ACHS Medical Abbreviation: What It Means in Prescriptions

What Does ACHS Stand For?

ACHS is a medical abbreviation used in prescriptions. It comes from Latin and means “before meals and at bedtime.”

Each letter stands for:

• AC - ante cibum, meaning before meals
• HS - hora somni, meaning at bedtime

So, when a prescription says “take 1 tablet ACHS,” it means take it before each meal and again at bedtime.

Where Is ACHS Used?

You may see ACHS written on:

• Prescription labels
• Hospital medication charts
• Discharge instructions
• Blood sugar monitoring schedules (especially in diabetes care)

It’s most commonly used for:

• Medications that help control blood sugar
• Drugs that must be timed with food intake
• Treatments that work best before digestion or while sleeping

ACHS in Diabetes Care

In diabetes management, ACHS is often used to schedule blood glucose checks or insulin doses. The right timing can improve blood sugar control and lower the risk of low blood sugar.

A doctor might write:

• “Check blood sugar ACHS”
• “Inject insulin ACHS”

This means test or treat before breakfast, lunch, dinner, and before going to sleep.

Why Timing Matters with ACHS

Taking medicine before meals helps the drug:

• Work faster
• Absorb better
• Control symptoms at the right time

The bedtime dose can:

• Help manage overnight symptoms
• Maintain drug levels during sleep
• Prevent spikes or drops in blood sugar

ACHS ensures that the medication fits the body’s natural rhythm, especially when food and rest are involved.

ACHS vs Other Timing Abbreviations

Here’s how ACHS compares with other prescription timing terms:

• AC - Before meals
• HS - At bedtime
• PC - After meals
• BID - Twice a day
• TID - Three times a day
• QID - Four times a day
• PRN - As needed

ACHS is specific because it tells you when to take a drug based on both meals and sleep.