Prescribing PRN (As Needed) Medication

Adding PRN Medication (0.46)

Repeat drugs not consumed regularly by patients; for example, drugs administered intermittently, are dispensed unnecessarily leading to patients holding large amounts of unused medications. The problem is perpetuated when such items print on the same repeat prescription as regular repeat items.

To help manage this problem you can separate As Needed items from other items when generating prescriptions.

You can also change the reorder form to include additional text so that patients can quickly identify PRN repeat items.

Note - The term As Needed is used synonymously with As Required or PRN.

Therapy Add - Using PRN Dosage Codes

Adding a drug with an As Needed dosage instruction automatically selects a PRN option on Therapy - Add, this can however, be deselected.

The following dosage codes apply:

  • PRN
  • When required
  • As required
  • If required
  • When needed
  • As needed
  • If needed
  • Practice defined dosage codes that contain ‘As Needed’ instructions
  • Dosage instructions that contain ‘PRN’ instructions within them. For example, '1-2 puffs four times a day as required'.

Note - PRN printing settings are set up from Management Tools - Control Panel. See Management Tools - Therapy Settings for details.

Therapy Add - Non-PRN Dosage Instructions

The option to select PRN is available for all drugs and not limited to drugs with 'As Needed' dosage instructions. Tick PRN to print medication on a separate prescription:

Note - To print this topic select Print in the top right corner and follow the on-screen prompts.