Chronic Living Blog

I want to break down a medication prescription. It gives the directions on how to take your meds.

Metoprolol tartrate (Lopressor) 25 mg PO bid PRN.

This is how the doctor will often write the script. The pharmacy will print it out in easier to understand terms.

In this example, the name of the medication, with the brand name is listed. [Metoprolol tartrate (Lopressor)]

Then the dose and unit of the pills in the bottle. [25 mg ]

The route [PO] is the next section. PO means by mouth in latin.

Next is the frequency [bid PRN]. This is shorthand for twice a day [bid] as needed [PRN].

It’s important to read and understand the order. To translate the order, it should read like this:

Metoprolol tartrate (Lopressor) 25 mg by mouth, twice a day, as needed

Now it is more clear, but it does not say as needed for what??? This is where you need to talk to your doctor about parameters, or specific directions.

This is a blood pressure medication that lowers blood pressure and it lowers heart rate. The parameters you are looking for are:

1. When should I take it? As needed for what???
2. When should I NOT take it? If the heart rate or blood pressure is too low, what is that number?
3. What does too much or too little look like? Learn to recognize these signs and get instructions on how to manage it.

This is what the complete instructions should look like:

Metoprolol tartrate (Lopressor) 25 mg by mouth, twice a day, as needed for systolic BP over XXX, do not take if heart rate is below XXX