TDS or TID prescriptions: Three times daily

In the UK, TDS is a medical abbreviation used to indicate the frequency of medication dosages, it comes from the Latin phrase “ter die sumendus,” which translates to “to be taken three times a day.” The TDS medical abbreviation is also used in (mostly) Commonwealth countries such as Australia and New Zealand. 

TID is another medical abbreviation used in other English-speaking countries which is interchangeable with TDS and stands for "ter in die" ("three times a day").

At a glance: TDS medication

 

What does TDS mean on a prescription?

TDS is a medical abbreviation used by the NHS and other prescribers in the UK to tell patients the frequency of their medication.

When the term TDS is used on prescriptions, it means patients should take the medication three times a day at the dosage instructed.

TDS is also used in other fields, such as water testing, and as an abbreviation for testosterone deficiency syndrome, but when seen on a prescription it means three times daily.

How many hours apart is three times daily?

The majority of medications prescribed as TDS should be taken at equal spacing intervals, approximately eight hours apart.

A typical pattern for patients taking a TDS medication is taking their first dose in the early morning, their second dose early afternoon, and their third dose just before bed.

Generally, TDS medications do not require patients to wake up during the night for their dosage. However, pharmacy labels attached to the medication will give strict instructions if this is necessary and patients should always adhere to them.

Some TDS-prescribed medication also requires patients to take their medication along with meals, this is usually specified on the medication label as well with phrasing such as ‘before food,’ ‘with food’ or ‘after food.’

TDS vs TID prescriptions

While TDS and TID are two different medical abbreviations, they stand for the same frequency of dosing.

The difference between the two is that TDS is primarily used in the UK and other commonwealth countries (such as New Zealand and Australia).

TID however, is most commonly used in America and Canada, both terms are used in healthcare to instruct patients to take medication three times a day. 

TDS and other dosing abbreviations 

 

 

Why are there different dosing frequencies like TDS?

Dosing frequencies vary because different medications last in the body for different amounts of time. 

Every medication has a half-life, which is the time it takes for the amount of the drug in your body to drop to half.

Different dosing frequencies instructed by your doctor ensures medications stay at a steady state, high enough to work, but not high enough to become toxic.

TDS prescriptions and medical cannabis

TDS may be used as a dosage frequency for medical cannabis, especially for managing chronic conditions such as pain or anxiety. 

A TDS schedule can be used with medical cannabis as it keeps medicine levels steady in the body so that treatment may help throughout the day.

We know that chronic conditions can make daily life difficult, from getting ready in the morning to being able to fall asleep.

At Releaf, we have a dedicated team of specialists to help guide you and see if medical cannabis is right for you.

Get started by using our medical cannabis eligibility checker. It’s free and takes less than a minute to fill in.

How long does medical cannabis stay in the body?

The effects of medical cannabis and how long they last depends on the cannabinoid and how it has been administered.

THC has a half-life of around one to three days in occasional users, but can last several days for patients taking higher doses more regularly. A half-life is the time it takes for half of the drug to leave the system.

CBD’s half-life is dependent on several factors including the method of ingestion, generally the half-life of CBD ranges from one hour to 17 hours for a single oral dose, 31 hours when inhaled and 2 to 5 days with regular dosing.

Frequently asked questions about TDS prescriptions

• What does TDS stand for in medical terms?

The medical abbreviation TDS is a direct instruction to take your medication three times a day, taken from the Latin expression “ter die sumendus.”

• Is TDS dosing every 8 hours?

TDS is typically taken every eight hours. For most people, the schedule is once in the morning, the early afternoon, and before bed, but you should always follow the instructions of your medication’s leaflet.

• Does TDS mean 3 times a day?

TDS is a medical abbreviation used for dosing frequency meaning three times a day.

• What is OD, BD and TDS?

OD is medication that is taken once a day. BD is medication taken twice a day. TDS is medication taken three times a day.

• What does TDS stand for in the NHS?

Three times a day.

• How many hours apart should I take a 3-times-a-day medication?

Eight hours is considered best practice.

• Do I need to wake up at night to space TDS doses?

Most TDS medications do not require you to wake up at night to space out dosages but you should always check the medication’s package leaflet if you are unsure.

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

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