What does AC mean in medication instructions?

What does AC mean in medication instructions?

• A. Before meals
• B. After meals
• C. In the morning
• D. At bedtime

Answer: (A)

AC indicates timing relative to meals: ante cibum, Latin for before meals. This cue tells you to take the medication on an empty stomach, typically a short time before you eat, to optimize absorption or reduce stomach irritation. The other options describe different timings—after meals means the medication should be taken after eating, while morning or bedtime refer to daily times rather than whether you’ve eaten—so they aren’t what AC stands for. In short, AC = before meals, guiding when to take the dose in relation to food.

AC indicates timing relative to meals: ante cibum, Latin for before meals. This cue tells you to take the medication on an empty stomach, typically a short time before you eat, to optimize absorption or reduce stomach irritation. The other options describe different timings—after meals means the medication should be taken after eating, while morning or bedtime refer to daily times rather than whether you’ve eaten—so they aren’t what AC stands for. In short, AC = before meals, guiding when to take the dose in relation to food.