The abbreviation BID on a prescription means what?

• A. Once a day
• B. Twice a day
• C. Three times a day
• D. Four times a day

Answer: (B)

The timing concept tested is how prescription frequencies are abbreviated. BID means two times per day. It comes from the Latin bis in die, indicating the dose should be taken twice within a 24-hour period. In practice, dosing is usually spaced about 12 hours apart to keep drug levels steady, though the exact schedule can depend on the medication’s properties. This is distinct from once daily (taken one time in 24 hours) or three times daily and four times daily patterns. So BID specifically signifies taking the dose two times each day.