Unit of measure
IU medical abbreviation
IU means "international unit".
On The Joint Commission's Do Not Use list. ISMP suggests: Write "units".
Each meaning matched at least two public references (5 in all for IU), checked October 23, 2026. The table lists them.
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What IU means
| Meaning | Latin origin | Where used | Checked against |
|---|---|---|---|
| international unit | None | Prescriptions, Charting |
Example
Training example of a Do Not Use entry: "IU" on an order.
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 IU mean in medical terms?
IU means "international unit".
Where is IU used?
IU shows up in prescriptions and charting. Its category here is unit of measure.
Is IU on the Joint Commission Do Not Use list?
Yes. The Joint Commission's Do Not Use list includes IU. ISMP's suggested practice: Write "units".