What does HS stand for in a medication regimen?

In a medication regimen, HS is commonly used as an abbreviation that stands for "at bedtime." This term indicates that the medication should be taken when the patient is preparing to sleep, aligning dosing with the time when the medication may have optimal effects, such as promoting rest or managing conditions best addressed during sleep.

The other options represent different dosing schedules. "Three times a day" refers to the frequency of administration throughout the day, while "before meals" specifies the timing relative to food intake, and "as directed" indicates that the patient should follow a specific set of instructions provided by a healthcare professional. Understanding these distinctions is critical in ensuring proper medication management and patient adherence to prescribed regimens.