What is the abbreviation "gr." commonly used for in pharmacy?

In pharmacy, the abbreviation "gr." is commonly used to signify "grain." This unit of measurement has historical importance and is often utilized in the context of dosages for medications, especially in the past when grain measurements were more prevalent, particularly for certain solid medications and substances. One grain is approximately equal to 64.8 milligrams. Understanding this abbreviation is essential for someone in the healthcare and pharmaceutical fields, as it helps in accurately interpreting prescriptions and ensuring the correct dosing of medication.

While "gram" is a modern metric unit of mass that is often used, it is not the correct interpretation of "gr." "Gross" refers to a quantity of 144 items and is not relevant in this context. "Gravitational" pertains to physics and is unrelated to pharmacy measurements, making it an inappropriate choice as well. Thus, knowing that "gr." stands specifically for "grain" helps ensure medications are administered safely and correctly.