Rx
2 antonyms and opposites of Rx, grouped by meaning.
Noun — A doctor's prescription, or the symbol printed on a prescription form and on pharmacy signage to mark it as one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. noun
A doctor's prescription, or the symbol printed on a prescription form and on pharmacy signage to mark it as one.
“Bring your Rx to the counter and we'll fill it.”
2. abbreviation medical shorthand
Used in medical shorthand and notes to mean treatment or therapy.
“Dx: migraine. Rx: sumatriptan as needed.”
3. adjective
Available only on prescription, as opposed to over the counter.
“It moved from Rx to OTC status in 2015.”
Opposites
Antonyms
How to Use Rx
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Chiefly American in everyday use — US pharmacies, insurance plans and drug marketing all use it. British patients normally say prescription. Written with a capital R and lower-case x.
Etymology
An abbreviation of Latin recipe, 'take', the traditional opening word of a prescription instructing the pharmacist to take the listed ingredients. The stroke across the R's leg is a scribal abbreviation mark.
Full origin of Rx →Frequently Asked Questions
What does Rx stand for?
It abbreviates the Latin word recipe, meaning 'take', which historically began every written prescription. A popular claim that it derives from an astrological symbol for Jupiter is not supported by the documentary evidence.
What is the difference between Rx and OTC?
Rx medicines require a prescription from a licensed prescriber and are dispensed by a pharmacist. OTC — over-the-counter — medicines can be bought off the shelf without one. Some drugs switch from Rx to OTC once a regulator judges them safe for unsupervised use.
What is the difference between Rx and Dx?
Dx is shorthand for diagnosis, the name of the condition. Rx is the treatment or prescription that follows from it. Clinical notes usually list them in that order.