BID (Twice Daily)
A prescription abbreviation originating from Latin meaning "bis in die," directing a medication to be given twice a day, approximately 12 hours apart.
💬 In Plain English
BID is the Latin shorthand veterinarians write on prescription bottles to indicate that a medication should be given twice a day. For maximum effectiveness and safety, BID medications should be spaced approximately 12 hours apart (for example, at 8:00 AM and 8:00 PM). Spacing doses evenly ensures that the medication stays at a steady, therapeutic level in your pet’s bloodstream around the clock, without dipping into ineffective valleys or spiking into toxic peaks.
🔬 Clinical & Technical Depth
For Vets & TechniciansFormal Clinical Definition
Pharmacological administration frequency abbreviation derived from Latin "bis in die" (twice daily). Indicates dosing interval targeting roughly every 12 hours (q12h) to maintain steady-state drug plasma concentrations.
Why Veterinarians Use It
Veterinarians use BID on prescription labels and hospital medication administration records (MAR) to establish standard twice-daily dosing schedules.
Clinical Context Encountered
Found on almost every common antibiotic, heart medication, anti-inflammatory, or pain prescription bottle dispensed from veterinary pharmacies.
Clinical Reference Guide (Prescription / Chart Abbreviation)
Give the medication two times each day, spaced approximately 12 hours apart (e.g., 7 AM and 7 PM).
Where You Encounter It
- Prescription pill and liquid bottle labels
- Hospital ICU treatment sheets and medical records
- Post-operative discharge instructions
- •Do not give two BID doses close together (such as morning and afternoon): stacking doses can cause accidental toxicity.
❓ Questions to Ask Your Veterinarian
Take these actionable questions with you to your next clinic visit or appointment:
- 1How strictly 12 hours apart does this medication need to be given?
- 2If I give the morning dose late, how should I adjust the evening dose?
- 3Should this BID medication be given with meals or on an empty stomach?
Academic & Clinical References
- Veterinary Medical Abbreviations and Prescription Notation StandardsOrganization: American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) • Accessed: 2026-01-10https://www.aaha.org