Sig code: prescription term
AD LIB medical abbreviation
AD LIB means "as desired", from the Latin "ad libitum".
Each meaning matched at least two public references (2 in all for AD LIB), checked October 23, 2026. The table lists them.
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What AD LIB means
| Meaning | Latin origin | Where used | Checked against |
|---|---|---|---|
| as desired | ad libitum | Prescriptions, Medication labels |
Also written: ad lib.
Example
Sample diet order: "fluids ad lib."
A made-up line that shows the abbreviation in place. It is not about any patient and is not an instruction.
Related abbreviations
Elsewhere on Rivvi
Questions
What does AD LIB mean in medical terms?
AD LIB means "as desired", from the Latin "ad libitum".
What does AD LIB stand for in Latin?
AD LIB comes from "ad libitum", meaning "as desired".
Where is AD LIB used?
AD LIB shows up in prescriptions and medication labels. Its category here is sig code: prescription term.
Is AD LIB on the Joint Commission Do Not Use list?
No. AD LIB is not on the Joint Commission Do Not Use list or the ISMP error-prone list as checked on October 23, 2026.