In virginia, Codeine is legal to purchase without a prescription, as long as the amount of codeine per dosage unit is within the legal limits for non-prescription sales. If you don't believe me, go to page 92 at the webpage "http://www.dhp.virginia.gov/pharmacy/leg/Pharmacy%20Law%202007-8-23-07.doc" and there's a paragraph explaining the rules about all that. The problem is, I have back aches sometimes that get fairly acute, but I can't keep going to the Doc everytime it happens... that costs money, and money is tight right now, and ibuprofen/ acetiminophen/ naproxen/ etodolac... all those don't work.. i've been prescribed those already seeing how they're not narcotics or whatnot.... Knowing that codeine can be sold w/o a prescription, i've tried asking pharmacies if i can purchase some, they all told me no. How can I convince them without looking like someone who's just trying to abuse the codeine instead of using it for actual pain?
2007-11-21 00:17:56 · 7 answers · asked by zeek 3 in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Pain & Pain Management
If you've been treated by a physician recently for your back pain, there's no reason you can't just call in and ask them to call in a prescription for you. Pharmacists have laws to abide by and they're not going to break the law and risk their jobs for someone looking for codeine. Call your doctor.
2007-11-21 00:27:52 · answer #1 · answered by OhKatie! 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Most people who have back problems have found a way to deal with the back pain without reverting to the use of codeine. Large doses of ibuprofen, muscle relaxers, heat, gentle stretching and increasing your daily exercise will all help people with chronic back pain but these have to be done daily - often several times a day in order to keep the pain under control. Relying on medication only does not make your back pain better - it only dulls the pain for a short time. You need to do things that will make it better all the time. The pharmacies have probably checked with other pharmacies in your area and find that you have purchased a lot more codeine than most people ever use and now view you as a narcotic seeker and that is probably why they won't sell any more to you so........you need to find other ways to get the back pain under control. Daily exercise (just walking) does help!
2007-11-21 00:25:54 · answer #2 · answered by J B 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I too suffer from back pain after lifting a patient and tearing 2 discs. Rather than pain meds, try muscle relaxers. These were a God send for me. I rarely have to take one now and its only been about 4 yrs since my surgery. Heat will help, but put it on for 20 minutes and off for 20 minutes. This way you don't burn yourself unknowingly. Ibuprofen will help if there is swelling and you can take up to 800mg every 8 hours. Good luck.
2007-11-21 00:30:53 · answer #3 · answered by tmahurin22 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The codeine you can buy as an exempt narcotic is for cough. It is normally in a liquid formulation. No pharmacy is forced to sell exempt narcotics as OTC. It is the individual pharmacy choice. Most don't because they don't want to be known as a druggie haven.
2007-11-21 01:07:17 · answer #4 · answered by Lea 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Lea got it right. Besides you say nothing about what is causing your pain, just the drugs you gotta have. That type of behavior will not have the pharmacist wanting to help you
2007-11-22 18:47:05 · answer #5 · answered by jloertscher 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Show them a medical statement by a certified doctor/medical practitioner.
2007-11-21 00:25:39 · answer #6 · answered by Bananaman 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Maybe a letter from your doctor?
BTW have you tried a pain clinic?
2007-11-21 00:26:25 · answer #7 · answered by Criss_Mousse 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋