What abbreviation would indicate a medical instruction to take a medication three times daily?

The abbreviation "tid" stands for "ter die," which is Latin for "three times a day." This instruction is commonly used in medical prescriptions and means that the patient should take the medication three separate times throughout the day, usually at evenly spaced intervals. This dosage schedule is essential for maintaining therapeutic levels of the medication in the body and ensuring its efficacy.

In contrast, some of the other common abbreviations can lead to confusion. "bid" means "bis in die," or "twice a day," which indicates a lesser frequency. "qod" stands for "quaque altera die," meaning "every other day," which is a completely different regimen. Lastly, "qd" is "quaque die," meaning "once a day," signifying that the medication should be taken just once in a 24-hour period. Understanding these abbreviations allows healthcare professionals to effectively communicate and follow proper medication regimens for patients.