AC and PC are Latin-derived sig abbreviations you will see on prescriptions and medication labels. They tell you when a dose is tied to meals, not just what to take.
What AC and PC Meal Timing Abbreviations Mean
AC stands for ante cibum, meaning before meals. PC stands for post cibum, meaning after meals. You may see them as a.c. and p.c., in uppercase or lowercase. They are meal-timing abbreviations, not dosage strengths or drug names.
Why AC and PC Matter for Pharmacy Technicians and the PTCB Exam
For PTCB-style sig interpretation, you must translate AC and PC correctly into patient-friendly directions. A wrong meal timing code can lead to an incorrect label and counseling confusion. Technicians need to enter the sig accurately, recognize Latin abbreviations, and know when to ask the pharmacist to clarify vague wording such as “take with meals” because that is not the same as AC or PC.
Practical Application Example
If the prescription reads Take 1 tablet PO AC, your label should clearly say take one tablet by mouth before meals. If it reads Take 1 capsule PO PC, that means take one capsule by mouth after meals. When a sig combines codes, such as Take 1 tablet AC and PC, slow down and confirm the intended schedule with the pharmacist before finalizing the label.
Common AC/PC Mistake and Pro Tip
⚠️ A common mistake is treating AC as “with meals” or PC as “afternoon”; both are wrong. Meal timing is specific, and “with food” may not be the same as before or after a meal. 💡 Pro tip: Verify ambiguous sigs before labeling and use plain language on the patient instructions whenever your system allows.
Quick Reference: AC and PC Meal Timing Abbreviations
- AC = ante cibum = before meals
- PC = post cibum = after meals
- a.c. / p.c. = same Latin abbreviations, lowercase format
- “With meals” ≠ AC or PC; clarify with pharmacist if unsure
Related Concepts
Review Sig Code: Prescription Instruction Abbreviations, HS: Bedtime Dosing Abbreviation, and PRN: As-Needed Dosing to strengthen your sig interpretation skills.