I suffer from severe back pain. I have a slipped disk that I got from a fall down my stairs. Anyways, my doctor has prescribed me vicodin. With two refills. Ive refilled some already. I usually put my request in for refills via online request because its easier for me, and then go in and pick up. Anyways, Ive noticed that my refill number allowed is NOT going down. A lot of my other prescriptions (birth control etc) have all gone down each time I refill. My vicodin however is not. Its still the same and even listed on my bottle with so and so refills left. Is this a technical error or what? Should I be concerned?
2007-12-07 16:20:44 · 6 answers · asked by Cheryl 2 in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Pain & Pain Management
Well my script went like this: 30 pills.
Take 1 or 2 pills every 6 hours for pain. With two refills. Ive refilled it twice already. And it still says I have two refills. thats why I am confused.
2007-12-07 16:34:40 · update #1
It depends.
If your doctor ordered more than 30 days worth to begin with, and your insurance company only allows you 30 days worth, than the computer would have short-filled your prescription and the number of refills on your label will not go down with each refill, they will go down with each completion of the originally prescribed amount. The computer does a wierd kind of math with this that humans don't calculate.
If, however, your doctor ordered only a limited amount and the number isn't going down, you need to be concerned.
Your best bet is to call the pharmacy and ask why your number of refills is not reducing.
2007-12-07 16:32:15 · answer #1 · answered by javadic 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
actually, vicodin is not a narcotic like previously stated, its a controlled substance. It is allowed to have up to six refills, and if any refills are not used within six months the prescription has expired and you must obtain a new rx. now regarding your question --
1) do you perhaps have an older bottle to compare with another? i ask this only because if the RX number has changed, at one point the walgreens computer system automatically faxed your doctor for a new rx and they in turn authorized two more refills.
2) but most likely your doctor originally wrote the prescription for a quantity that your insurance would not allow for one fill and the remainer added onto your refills. it would not specify this on your bottle, and the only way to know is if you looked at the original before filling it, or calling the pharmacy. Please note: each RX goes by the number of tablets remaining on the prescription - and the refill number can be skewed. For instance, if your doctor originally wrote for #60 with two refills, that is 180 tablets all together, right? And if you only received #30, you would essentially have 150 tablets left on the prescription because you do not lose any tablets. If you kept filling it your bottle will still say you have "2 refills remaining before xx date" and until you only have #30 left your bottle would then say 1 refill.
It's confusing - I know. But i hope that is clear enough so you can understand.
2007-12-08 04:04:12 · answer #2 · answered by MzS 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It could be a computer error. Normally, the computer will automatically deduct a refill each time you refill. However, if your insurance limits the number of tablets per fill, we will do a partial fill, and it won't actually be a refill until we finish the partial fills. A prescription for vicodin is valid up to 6 months with 5 refills.
2007-12-08 09:21:19 · answer #3 · answered by Lea 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can tell the doctor you had back surgery a couple of years ago from a spinal cord injuries and you've been using this drug for quite some time now,but since you move far from your doctor you can't no longer get a prescription from him.Remember that this is a highly addictive drug that can ruin your life for good so think about it.You can also get vicodin and oxycontin online without a prescription.i am giving you this reference thinking that you have a real need for this pills not for drug abuse xD.So if you get an overdose tomorrow don't tell your parents some online dude told you to do it,because i did not.
2016-05-22 02:56:38 · answer #4 · answered by karine 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Normally narcotics should not have refills. I would contact the pharmacy and let your doctor know that they are making the error of not reducing the number of refills on prescriptions. It could be serious if someone were to become addicted and the doc doesnt even know the person is still taking a med.
2007-12-07 16:24:36 · answer #5 · answered by smcp1965 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋
I've ahd refills for vicoden before since it is a lower end narcotic, but it also depends upon the state laws wher you live.
This could be a technical error, it has happened to my son before and husband. I would call the pharmacy personally and speak to them, because if this is happening with your prescriptions than it may be happening to someone else, and they may not be as honest.
2007-12-07 16:29:06 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Dude. Go with it! You're lucky!!!
I can't even get a refill on mine. I get a 2 week supply and have to go to the doctor's office each time to get another script.
2007-12-10 05:48:20 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I wouldn't be concerned. I would actually enjoy an error like that!!!. That's more for you.!!! Take some extra and feel the buzz!!!!! =D
2007-12-07 16:28:45 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋