Four times a day, in short
Four times a day (written QID or q.i.d. on prescriptions) usually means 4 doses spread across your waking hours, such as with meals and at bedtime. It isn't always the same as every 6 hours (q6h), which spaces doses evenly around the clock and usually puts one at night.
Four times a day schedules
A few common ways to fit 4 doses into a day. The calculator above spreads them evenly between your own wake-up time and bedtime.
| Schedule | Good for |
|---|---|
| 7am, 12:15pm, 5:45pm, 11pm | Evenly spread over a 7am to 11pm day |
| 8am, 12pm, 4pm, 8pm | 4 hours apart, finished by early evening |
| 8am, 12pm, 6pm, 10pm | With breakfast, lunch and dinner, and at bedtime |
Four times a day vs every 6 hours
Four times a day usually allows more flexibility than every 6 hours, which is used when doses need to be evenly spaced around the clock. With an 8-hour night, every 6 hours always puts at least one dose while you're asleep, and four times a day doesn't have to. If you're not sure which your prescription means, ask your pharmacist.
How many doses in a course?
| Course length | Doses (4 a day) |
|---|---|
| 5 days | 20 |
| 7 days | 28 |
| 10 days | 40 |
| 14 days | 56 |
Your pharmacist can confirm how many doses your prescription should have.
Common questions
What times should I take medicine 4 times a day?
Spread the doses across the hours you're awake. With a 7am to 11pm day, evenly spaced times are about 7am, 12:15pm, 5:45pm and 11pm. Many people use breakfast, lunch, dinner and bedtime instead, such as 8am, 12pm, 6pm and 10pm.
Is four times a day the same as every 6 hours?
Not always. Four times a day (QID) usually means four doses spread across your waking hours, such as with meals and at bedtime. Every 6 hours (q6h) means evenly spaced doses around the clock, including overnight. If you're not sure which your prescription means, ask your pharmacist.
Do I need to wake up at night for a four times a day medicine?
Usually not. Four times a day normally means doses during your waking hours. If your prescription says every 6 hours instead, or you're not sure, ask your pharmacist.
How many tablets is 1 tablet 4 times a day for 7 days?
28 tablets, which is 4 a day for 7 days. A 10 day course is 40 tablets.