What is a prescription (Rx)?

A prescription is a written order from a licensed prescriber authorizing a specific medication, dose, and quantity for one patient. It names the drug and strength, the directions for taking it, the amount dispensed, and how many refills are allowed. A doctor-issued slip and a pharmacy-printed label are both prescriptions; the pharmacy label just adds the Rx number and dispensing details.

How do I read the abbreviations on a prescription?

The directions use Latin shorthand called the "Sig." Common ones: "BID" is twice a day, "TID" three times a day, "QD" once daily, "PRN" as needed, "PO" by mouth, and "PRN" with a number means as needed up to that many times. If any abbreviation is unclear, ask your pharmacist rather than guess, since misread shorthand is a known cause of medication errors.

What are the parts of a prescription?

A prescription has the patient's name, the medication and strength, the directions (Sig), the quantity to dispense, the number of refills, and the prescriber's name and signature. A pharmacy-printed label adds the Rx number, the dispensing pharmacy, the fill date, and the date the prescription expires.

How do I know how many refills I have left?

Look for the "Refills" line on a pharmacy label, which shows the number remaining and often the date the prescription expires. Once refills run out or the expiration date passes, the pharmacy can't refill it and you'll need a new order from your prescriber. Keeping the record handy means you can request a refill before you run out.

How long should I keep my prescriptions?

Keep a prescription at least until the course is finished and any refills are used or expired. Keep it longer if you take the medication regularly, so it stays part of an accurate medication list for new doctors, ER visits, and travel, where knowing your exact drug, dose, and prescriber prevents dangerous interactions.

Medical

Prescription (Rx)

A prescription (Rx) is a written order from a licensed prescriber authorizing a specific medication, dose, and quantity for one patient. It lists the drug and strength, the directions for taking it (the "Sig"), the quantity dispensed, and the number of refills allowed. A pharmacy-printed label adds the Rx number and dispensing details.

Prescription directions are written in Latin shorthand called the "Sig": "BID" means twice a day, "PRN" means as needed, "PO" means by mouth. Because misread abbreviations are a known source of medication errors, the Institute for Safe Medication Practices publishes a list of error-prone ones for clinicians to avoid.

Source: ISMP: List of Error-Prone Abbreviations, Symbols, and Dose Designations

Written & maintained by the Granite team · Last updated June 2026

Overview

A prescription reaches you two ways: as a slip or e-prescription written by your doctor, or as the label a pharmacy prints when it fills the order. Both name the medication and its strength, but the directions are the part people misread. They're often written in Latin shorthand called the "Sig," where "BID" means twice a day, "PRN" means as needed, and "PO" means by mouth.

The refills line tells you how many fills remain and the date after which the prescription expires; miss it and you need a new order from your prescriber. The Rx number is the pharmacy's identifier for that specific prescription, and you'll need it to call in a refill. Because it ties to your name and medication, it's sensitive information worth keeping private.

When you’ll get your Prescription (Rx)

A doctor prescribed a new medication or changed your dose
You picked up a filled prescription with a pharmacy label
You need the Rx number to request a refill
You're tracking refills remaining before one expires
You're keeping a medication list for a new doctor, a hospital stay, or travel

What’s on your Prescription (Rx)

These are the fields Granite reads and extracts automatically the moment you upload one.

Medication: The drug name and strength as printed (e.g. "Lisinopril 10 mg").
Directions (Sig): How and when to take it, often in Latin shorthand ("1 tab PO BID").
Quantity: The total amount dispensed (e.g. number of tablets).
Refills: How many refills remain and the date after which it expires.
Prescriber: The licensed provider who wrote the prescription.
Pharmacy & Rx Number: The dispensing pharmacy and its prescription number (sensitive).

How long to keep it

Keep a prescription record at least until the medication course is finished and any refills are used or expired. Keep it longer, alongside your medication history, if you take it regularly, so you have an accurate list for new providers, ER visits, or travel.

Your prescriptions are the backbone of an accurate medication list, which every new doctor, pharmacist, and ER asks for. Having the drug, dose, and prescriber on hand prevents dangerous interactions and duplicate therapy, and a kept Rx is proof of what you were prescribed if a refill or insurance question comes up.

How Granite handles your Prescription (Rx)

Granite reads each prescription (medication and dose, directions, prescriber, quantity, refills remaining, and refill expiration) and files it with your medical records. Because it captures the refill-expiration date, Granite can remind you before a prescription lapses, and your full medication history is gathered in one place to hand to a new doctor or pull up in an emergency.

FAQ

Prescription (Rx): common questions

What is a prescription (Rx)?: A prescription is a written order from a licensed prescriber authorizing a specific medication, dose, and quantity for one patient. It names the drug and strength, the directions for taking it, the amount dispensed, and how many refills are allowed. A doctor-issued slip and a pharmacy-printed label are both prescriptions; the pharmacy label just adds the Rx number and dispensing details.
How do I read the abbreviations on a prescription?: The directions use Latin shorthand called the "Sig." Common ones: "BID" is twice a day, "TID" three times a day, "QD" once daily, "PRN" as needed, "PO" by mouth, and "PRN" with a number means as needed up to that many times. If any abbreviation is unclear, ask your pharmacist rather than guess, since misread shorthand is a known cause of medication errors.
What are the parts of a prescription?: A prescription has the patient's name, the medication and strength, the directions (Sig), the quantity to dispense, the number of refills, and the prescriber's name and signature. A pharmacy-printed label adds the Rx number, the dispensing pharmacy, the fill date, and the date the prescription expires.
How do I know how many refills I have left?: Look for the "Refills" line on a pharmacy label, which shows the number remaining and often the date the prescription expires. Once refills run out or the expiration date passes, the pharmacy can't refill it and you'll need a new order from your prescriber. Keeping the record handy means you can request a refill before you run out.
How long should I keep my prescriptions?: Keep a prescription at least until the course is finished and any refills are used or expired. Keep it longer if you take the medication regularly, so it stays part of an accurate medication list for new doctors, ER visits, and travel, where knowing your exact drug, dose, and prescriber prevents dangerous interactions.

Sources

This page is checked against primary and authoritative sources:

Keep your Prescription (Rx) in one place.

Drop it in once. Granite reads it, files it, and makes it findable forever, by you today and by the people who'll need it later.

Get Granite Try the live demo See pricing