2020-09-27 00:00:00 Centuries ago, all prescriptions were written in Latin. Currently, only one section of the prescription (the directions for taking the drug) uses abbreviations in Latin. Unless you have a medical background, these prescription abbreviations can be hard to understand. Many ancient prescriptions were noted for their multiple ingredients and complexity of preparation. The importance of the prescription and the need for complete understanding and accuracy made it imperative that a universal and standard language be employed. Thus, Latin was adopted, and its use was continued until approximately a generation ago. It was unlikely to change, because it was a “dead” language, and it was unlikely to be misinterpreted, because it was exact in its meaning. Patients who didn’t know Latin probably didn’t have the slightest idea what they were taking. Historically, prescriptions were written in Latin and are still written that way today. There are two major reasons: Latin is more concise than other languages. It makes prescriptions able to be written and filled worldwide, since physicians all over the world know the Latin names for drugs and the instructions needed.