1-27. ROMAN NUMERALS
a. Roman numerals are sometimes used in place of Arabic numbers on a
prescription to designate the number of tablets or the number of fluid ounces of a liquid
to be dispensed. For example:
b. In the above prescription, the Roman numeral XXXII as written below the
dosage form (aspirin tablets-5 gr) indicates the number of tablets to be dispensed.
Roman numerals may also be used in the signa of a prescription to indicate the number
of tablets to be taken as a single dose. In the prescription above, the Roman numeral ii
in the signa indicates the number of tablets to be taken as a single dose.
c.
In the above prescription, the Roman numeral IV following the symbol for a fluid
ounce (f ) indicates that four fluid ounces of calamine lotion should be dispensed.
1-28. VALUES OF SINGLE NUMERALS
__
ss or ss = 1/2
L
or
l
=
50
I or i
= 1
C
or
c
=
100
V or v
= 5
D
or
d
=
500
X or x
= 10
M
or
m
=
1000
MD0802
1-33