noun

Rx

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Rx (noun) means a doctor's prescription, or the symbol printed on a prescription form and on pharmacy signage to mark it as one. Example: “Bring your Rx to the counter and we'll fill it.”

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."

"The label showed the Rx number and the refill count."

abbreviation

medical shorthand Used in medical shorthand and notes to mean treatment or therapy.

"Dx: migraine. Rx: sumatriptan as needed."

adjective

Available only on prescription, as opposed to over the counter.

"It moved from Rx to OTC status in 2015."

How to use Rx

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA prescription from a doctor.

When to use it

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.

Memory tip

In clinical notes Rx sits alongside Dx (diagnosis), Hx (history) and Tx (treatment or transplant).

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

OTC → Dx Tx Sig →

Common pairings

Rx only fill an Rx Rx number Rx savings card

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

Bring your _____ to the counter and we'll fill it.

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.

Origin: Latin

Synonyms

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prescription script treatment therapy

Antonyms

OTC over-the-counter

Related words

law hand writing code treatment discussion description medicine

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.

What is the meaning of Rx?

"Rx" (noun) means a doctor's prescription, or the symbol printed on a prescription form and on pharmacy signage to mark it as one.

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