once weekly. Does it mean I need to take 2 tabs in one week at different times or days?? Please help.
May 26, 2022- Take two tablets by mouth once weekly means you should take both tablets at the same time, one time per week on the same day each week.
- If your doctor wanted you to take the tablets at different times or on different days, the prescription directions would be written differently.
- Always contact your prescriber if you're unsure about how to take your medication.
Hello and thanks for your question! It's not uncommon that prescription directions are misinterpreted, often through no fault of the user.
In fact, many governing bodies in the healthcare space publish lists of 'do not use' medical abbreviations and directions to reduce the risk of error.
Let's get to what you asked about.
Two Tablets By Mouth Weekly
In regard to the directions you ask about in your question, 'take two tablets once weekly', I can certainly see it as being somewhat ambiguous.
In most cases, however, the intent of this is for you to take two tablets by mouth, at the same time, one time weekly.
This is based on the commonly accepted way that prescription directions are written, which is:
- Verb > Quantity > Dosage Form >Route of administration> Frequency
We've got:
- Verb: Take
- Quantity: Two
- Dosage Form: Tablets
- Route of administration: By mouth
- Frequency: One time weekly
So, for example, let's say you received a prescription that is for 10 tablets of 'drug X' with these directions, and you are supposed to take it for 5 weeks.
You would take two tablets (at the same time) on week one, two tablets on week two (at the same time and day as week one), and so, on until completed.
If your doctor intended for you to take your doses at different times or days, they would have written the prescription differently (e.g. it would have said something along the lines of 'take one tablet two times weekly').
Final Words
During my years as a pharmacist, I've seen the directions you asked about written even more ambiguously (i.e. take two tablets weekly), where the 'once weekly' part was missing completely.
Although, as mentioned, this would still generally be assumed to be taking your doses at one time, on a weekly basis. Nevertheless, it never hurts to reach out to your prescriber anytime you are unsure about how to take your medicine.
Thanks again for your question!
References & sources
- Do Not Use List — Joint Comission
- Pharmacy Prescription Requirements — PubMed
Glossary — Terms in This Answer
- Prescription
- A written order from a doctor that tells you what medicine to take, how much, and how often.
- Abbreviations
- Shortened forms of words that can sometimes be unclear or misunderstood in medical instructions.
- Route of administration
- The way a medicine enters your body, such as by mouth, injection, or through the skin.
- Dosage
- The specific amount of medicine you should take at one time.
- Tablets
- Small solid pills containing medicine that you swallow.
- Frequency
- How often you need to take your medicine, such as once daily or once weekly.
- Doses
- Individual amounts of medicine taken at specific times.
- Prescriber
- A doctor or healthcare provider who has the authority to write prescriptions for medicine.
Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD
Doctor of Pharmacy, board certified clinical pharmacist (BCPS), American Herbalist Guild, Medication Therapy Management certified
Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS, is a licensed pharmacist with more than 13 years of experience across retail pharmacy, clinical pharmacy, medication safety, pharmacy program development, and healthcare administration. He is the founder of HelloPharmacist.com, where he helps patients...
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