Note, many EHRs allow you to simply type “PRN Medications” to bring up power sets that allow you to choose prn meds. Check yours. It could make your job easier.
Common Comfort or PRN Meds for Inpatient and Outpatient use.
Pain control
Pain management – PRN Medications.
Antipyretics
Acetaminophen(Tylenol) 650mg PO q6h PRN pain, fever
Acetaminophen (Tylenol) 650 mg Rectal suppository, Q4hr PRN fever
Motrin (Ibuprofen) 400mg PO q6h PRN fever
Antidotes and rescue agents
Naloxone(Narcan) 0.4mg SC/IM/IV q2-3 min prn for narcotic induced respiratory depression.
Anxiolytics, Sedatives, hypnotics
LORazepam (Ativan) 0.5 mg PO, one tab q6h prn for anxiety.
Alprazolam (Xanax) 0.25 mg PO, one tab q6h prn for anxiety.
LORazepam (Ativan) 0.5 mg = 0.25 mL, IV Push, Q4hr
Zolpidem (Ambien) 5 mg PO, one tab Q Bedtime, prn for Insomnia
Laxatives(for constipation)
See Constipation Medications and dosages for how to treat constipation inpatient and outpatient.
Antacids/Anti-flatulence
Aluminum hydroxide/Magnesium hydroxide/Simethicone (Mylanta Maximum Strength) susp 200mg/200mg/20mg per 5ml. Take 10-20ml PO qid PRN for flatulence/Indigestion. Give 1-3h after meals and at bedtime.
Simethicone 40-360 mg PO qid prn for flatulence/indigestion. Chew tabs before swallowing; Take after meals or at bedtime.
Antidiarrheals
Imodium, Lomotil, and Pepto-Bismol. See Antidiarrheal Medications page for dosages and instructions.
Antiemetics
Ondansetron(Zofran) 8mg PO q8hr prn for nausea and/or vomiting
Ondansetron(Zofran) 4mg IV q8hr prn for nausea and/or vomiting
Promethazine (Phenergan) – can be given PO, IM, and Rectally; prn for nausea and/or vomiting.
Prochlorperazine(Compazine) – can be given PO, IV, and rectally; prn for nausea and/or vomiting.
Metoclopramide(Reglan) – can be given PO/IM/IV; prn for nausea and/or vomiting.
Antitussive
Guaifenesin 200mg liquid, oral, Q4h, prn for cough.
Benzonatate (Tessalon Perles) 100-200mg PO tid prn for cough. Max: 600mg/day. [See Mechanism of action]
Dextromethorphan-guaifenesin (Mucinex DM) 1-2 tabs PO q12h prn. Max: 4 tabs /24hr
Codeine-Guaifenesin 10mg/100mg per 5ml solution. Take 10mL PO q4-6h prn for cough.
Promethazine-Codeine 6.25mg/10mg per 5ml solution. Take 5ml PO q4-6h prn for upper respiratory sx.
See this page for everything you need to know about upper respiratory comfort medications.
AntiPruritic
Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) 25mg PO Q6h prn for itching.
Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) 25mg IV push, Q6h prn for itching.
Blood Pressure Control
hydrALAZINE 10 mg = 0.5 mL, IV Push, Q4hr
labetalol 10 mg = 2 mL, IV Push, Q15 Min-int
labetalol 20 mg = 4 mL, IV Push, Q15 Min-int
Breathing treatment
albuterol-ipratropium (DuoNeb inhalation solution) 3 mL, Nebulizer, RT Q4hr
Other medications
nitroglycerin (Nitrostat) 0.4 mg = 1 tab, Sublingual, Q5 Min-int
potassium chloride (KCl) 40 mEq = 20 mL, IV Piggyback, QAM 8
ziprasidone (Geodon) 10 mg = 0.5 mL, IntraMuscular, Q6hr
In some EMR’s like Cerner Powerchart, you can simply type: PRN in the order search field and power sets will come up that you can use.