AC prescriptions: Ante Cibum

AC is a medical abbreviation used in the UK to let patients know they should take their prescription before eating. It comes from the Latin phrase “Ante Cibum” which translates to ‘before meals.’

At a glance: Ante Cibum

What does AC mean in medical terms?	AC is an abbreviation used in medicine to instruct patients to take their prescription before meals.
What does Ante Cibum mean?	Ante Cibum is a Latin phrase often abbreviated to AC on prescription packages. The full translation means ‘before meals.’
When to take AC medication?	Generally, AC medication should be taken 30 to 60 minutes before meals, but patients should seek specific advice from their doctor because every prescription carries its own unique set of clinical guidelines and protocols.
What does PC mean on prescriptions?	PC is another medical abbreviation used in the UK to instruct patients on when to take their prescription. PC differs from AC as it is an instruction to take medicine after meals, not before.
What does HS mean in prescriptions?	The medical abbreviation HS comes from the Latin phrase “Hora Somni” which means it should be taken before bed.
Where are AC medical abbreviations used?	The AC medical abbreviation is used across the world to instruct patients that their medication should be taken before meals. The NHS uses ‘AC’ on prescriptions that should be taken before meals.

What does the AC medical abbreviation mean on a prescription?

When the term AC shows up on a medical prescription, it means you should take it before meals.

The term AC may also be used for the acromioclavicular joint found in the shoulder or the antecubital fossa in the elbow.

While the medical abbreviation is used in medical records, patient-facing content from the NHS will often clearly state ‘before meals’ on the prescription instructions rather than just ‘AC,’ to avoid confusion.

On NHS prescriptions, they typically write the dosage of the medication as well as the time to take it. For example, a prescription may read ‘One tablet 30 minutes before food’ or ‘one tablet an hour before food’.

In other cases, the medication may also read that it should be taken on an empty stomach. It is always important to seek specific advice from your doctor, as each medication may have different instructions and requirements that need to be followed.

How long before food should you take AC medication?

An AC medication should usually be taken 30 to 60 minutes before food.

The majority of AC medications will have clear instructions from the prescriber on the dosage to be taken, how many times a day, and how long before food it should be taken. If you are unsure, consult your doctor.

Why are some medications taken before food?

Some medications require an empty stomach to ensure faster absorption that helps quicken their action.

Food can alter the way your body digests the drug as food can stick to the medicine and stop the gut from absorbing it.

Digestion can also slow down how quickly the drug enters the bloodstream while stomach acid can alter the drug’s strength and safety.

Certain drugs need to be absorbed into the bloodstream without the interference of food, which could alter their effectiveness and absorption.

AC and other medical abbreviations

AC	Medication taken before food.
PC	Medication taken after food.
OD	Medication taken once a day.
BD	Medication taken twice a day.
TDS	Medication taken three times a day.
QDS	Medication taken four times a day.
PRN	Medication taken as needed.
HS	Medication taken before sleep.

What if you forget, or take AC medication with food by mistake?

It depends on the medication you have been prescribed. The best thing you can do is consult your doctor for next steps.

If you forget to take your AC medication, you may need to wait until your next scheduled dose. A doctor may suggest taking the dose with a small amount of food.

Depending on the medication, it might be safe to take your dose up to two hours later, but you should confirm with your doctor or pharmacist first.

In most cases, it is crucial to not double-up on doses as this can lead to potential side-effects or unintended drug interactions.

If you have taken your AC medication with food by mistake, you should again consult your doctor or pharmacist for further instructions.

Side effects and risks of consuming an AC medication with food vary depending on the type of medication you have been prescribed.

The information leaflet included with your prescription should include next steps to take, but you can also contact your local pharmacist for more instructions.

AC prescriptions and medical cannabis

Like many medications, medical cannabis, such as oils, can be affected by food.

Research has found that both CBD and THC oils are better absorbed when taken with high-fat foods rather than on an empty stomach.

Prescribers, like our specialist team at Releaf, may specify timing medical cannabis treatment around meals.

To find out if you are eligible, try our free medical cannabis eligibility checker, it takes less than 30 seconds to fill in.

Frequently asked questions about AC prescriptions

What does AC mean in medical terms?

The medical abbreviation of AC is from the Latin phrase ‘Ante Cibum’, which translates to ‘before meals’.

What does “AC” mean in pharmacy prescriptions?

Seeing ‘AC’ on a pharmacy prescription means you should take the required dosage before eating food.

What do AC and PC stand for in medical terms?

The medical abbreviation AC means you should take medication before eating food; PC, on the other hand, requires you to take medication after eating food.

What is the meaning of AC in a doctor’s prescription?

A doctor’s prescription that uses the abbreviation AC means you should take the required dosage of medicine before eating food.

How long before food should AC medication be taken?

Typically, AC medication should be taken 30 minutes to one hour before eating food.

Is taking medication AC the same as taking it on an empty stomach?

When a prescription is marked with ‘AC’ it means it should be taken before food, an empty stomach medication has a stricter schedule and should be taken an hour before eating or two hours after eating.

What does AC/HS mean on a prescription?

When AC and HS are seen on a prescription, it means you are required to take the medication before meals and once before you go to sleep; the prescription leaflet will tell you the exact dosage and frequency.

Our medical cannabis glossary can also help you learn more about terms you may associate with medical cannabis.

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