advertisement
Reply
Thread Tools Display Modes
Anonymous46341
Guest
Anonymous46341 has no updates. Edit
 
Posts: n/a
Default Nov 26, 2019 at 10:43 AM
  #1
I thought I'd create a thread specifically about PRN ("as needed") medications for use in controlling psych (not side effect) issues. I know that many of us have them at our disposal, or even use a med or two, like a PRN.

Does your psychiatrist prescribe or recommend use of a PRN medication? If so what? When/how do you use it/them? If you have two or more, what makes you use one over another? When does an adjustment of one of your base medications become necessary? If you have a base medication, that is.

PRN or p.r.n. means "pro re nata" in Latin, approximately meaning "for an occasion that has arisen".
  Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
 
Hugs from:
bpcyclist, MickeyCheeky, xRavenx
 
Thanks for this!
*Beth*, bpcyclist, MickeyCheeky, xRavenx

advertisement
luvyrself
Poohbah
 
luvyrself's Avatar
luvyrself has no updates.
 
Member Since: Dec 2015
Location: Phoenix
Posts: 1,280
8 yr Member
136 hugs
given
PC PoohBah!
Default Nov 26, 2019 at 11:05 AM
  #2
I take it to mean “as needed”. Great thread, BD!

__________________
Bipolar 2 with anxious distress
mixed states & rapid cycling under severe stress
tegretol 200 mg
wellbutrin 75 mg, cut in half or higher dose as needed
Regular aerobic exercise
SKILLSET/KNOWLEDGE BASE:
Family Medical Advocate
Masters in Library Science
Multiple Subject Teaching Credential-15 yrs in public schools
luvyrself is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
 
Hugs from:
Anonymous46341, bpcyclist, MickeyCheeky
 
Thanks for this!
MickeyCheeky
Anonymous46341
Guest
Anonymous46341 has no updates. Edit
 
Posts: n/a
Default Nov 26, 2019 at 11:38 AM
  #3
Thanks, yes it means "as needed".

My psychiatrist prescribes small doses of Ativan (lorazepam) and regular Seroquel (quetiapine) that I can take only "as needed" when I experience mood issues that my base med cocktail doesn't handle sufficiently. They are not for daily use and he assigns a limit to the number I can take, and approximately how many days in a period. If my need exceeds these limits, he wants to know, then usually he increases (or occasionally decreases) a dosage of a daily base medication in my cocktail.

In the past, I tended to choose the Ativan over the Seroquel, but now I've learned that, in some cases, Seroquel is the better choice. It depends on my symptoms. Pure anxiety with no mood issues is often helped better by my Ativan, but Seroquel can help that, too. If I am having breakthrough hypomania/mania symptoms, agitation, or mixed state, Seroquel is usually the best for me.

I don't want to rely on a benzo any more than necessary. I'm trying to use the Seroquel as a PRN more, for that reason. However, sedation is a consideration in my choice. If I am getting manic, Seroquel calms it a bit, but not to fatigue. If I am anxious, but not elevated in mood, I like that the Ativan doesn't sedate me. It's odd, though. Ativan never sedates me during the day, but does help me sleep at night, but so does the extra Seroquel. Again, I think my choice at night depends on the symptoms.

Last edited by Anonymous46341; Nov 26, 2019 at 11:59 AM..
  Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
 
Hugs from:
bpcyclist
Anonymous43918
Guest
Anonymous43918 has no updates. Edit
 
Posts: n/a
Default Nov 26, 2019 at 01:31 PM
  #4
If I obeyed my doctor, I'd be taking 1mg of Ativan scheduled three times a day. I take it every night to help with sleep and I'll take another dose during the day if I feel it need it, as in, having trouble with anxiety or restlessness. I was supposed to have a Haldol PRN when I left the hospital, but the IP pdoc didn't send the rx over and I just haven't thought to bring it up with my pdoc, but I probably will next time I see one because I feel like it would be beneficial when my psychotic symptoms are acting up despite the risperdal, which I get the injectable version of every two weeks.
  Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
 
Hugs from:
Anonymous46341, bpcyclist
still_crazy
Grand Poohbah
still_crazy has no updates.
 
Member Since: Oct 2016
Location: United States of America
Posts: 1,792
5 yr Member
3,342 hugs
given
Default Nov 26, 2019 at 01:50 PM
  #5
prn low dose gabapentin, prn extra abilify to top off my 15mgs/daily. works for me, i don't see the harm in it...
still_crazy is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
 
Hugs from:
Anonymous46341, bpcyclist
bpcyclist
Legendary
 
bpcyclist's Avatar
bpcyclist has no updates.
 
Member Since: Sep 2019
Location: Portland
Posts: 12,681 (SuperPoster!)
3 yr Member
40.2k hugs
given
PC PoohBah!
Default Nov 26, 2019 at 02:38 PM
  #6
Awesome thread, BD!! Well, as my sig indicates, right now I officially have just the Zyprexa as a prn for 'emergency' sleep issues, which is hilarious, because every single night is a sleep 'emergency.' I just can't sleep anymore. We've tried nearly everything. I do have a 20-lb blanket on back order. Maybe that will help. Buying a really nice pillow for myself for the holidays. And, just in case anyone wonders, we have stopped the Provigil (and the Adderall before it) and the sleep did not budge. Sigh.

As some are aware, I became quite manic and psychotic last week. Dr. C first resumed the Abilify, which I had unwisely stopped due to some hand movement SE. It's now back at 30 mg/day. When symptoms worsened, he then added Seroquel at just 25 mg qHS (bedtime), hoping that it might help me sleep, which in turn, might budge the psychosis a bit. It helped for a few days and then, no more sleep help. My pattern. Now, whether at this very low dosage there is any other benefit, I dunno. I was on 200 before. I doubt it is doing anything but making more expensive urine.

A good example of how complex it is to take care of people like me is that the 'emergency sleep' Zyprexa was supposed to be d/c'd when the Seroquel started at the time of this big relapse. The pharmacy didn't get the message and they keep texting me to come pick up the Zyprexa. Supposedly 10-15 mg qHS (prn). It is extremely tempting as someone who can't sleep, and who gets psychotic and manic when sleep-deprived, very tempting to go fill that rx and take it every night. Because I am suffering.

But I don't. The pharmacist b****ed at me the other day when I was getting my Provigil for not picking up the Zyprexa. Had no idea how to respond to that in, like, ten words or less.

This is way too long! Sorry! But I guess it illustrates how tough it can be to figure out how to manage these prn's in an illness that is by definition, cyclical. Oh well. What are you gonna do...

__________________
When I was a kid, my parents moved a lot, but I always found them--Rodney Dangerfield
bpcyclist is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
 
Hugs from:
*Beth*, Anonymous46341, still_crazy
 
Thanks for this!
still_crazy
Victoria'smom
Legendary
 
Victoria'smom's Avatar
Victoria'smom has no updates.
 
Member Since: Apr 2012
Location: Earth
Posts: 14,880 (SuperPoster!)
10 yr Member
5,415 hugs
given
PC PoohBah!
Default Nov 26, 2019 at 08:24 PM
  #7
I have ambien PRN. If I haven't slept in 2 days I'm to take the ambien. She'd rather me take it more often then that. Now I have taken it as a last resort before the hospital but honestly I don't use it often.

__________________
Dx:
Me- SzA
Husband- Bipolar 1
Daughter- mood disorder+


Comfortable broken and happy

"So I don't know why I'm tongue tied At the wrong time when I need this."- P!nk
My blog
Victoria'smom is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
 
Hugs from:
Anonymous46341, bpcyclist, still_crazy
 
Thanks for this!
still_crazy
Guiness187055
Elder
 
Guiness187055's Avatar
Guiness187055 has no updates.
 
Member Since: Mar 2017
Location: Florida
Posts: 5,057
5 yr Member
970 hugs
given
PC PoohBah!
Default Nov 27, 2019 at 04:16 PM
  #8
I take xanax as needed for agitation, panic and anxiety. I also take temazepam for sleep as a prn. I usually take the temazepam every night but rarely take the xanax.

__________________



Guiness187055
Moderator
Community support team
Guiness187055 is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
 
Hugs from:
Anonymous46341, bpcyclist
*Beth*
catches the flowers
*Beth* is practicing healthy breathing for brain, mind, body, spirit.
 
Member Since: Jul 2019
Location: Downtown Vibes, California
Posts: 15,701 (SuperPoster!)
3 yr Member
23.7k hugs
given
PC PoohBah!
Default Nov 28, 2019 at 11:06 AM
  #9
I'm on 2mgs/day of Klonopin and am to take 3mg if I feel anxious and amped up.

I am also on 12.5mg of Zyprexa per day. I have recently experienced psychosis, so Dr. W., my pdoc, has told me to take an additional 2.5 Zyprexa prn if I feel too agitated.

I've been on the K-pin for such a long time that the 1 extra mg barely does anything. I have not tried the 2.5 extra of Zyprexa yet.

__________________




*Beth* is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
 
Hugs from:
Anonymous46341, bpcyclist
 
Thanks for this!
still_crazy
unicornlady
Member
 
unicornlady's Avatar
unicornlady has no updates.
 
Member Since: Nov 2014
Location: The Forest
Posts: 200
8 yr Member
36 hugs
given
Default Dec 01, 2019 at 01:37 AM
  #10
I used to have PRN gabapentin, but I was almost never using it, which I shared with my pdoc at some point. She discontinued that prescription, so now I have zero PRN meds.

__________________
Bipolar 1, GAD
Lithium 900mg, Gabapentin 700mg, Zyprexa 10mg
unicornlady is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
 
Hugs from:
Anonymous46341, bpcyclist
xRavenx
Magnate
 
xRavenx's Avatar
xRavenx has no updates.
 
Member Since: Jun 2016
Location: U.S.
Posts: 2,570
5 yr Member
8,123 hugs
given
PC PoohBah!
Default Dec 07, 2019 at 04:51 PM
  #11
I take PRN clonazepam for anxiety and to take the edge off of any symptoms I am having. It varies how much I take it, but on average, four days during the week. There will be periods of time when I am in an episode where my pdoc recommends that I take it once daily though.

__________________
Bipolar 1 Disorder, Unspecified Anxiety Disorder
xRavenx is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
 
Hugs from:
Anonymous46341, bpcyclist
 
Thanks for this!
bpcyclist
Wander
Grand Magnate
 
Wander's Avatar
Wander exists in a dualistic state...
 
Member Since: Jul 2014
Location: Milky Way
Posts: 4,746
8 yr Member
2,611 hugs
given
PC PoohBah!
Default Dec 08, 2019 at 06:55 PM
  #12
My pRN's change with the circumstances. I take a regular dose of Clonazepam (3 mg right now), but take 2.5 mg of Lorazepam three times daily right now as I am very unwell. I also take Haloperidol for agitation, 5 mg three times a day, and Seroquel for sleep. When I am stable all I take is Ziprasidone (Geodon), Lithium, and the lowest amount of Clonazepam I can take without going into withdraws. I have been trying to taper off of Benzos but keep getting hit with episodes/PTSD that leads me to take higher doses to get an effect. Once I am stable I plan to stop all PRN, and slowly reduce my Benzos.

__________________
Bipolar 1 with psychotic features
PTSD




"Phew! For a minute there I lost myself."

'Karma Police' by Radiohead
Wander is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
 
Hugs from:
Anonymous46341
Blue_Bird
Legendary Wise Elder
 
Blue_Bird's Avatar
Blue_Bird is ready for recovery!
 
Member Since: Jun 2013
Location: Hogwarts
Posts: 36,661 (SuperPoster!)
10 yr Member
14.3k hugs
given
PC PoohBah!
Default Dec 08, 2019 at 09:19 PM
  #13
I'm prescribed Klonopin to take as needed, I don't take it often but when I really need it and do take it, it's pretty effective

__________________


R.I.P mom 8/6/55-1/15/16

“All the darkness in the world cannot extinguish the light of a single candle.” -St. Francis of Assisi
Blue_Bird is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
 
Hugs from:
Anonymous46341
Merlin
Magnate
 
Merlin's Avatar
Merlin is holding onto hope and happiness.
 
Member Since: May 2004
Location: Alberta, Canada
Posts: 2,316
15 yr Member
548 hugs
given
PC PoohBah!
Default Dec 08, 2019 at 10:25 PM
  #14
I take prn Zopiclone 7.5 for sleep if I am not asleep by 1:00 a.m. Sometimes I’ll start with a 1/2 a pill.

I have taken prn ativan when in hospital.

__________________
It is said an Eastern monarch once charged his wise men to invent him a sentence, to be ever in view, and which should be true and appropriate in all times and situations. They presented him the words: "And this, too, shall pass away." How much it expresses! How chastening in the hour of pride! How consoling in the depths of affliction!
---"Address before the Wisconsin State Agricultural Society". Abraham Lincoln Online. Milwaukee, Wisconsin. September 30, 1859.
Merlin is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
 
Hugs from:
Anonymous46341
Pookyl
Poohbah
 
Pookyl's Avatar
Pookyl has no updates.
 
Member Since: Aug 2017
Location: Australia
Posts: 1,435
5 yr Member
79 hugs
given
PC PoohBah!
Default Dec 19, 2019 at 11:17 PM
  #15
I have three PRN’s:
Saphris 5mg for manic, depressive breakthroughs/episodes

Seroquel IR 12.5-25mg if I haven’t slept for two nights

Valium 5mg for anxiety not responsive to non-medicated actions taken

__________________
Pookyl
————————————————————————————
BP1, GAD, Panic Disorder, Agoraphobia, Claustrophobia

Psych meds: Saphris, Seroquel XR, regular Seroquel.
PRN Diazepam and Zopiclone
Pookyl is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
 
Hugs from:
Anonymous46341
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:27 AM.
Powered by vBulletin® — Copyright © 2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.



 

My Support Forums

My Support Forums is the online community that was originally begun as the Psych Central Forums in 2001. It now runs as an independent self-help support group community for mental health, personality, and psychological issues and is overseen by a group of dedicated, caring volunteers from around the world.

 

Helplines and Lifelines

The material on this site is for informational purposes only, and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment provided by a qualified health care provider.

Always consult your doctor or mental health professional before trying anything you read here.