GTTS in Medical Terms: What This Abbreviation Means

What Is the Meaning of GTTS in Medicine?

GTTS is a medical abbreviation that comes from the Latin word guttae, which means "drops." You’ll often see it written on prescriptions, especially for liquid medications like eye or ear drops.

Doctors use this abbreviation to quickly tell how much of a liquid should be used. 

How GTTS Is Used in Healthcare

GTTS is most commonly used for liquid medications that are given in drops. These are often used:

• In the eyes
• In the ears
• Sometimes under the tongue or in other specific areas

This short form helps doctors give clear instructions quickly, but it can confuse patients who don’t know medical terms.

Where Do You See GTTS Abbreviations?

In Prescriptions

Doctors often use GTTS when writing instructions on a prescription. Instead of writing “two drops in each eye,” they may write something like “2 gtts OU BID.” It saves time and keeps the instructions short.

On Medication Labels

Pharmacists also use GTTS on labels. It might appear in combination with other abbreviations, like:

• GTTS OS: meaning “drops in the left eye”
• GTTS OD: meaning “drops in the right eye”

Alongside GTTS, you’ll often see timing abbreviations like BID (twice a day) or PRN (as needed). These help explain when and how to use the drops.

In Patient Instructions

Sometimes, a doctor or nurse will use the word "drops" when talking to you, but write "gtts" in your chart or prescription. They might say, “Put two drops in each eye every morning,” while the written form reads “2 gtts OU QAM.”

If the abbreviation on your label doesn’t match what you remember, don’t guess; ask a pharmacist or doctor for clarification.

How to Read and Follow GTTS Instructions Safely

Using eye or ear drops properly can make a big difference. Here are a few practical tips to follow GTTS instructions correctly:

• Count drops carefully: Don’t guess. If it says 2 drops, stick to exactly that.
• Tilt your head properly: For eyes, look up slightly; for ears, tilt to the side.
• Avoid mixing up medications: Eye drops and ear drops may look similar, but they’re not the same. Always double-check the label before use. Always double-check the label before use. It may seem mild, but studies show that eye drops can affect not only your eyes, but your whole body too.

If something doesn’t feel right or you’re unsure, it’s better to ask than assume.

Other Related Medical Abbreviations

If you’ve seen GTTS on a prescription, you might also notice these common abbreviations:

• TAB: Stands for tablet. This means a solid medication that you take by mouth.
• CAP: Short for capsule. It’s another type of medicine taken by mouth, often easier to swallow than a tablet.
• UNG: Means ointment (from the Latin word unguentum). This is a greasy cream used on the skin or around the eyes.
• PO: Means by mouth (from per os). It tells you the medicine should be swallowed.