If a prescription says 'take it prn', what does that suggest about the timing?

When a prescription states 'take it prn', it indicates that the medication should be taken "as needed" rather than at regular intervals. This instruction means that the patient should assess their symptoms and only take the medication when they feel it is necessary, rather than adhering to a strict schedule. The flexibility of "prn" allows for patient autonomy and tailored use based on individual circumstances, which is particularly important in situations involving pain relief or symptom management. Other timing instructions, such as taking before or after meals, imply a routine schedule and are not applicable when a medication is prescribed with a prn consideration.