Who prescribes for themselves or family

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I started this conversation with a group last week, and thought I would continue it here.

How many of you prescribe for yourself, or family or friends?

How long have you been practicing?

Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

The only friends I prescribe for are other NPs or physicians. I also write a brief note describing the encounter/indication and that the person has a history of taking med without adverse reaction. The people I know who have been burned for prescribing to someone who technically isn't a patient ran into problems because they didn't do any documentation. I don't ever prescribe for myself, family or non-provider friends. I have my provider friends do that. :)

Do you AutomotiveRN67?

Specializes in Internal Medicine.

I don't prescribe for family at all, and most of my closest friends are also my patients, so if they message me that they need something very basic, I'm happy to help them out without the cost of a copay. Never controlled substances or things like antidepressants without an office visit and proper evaluation.

I would never prescribe for myself. When you know so many providers there's no need to.

Specializes in Psychiatric Nursing.

No. Only prescribe for people I have a patient relationship with. Most boards of nursing prohibit prescribing for self/friends/family. Most BONs specify you need to assess people before prescribing. I am strict about the rules when I know them.

Specializes in Psychiatric Nursing.

No. Only prescribe for people I have a patient relationship with. Most boards of nursing prohibit prescribing for self/friends/family. Most BONs specify you need to assess people before prescribing. I am strict about the rules when I know them.

Specializes in Outpatient Psychiatry.

I haven't done this yet, but I'm on the fence as well. The old BON here has no express stipulation against prescribing for self or family. They do require a written assessment, but it's up to us to determine what an assessment entails. In psychiatry, most of my wares aren't of interest to either myself or my family. If Iwere in family practice the story would of course be different. If I remain in my virgin scope then my own at work prescribing would be somewhat limited. Of course, there I branch out and prescribe such things as cyclobenzaprine, ondansetron, desmopressin, propranolol, et al. I will also refill such staples as levothyroxine and metformin, etc. This is one reason I cite that all NPs should be trained and credentialed generalists in addition to having their niche focus. My wife takes eszopiclone or tizanadine for sleep. My mother takes sertraline prescribed by her PCP. I will probably take that prescription over as she reports it doesn't seem to help, but of course she's only taking 50mg daily. My personal need is cetirizine which I can readily procure OTC, but I prefer name brand ZyrtecD. It's the "D" that makes it hard to get, and the stupid hoops that one must go through to procure it has lended me to the mindset of it being one that I may start calling in for myself. As I prefaced earlier, I'm on the fence over this. There is some backstory to this and something I"d more likely share in a PM, but I have little respect for my state's BON and doubt their objectivity so I'll like pass on the ZyrtecD for the near future.

Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.
I haven't done this yet, but I'm on the fence as well. The old BON here has no express stipulation against prescribing for self or family. They do require a written assessment, but it's up to us to determine what an assessment entails. In psychiatry, most of my wares aren't of interest to either myself or my family. If Iwere in family practice the story would of course be different. If I remain in my virgin scope then my own at work prescribing would be somewhat limited. Of course, there I branch out and prescribe such things as cyclobenzaprine, ondansetron, desmopressin, propranolol, et al. I will also refill such staples as levothyroxine and metformin, etc. This is one reason I cite that all NPs should be trained and credentialed generalists in addition to having their niche focus. My wife takes eszopiclone or tizanadine for sleep. My mother takes sertraline prescribed by her PCP. I will probably take that prescription over as she reports it doesn't seem to help, but of course she's only taking 50mg daily. My personal need is cetirizine which I can readily procure OTC, but I prefer name brand ZyrtecD. It's the "D" that makes it hard to get, and the stupid hoops that one must go through to procure it has lended me to the mindset of it being one that I may start calling in for myself. As I prefaced earlier, I'm on the fence over this. There is some backstory to this and something I"d more likely share in a PM, but I have little respect for my state's BON and doubt their objectivity so I'll like pass on the ZyrtecD for the near future.

In general I am only asked by provider friends who I would consider doing it for in a pinch. I don't do any long term prescribing for someone who isn't a bonafide patient. I'll do zofran, antibiotics, Ambien etc. but again in rare occasions not on a regular basis.

Its just not that cumbersome or expensive to have regular health care, imo. It could also be construed as conflict of interest imo to prescribe mental health meds long term for family. My advice would be let Mom's doc sort out her SSRI. For a stable, uncompliacted patient I'll even give them a 6 or 12 month supply so I don't think that is an undue burden to come see me that often. Since its a fairly long term need why not just ask your pcp to write for your ZyrtecD? Mine will give me most anything I ask for if I go see him once a year for a physical.

Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

Great thread OP. I love this its practical stuff for those of us who are actually clinicians! Come back and share your perspective.

Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

I'm in IL and have a close friend who is a PA who "in a pinch" Rx'd a relative with antibiotics. She was fined and censured.

At least in IL, its not worth it.

Specializes in Outpatient Psychiatry.
In general I am only asked by provider friends who I would consider doing it for in a pinch. I don't do any long term prescribing for someone who isn't a bonafide patient. I'll do zofran, antibiotics, Ambien etc. but again in rare occasions not on a regular basis.

Its just not that cumbersome or expensive to have regular health care, imo. It could also be construed as conflict of interest imo to prescribe mental health meds long term for family. My advice would be let Mom's doc sort out her SSRI. For a stable, uncompliacted patient I'll even give them a 6 or 12 month supply so I don't think that is an undue burden to come see me that often. Since its a fairly long term need why not just ask your pcp to write for your ZyrtecD? Mine will give me most anything I ask for if I go see him once a year for a physical.

Oh, I just have a rash of excuses.

Regarding mom's doc. He seems like the typical FP we deal with - throw some benzos. He diagnosed her anxiety nos last year and started her on Xanax tid. Through my encouragement, she returned and asked for something else.

I actually don't have a PCP. Yes, typical man - I won't go to the doctor. The reality is I relocated over a year ago and never sought out a PCP although I used to only seem him for wellness exams and my coveted stuffy nose remedy. I went with my wife to her PCP once thinking I might recruit him and being the observant type some things made me "Google" him. After seeing him in speedos, oiled up and flexing I can't take him seriously enough to go back!

Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.
Oh, I just have a rash of excuses.

Regarding mom's doc. He seems like the typical FP we deal with - throw some benzos. He diagnosed her anxiety nos last year and started her on Xanax tid. Through my encouragement, she returned and asked for something else.

I actually don't have a PCP. Yes, typical man - I won't go to the doctor. The reality is I relocated over a year ago and never sought out a PCP although I used to only seem him for wellness exams and my coveted stuffy nose remedy. I went with my wife to her PCP once thinking I might recruit him and being the observant type some things made me "Google" him. After seeing him in speedos, oiled up and flexing I can't take him seriously enough to go back!

Ok so to appeal to the practical manly, or for the gals out there reading this aka stubborn ;), part of this equation. Get yourself a PCP! Here's how I view it, every single Doc I acquaint myself with is a potential colleague and maybe even friend. One of our closest couples friends is a Doc I met doing medical floor consults. I go see my PCP, who was recommended by a doctor I know, and it isn't unpleasant. He is a nice smart guy who treats me like a colleague and we refer the occasional patient to each other. In most areas we are an incestual group so my physician contacts are invaluable. If you ever need a specialist being the friend of a friend will put you on the fast track to an appointment and I'm not too proud to take advantage of that perk.

As for Mom, you are in the business, send her to a well respected colleague for sorting through her anxiety and depression meds. It sounds as if the PCP fell short, as many do, and my guess would be if she were on a reasonable dose of a SSRI in the matter of 6 months unless predominantly anxious she could easily be turfed off on her PCP.

BTW tell your wife to dump that dude because any doc with the lack of insight to post a ridiculous picture like that would have me running for the hills also, lol.

Specializes in Peds Med/Surg; Peds Skilled Nursing.

I prescribe for myself for stuff like inhalers, antibiotics,etc. i have prescribed for my friends' kids if they and cannot see their provider for reasons like being on vacation... But only for minor things like poison ivy, rashes or allergies.

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