Understanding Narx Scores in Akute

Narx Scores are tools designed to help providers quickly assess a patient’s exposure to controlled substances, based on data from state Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs (PDMPs). They are not meant to replace clinical judgment, but rather to provide context for safe prescribing.

What Narx Scores Measure

Narx Scores are calculated separately for three categories:

• Narcotics
• Sedatives
• Stimulants

Each score ranges from 000–999:

• The first two digits represent the patient’s relative risk/exposure compared to others in the state PDMP.
• The last digit shows the number of active prescriptions in that category.

How Scores Are Calculated

Scores are based on PDMP data including:

• Number of prescribers
• Number of pharmacies used
• Total dosage or days supplied
• Number of overlapping prescriptions

These factors are considered over 2 months, 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years. More recent activity increases the score more heavily than older activity.

How to Interpret Scores

• Below 200: Low exposure, typically limited use with few providers/pharmacies.
• 200–500: Moderate exposure, often consistent with guidelines.
• Above 500: High exposure, often involving multiple providers, pharmacies, or overlapping prescriptions.

Note: Less than 1% of patients will have a score above 650. A score of 000 means there wasn’t enough data to generate a score, not necessarily that the patient has no exposure.

Important Reminder

Narx Scores should never be used alone to decide whether or not to prescribe. They are intended as a guide to review PDMP data more closely and support safe, informed decision-making.