What does the instruction on a medication label mean when it says 3x daily - all at one time?

Answer 1

'Three times daily' would mean to spread out taking three doses of medication during the day (ideally 8 hours apart) - usually one dose in the morning, one dose in the afternoon and one in the evening. A drug's effectiveness generally relies on a steady level in the body and some drugs are quickly eliminated. Verify the dosage instructions with your doctor or pharmacist, including if it should be taken with food or on an empty stomach.

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality's (AHRQ) - part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) - recommends patient-centered labels using 'explicit and standardized prescription medication instructions' by following the Universal Medication Schedule (UMS). Here is an example of wording to spread out the doses:

• Take 1 pill in the morning

  1 pill at noon and

  1 pill in the evening

Here's an example of wording if it should be taken all at one time:

• Take 3 pills at bedtime

You might suggest this to your pharmacist, since it helps take the guesswork out of when to administer medication.

Answer 2

It means you should take three doses at one time. Certainly drink plenty of water and do this on a full stomach. You should call the pharmacy to verify that this is what is meant.