What does PRN mean in a medication context?

PRN is an abbreviation derived from the Latin term "pro re nata," which translates to "as needed." In medication administration, this means that a medication can be taken or administered when required by the patient rather than on a regular schedule. This allows flexibility in managing a patient’s symptoms or conditions, such as pain or anxiety, without the necessity of taking a dose at fixed intervals. This approach is particularly helpful for medications used to treat conditions that vary in intensity, enabling patients to take their medication based on their individual needs.

In contrast, the other terms denote specific timing or frequency related to medication dosing, which does not capture the essence of PRN. For instance, "before meals" indicates a specific timing requirement, while "every day" and "at bedtime" specify a fixed schedule for administration, which is fundamentally different from taking medication as needed.