Every 6 hours, in short
Every 6 hours (written q6h on prescriptions) means 4 doses in 24 hours, spaced evenly around the clock, including overnight. A common every 6 hours schedule is 6am, 12pm, 6pm and 12am.
Every 6 hours schedules
With an 8-hour night, at least one every 6 hours dose always falls while you're asleep. The schedule you pick decides whether it's one or two. Here's how a few common options work out for someone who sleeps from 11pm to 7am:
| Schedule | Doses during an 11pm to 7am night |
|---|---|
| 6am, 12pm, 6pm, 12am | 2 (12am and 6am) |
| 7am, 1pm, 7pm, 1am | 1 (1am) |
| 11am, 5pm, 11pm, 5am | 1 (5am) |
Planning every 6 hours around sleep
If you sleep more than 6 hours, at least one dose will land at night. Starting the schedule at your wake-up time or bedtime keeps it to a single night dose. Whether you need to wake up for it, or whether it can move, depends on the medication, so check with your pharmacist.
How many doses in a course?
| Course length | Doses (1 every 6 hours) |
|---|---|
| 5 days | 20 |
| 7 days | 28 |
| 10 days | 40 |
| 14 days | 56 |
The total is the same whatever time of day you start. Your pharmacist can confirm how many doses your prescription should have.
Common questions
How many times a day is every 6 hours?
Every 6 hours is 4 times a day, because 24 hours divided by 6 is 4 doses. A typical schedule is 6am, 12pm, 6pm and 12am.
Is every 6 hours the same as four times a day?
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, including overnight. If you're not sure which your prescription means, ask your pharmacist.
Do I have to wake up at night to take medicine every 6 hours?
If you sleep more than 6 hours, one dose will fall during your sleep. Planning the schedule from your wake-up time or bedtime keeps it to a single night dose. Whether you need to wake up for it depends on the medication, so ask your pharmacist.
How many doses is every 6 hours for 7 days?
28 doses, which is 4 a day for 7 days. A 10 day course is 40 doses.