do doctor's have to write "prn"(as needed) on a prescription for narcotics?

Answer 1

no, not if they tell you as needed. the pharmacist doesnt care how often you take them

Answer 2

They don't have to write PRN. They only write it to let the patient to only take the medication AS NEEDED. When you work in healthcare, you have to assume that everyone is stupid and spell things out. LOL. It's sad, but it's the way it is. So, if your prescription says : Take 1 to 2 tablets by mouth every 4 to 6 hours as needed, that means that you should take the minimum amount NEEDED and only WHEN needed . But, you can't exceed these limits.

Answer 3

I get 120 Percocett a month and my doctor always wrights it; 2 every 4 hours PRN

Answer 4

No, if he writes PRN it means to take it if you need it--you don't have to take it every 4-6 hours or everyday or even at all.

Answer 5

It's really common sense for both the doctor and the athlete to ask if it's a banned substance, but in today's society there barely is common sense anymore.

Answer 6

It depends. For example, my Oxycontin scrip says "Take 1 tablet every 12 hours" because it is my maintenance medication. I take it whether I am hurting right then or not to prevent the pain from ever happening. My Oxy IR scrip says "Take 2 tablets every six hours as needed for breakthrough pain", because it is my rescue med. I only take it if I need to relieve pain that is "breaking through" the Oxycontin.

Think of it this way... it's like Advair and Albuterol. Advair is taken twice a day whether you're having an athsma attack or not, to prevent attacks from happening. Then, if you have an athsma attack, you use your rescue inhaler to relieve the attack.

Answer 7

No...some narcotics require continuous use at regular intervals to relieve pain

Answer 8

take as needed..yes,,,refill as needed? nah huh

Answer 9

dont know