Pro re nata

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Pro re nata - Latin literally meaning "For the thing born," but commonly used to mean "as needed" or "as the situation arises."

It is generally used as the acronym PRN in medicine to refer to dosage of prescribed medication that is not scheduled; instead administration is left to the caregiver or the patient's prerogative.

Common PRN medications

Most often PRN medications are analgesics such as paracetamol (Tylenol), which is known as acetaminophen in the US, or hydrocodone (Vicodin), laxatives such as coloxyl, sleeping aids (sedatives) such as zolpidem (Ambien) or lorazepam (Ativan), and antiemetics such as ondansetron or dimenhydrinate (Gravol).

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