BD and BID prescriptions: Twice daily

BD is a medical abbreviation used in the UK which stands for “bis die” which means "twice daily" in Latin, and is also written as BID for the Latin term ‘bis in die” in the United States. 

When BD appears on a medical cannabis prescription, it instructs the patient to take their medication two times per day, typically spaced approximately 12 hours apart.

At a glance: BD prescriptions

 

What does BD mean on a prescription?

BD is one of the most frequently used dosing abbreviations in UK healthcare. According to the NHS, BD dosing means taking medication twice each day, usually in the morning and evening. 

A prescription may read “1 BD” and “2 BD” this also signals the dosage and frequency of the medication and means “One tablet twice daily” and “two tablets twice daily.”

BD vs BID prescriptions

BD and BID means the exact same thing. BD is the standard medical abbreviation used in the UK while BID is commonly used in the United States and international medical literature. 

Both come from Latin phrases “bis die” (BD) and “bis in die” (BID), which means twice daily.

Does BD mean exactly 12 hours apart?

When you are prescribed BD medication, you’ll want to take it approximately 12 hours apart. In practice, this will look like one dose in the morning and another in the evening.

Some BD medication will require you to take it with or without food, this will be seen on the prescription leaflet as “before food,” “with food” or “after food.”

Always follow the prescriber’s instructions stated in the leaflet of your medication.

Depending on the medication, you may have to wait for the next dose if you miss a dosage time. Medication should not be doubled-up unless a doctor or pharmacist has specified you should.

If you miss a dose of BD medication, the best thing you can do is check the prescription leaflet, which should give you details on what to do next or call your pharmacist who can give more detailed instructions on what to do next.

BD and other dosing abbreviations 

 

How should I take a BD prescription of medical cannabis?

Medical cannabis may be prescribed with a BD frequency, you should aim to space your doses evenly, about 12 hours apart.

Common approaches include: morning and evening, with meals if advised, such as breakfast and dinner. Consistent timing each day may help optimise therapeutic effect.

A specialist will decide whether BD or PRN (as needed) dosing is a right fit for patients.

A medical cannabis prescription might read: "1ml BD" — meaning take 1 millilitre of cannabis oil twice daily.

Medical cannabis oil can often come with a BD frequency as the effects last longer than other medical cannabis formats.

Typically, medical cannabis oil is placed under the tongue using a pipette, this is called sublingual.

The active THC compound is absorbed through the oral mucosal membrane, bypassing the liver so that it enters the bloodstream within two to ten minutes of exposure.

Taking medical cannabis THC oil drops sublingually means patients will feel the effects within five to ten minutes, with effects peaking at around 30 to 45 minutes.

The effects of THC oil tend to last longer than vaporised medical cannabis flowers which can last two to four hours, but it depends on your dosage and varies person to person.

For medical cannabis patients, BD dosing is commonly prescribed for conditions requiring consistent symptom management throughout the day, such as chronic pain, anxiety, or insomnia, where an evening dose supports sleep.

Every patient's needs are different. Your dosing schedule will be tailored by our specialist team during your consultation and may be adjusted as your treatment progresses.

Frequently asked questions about BD prescriptions

What does BD mean on a prescription?

BD is an abbreviation used to tell patients to take their medication twice a day. BD is used in the UK while BID is used in the United States.

What does OD and BD mean on a prescription?

The medical meaning of BD on a prescription means it should be taken twice a day, OD means it should be taken once a day.

Does BD mean 12 hours apart?

BD prescribed medications should be taken around 12 hours apart. Most patients take their medication at around 8am and another dose at 8pm. Your specialist may request specific times based on your symptoms.

Why does BD mean twice a day?

The medical abbreviation BD means twice a day as it comes from the Latin phrase “bis die” which means “twice daily.”

What does “1 BD” or “2 BD” mean on a prescription?

When the term “1 BD” or “2 BD” is seen on a prescription, it means to take either one tablet twice a day or two tablets twice a day. It is telling patients the correct dose and frequency of their medication.

What does BD mean in the NHS?

In the NHS BD is an abbreviation used on medical records and prescriptions to say medication should be taken twice a day. It is translated from the Latin phrase “bis die” which means “twice daily.”

Does twice a day mean exactly 12 hours apart?

When medication is marked with “BD” it means it should be taken twice a day, typically you should keep to a spacing of 12 hours apart.

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

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

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