If a medication label reads AC, what should the caregiver do?

If a medication label reads AC, what should the caregiver do?

• A. Take before meals
• B. Take after meals
• C. Take with meals
• D. Skip meals

Answer: (A)

AC means ante cibum, Latin for before meals. The caregiver should give the medication before eating, typically 30 minutes to 1 hour before a meal unless the label says a different timing. This helps ensure the drug is absorbed properly and isn’t interfered with by food. Taking it after meals or with meals would be the opposite instruction and could affect absorption or effectiveness, while skipping meals is not a dosing instruction. If there’s any confusion, check with a clinician or pharmacist for the exact timing.

AC means ante cibum, Latin for before meals. The caregiver should give the medication before eating, typically 30 minutes to 1 hour before a meal unless the label says a different timing. This helps ensure the drug is absorbed properly and isn’t interfered with by food. Taking it after meals or with meals would be the opposite instruction and could affect absorption or effectiveness, while skipping meals is not a dosing instruction. If there’s any confusion, check with a clinician or pharmacist for the exact timing.