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Oxycodone Shortages!?

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Posted 2/6/2009 8:35 PM (GMT 0)
Hello,

I'm wondering if anyone else has been effected by a shortage of Oxycodone

I went to the pharmacy today to fill my monthly Rx and was told that they did not have any nor to their knowledge did anyone else in the state

They also did not know when they would be receiving any more.


Needless to say I'm a bit concerned by this news.

I'm not out yet and I only use it as a BT med for when my Long acting med doesn't seem to help enough but if I am not able to get it soon things might get real bad

There has been a recall on the Ethex brand of Oxycodone which is creating supply shortages on the other available manufacturers.

Post Edited (quahog) : 2/6/2009 5:57:29 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 2/7/2009 4:11 AM (GMT 0)
hmmmmmmm I will have to check when I go in for my next refill. I don't require a refill for another 8 days so I will check then.

Hugs
Scarred/ AKA.....Sleepy One
Posted 2/7/2009 4:32 AM (GMT 0)
I picked up an oxycodone script yesterday and it was a pretty big one- The only thing weird was that they didnt have my scripted dose but he just gave me twice as many in the dose he had... He just said he didnt HAVE the normal ones in, didnt SAY there was a shortage. But it wasnt ethex, either.
Im a member at a few different pain mgmt support sites and this is definitly NOT the first post in the past few days w/stories like this though. So there is definitly something going on with oxycodone.... There are posts saying people couldnt get their oxycodone all over.
When I tried to research the oxycodone shortages, the only thing I can come up with is the ethex recall?? .. ??
Hope it clears up soon enough for your meds!!
Posted 2/7/2009 5:45 AM (GMT 0)
I don't think it's an actual "shortage", I think it has to do with this recall...The pills were being shipped from out of the country and didn't meet US standards.. It should be okay by next month.

At least that's what they told me at my appt. on Wed.

Me.
Posted 2/7/2009 5:51 AM (GMT 0)
Yes from reading what other posters (on this forum and others) have written after asking their physicians and pharmacists, it seems it is all coming from this ETHEX recall, and should be straightened out pretty quickly....
Ethex must not be a very prevalent brand where I live because I NEVER see it w/any of my meds.
It sounds like some of their pills were actually more potent than they were supposed to be. Not sure how in the world that happened in the lab! That would be a shocker, to take your normal b/t and it be twice as strong.
Dangerous too!
Posted 2/7/2009 5:54 AM (GMT 0)
Quahog could you call any pharms and see if they have the alternate brand, if you do get stuck?
I know some pain docs have stipulations where you can only use one pharmacy?
From what Ive gotten out of everything, its going to be about ten days, so hopefully this will blow over before you need the b/t!
Good luck!
Jennie
Posted 2/7/2009 6:12 AM (GMT 0)
I will be ok till about Wednesday-Thursday timeframe.

The Head Pharmacist at the Wal-Mart I use said that he might be getting some in on Tuesday but he didn't seem to sure of it though.

As for filling at another pharmacy. Yes, my pain clinic does stipulate that I can only fill at this at pharmacy and it is even written on the script itself.

So, I can't do anything until Monday. I'm going to wait and see if the meds come in before calling my doc.

The folks at the pharmacy did mention that most pain clinics have been switching people to other meds but unfortunately, Oxycodone seems to be the only one that I can tolerate, and at this point that isn't saying too much but I've tried all the other medications.

As for the shortage from what I've read it stems from the recall of the Ethex and Activis brand of medications. Which has left the others with an increased demand which they can not seem to keep up with. Hopefully this does resolve or we all might be in for a difficult time

One bit of good news though, at this point in time it appears that brand name Oxycontin is not affected

Post Edited (quahog) : 2/6/2009 11:18:21 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 2/7/2009 6:29 AM (GMT 0)
I use a local, privately owned pharmacy and know the owner. He always forewarns me of any problems with my pain meds. When the generics were being done away with he somehow kept me supplied nearly until they were available again. Not sure how but I don't ask things like that. When he sold me my last dose of generics he put "no charge" on the bill because he knew I was going to have to pay a huge copay until generics came back on the market. At least they're back again because I can use generics and have no problems. So, I'm pretty confident if there were going to be a problem he would have told me soooo..I wouldn't lose any sleep over it. You may want to call somewhere besides walmart to get your pain meds. I found many years ago that the larger the pharmacy the more problems I had. Glad I have a simple solution for my pain meds now.

Chutz
Posted 2/7/2009 6:40 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the information Chutz.

To hear what my pharmacist told me today you might be thinking a bit differently.

Anyways, as for calling other pharmacies, No Go! No one within a 50-100 mile radius has any besides I couldn't fill my script at another pharmacy even if I wanted to sad
Posted 2/7/2009 9:30 AM (GMT 0)
Ok ladies and gents, you now have my curiosity peaked about this recall and shortage of medication. My big medications are as you all know Kadian which when they are filled each pill is a gel type caplet like a tylenol in size but it is a teal green but the pills are a touch bigger then that of a tylenol. So are these the ones I have to worry about? Or is it my BT meds.....my Oxycodone. Now these are generics.

Alrighty folks after further digging I have an answer for everyone went to a website named American Society of Health-Systems Pharmacists and they have a list of drugs that are discontinued, on a shortage list and whatnot. It seems that Oxycodode has been placed on this list due to the fact that; one they are down to one manufacturer making the product....2 the DEA (in all their infinite wisdom) keeps a tight control over how much is made of these drugs and only so much can be made in a year. The company is got everything on back order (if you can believe that) and it looks like we are in for a little wait for our meds ladies and gents according to this site. If this site is true I won't be seeing my medications until....who the hell knows...but anyone on the 20s will be alright mid feb. The 40s your wait time is looking at early march.

Of course this is all speculation too all so take it with a grain of salt and talk with your doctors and pharmacists to find out the real scoop. I know I will be since I am getting ready to refill quite soon and if I cannot get my oxy's then doc will have to switch me to something else for the BT pain.

Hugs

Scarred
Posted 2/7/2009 10:01 AM (GMT 0)
that's scary. i don't take oxycontin but still ... brrrrrrr.
pamela sad
Posted 2/7/2009 3:59 PM (GMT 0)
Yes it is effecting every state i live in madison,wi the pharmicist at walgreens informed me that there was a shortage as there was a recall on ethex pharmacies oxycodone which all walgreens get there oxycodone 5's from.I was given liquid oxycodone solution this actually works better and faster,so you should ask for the liquid version which tastes like a nice cherry flavored drink. yeah turn
Posted 2/7/2009 8:30 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, I had to check 4 different pharmacies until I found one who had oxycodone. Yikes! (from Tampa) Hope this ends by my next visit.
Posted 2/7/2009 8:33 PM (GMT 0)
And I was just preparing to ask my doctors aobut switching to oxycodone from percocet to minimize the tylenol. Guess I won't be doing that anytime soon.

Like we don't have it bad enough?

PaLady
Posted 2/9/2009 2:05 AM (GMT 0)
For some reason Percs make me absolutely insane. Instead of being tired, I go the opposite direction which usually leads to injuries from "over doing" house chores. zi don't react well to them....... and I have heard the same from a few people. I get headaches and sometimes a toothache as well. But that was back in the day, now they are Tylenol to me. You are not alone!!!
Posted 2/9/2009 2:10 AM (GMT 0)
kttn251977
I am right there with ya honey...Any pain meds make me hyper as all get out!!! I tend to overdue it as well. Friday night I went through my closets, my dressers, and reorganized everything in my bedroom... I am still sore today... I normally have a very hard time just standing at the sink to do the dishes without having to lean on it every 5 min. for relief... Oh yeh, and I ran the vacuum through the entire house..What was I thinking???? Am I crazy or what?

Me.
Posted 2/9/2009 5:26 AM (GMT 0)
Gosh, I wish the percs gave me that kind of energy! Do some of you want to come clean my house during your next spurt??? LOL

PaLady
Posted 2/9/2009 5:48 AM (GMT 0)
lol...Pa...

I don't' think I'd worry about switching to Oxy, Pa. I rather doubt they are going to have a long term issue when they are making sooo much money on this product. They are in the business to make money and the pharmaceutical houses "own" too many people in DC to let them get in the way. Just my opinion...

I do take the 20's and maybe that's why I don't have a problem. Shouldn't be a reason for them not substituting 2-20's for a 40 but I'm not a pro in the field so I'm not sure. I've had it done with other meds but not sure on Class C or things you can't break.

Good topic,
Chutzie
Posted 2/9/2009 3:06 PM (GMT 0)
Is it oxycodone? and percocet too . im scheduled to fill percocet next week was wondering if I could fill it.? I take percocet 10 mg was wondering if i should ask for my pain dr for something else?
Posted 2/9/2009 5:03 PM (GMT 0)
From what I am seeing on my prescription bottle....and this comes straight from my bottle......I am on 10/325 of Percocet but doc has allowed for generic fills so my pharmacy has it filled as Oxycodone so I would have to say that oxy is percocet. right?
Posted 4/15/2009 4:02 AM (GMT 0)
Two months ago my 25 year old daughter was perscribed oxycodone. I didn't feel this strong of a drug was necessary but we searched 7 pharmacies and all told us that oxycodone was no longer being manufactured. Nobody seemed to know why. I went to all the chain drugstores and mom & pop ones. On the way home feeling defeated I approached a Costco. I told my daughter they have a larger purchasing power. Fortunately, they were able to fill the script. The pharmacist told us after filling my daughters script, she only had 60 left and would not be able to get any more. As a taker of percocet I wondered how long it would be for the trickle down affect would involve my endocet (percocet generic). Sure enough I has started. My pharmacist only had 60 tablets left. He check with the manufacturer for stock in "percocet" and they showed only 6 bottles left, so he ordered enough to fill my script. What makes me angry is the fact that I wasn't paying that much for the endocet because it's a generic but now I have to pay boat load of money for the brand name. I complained to my insurance company and they said it's no different from patients who have to buy brand name drugs because there is no generic. So if anybody really knows the reason for this shortage please let me know. Don't know what I'll do next month. By the way I live in Michigan.

Posted 4/15/2009 5:54 AM (GMT 0)
Hi, Pain Pro,
Welcome to the chronic pain forum of HW. There's been a lot of discussion about the oxycodone shortage, and I know someone posted links from the fda website. I'm not sure if those links are in this thread or another one, but if you go to www.fda.gov and try to search you should be able to find the most recent info.

I take percocet, too, and have wondered the same thing. So far I've been ok, but my insurance is running out soon, and I plan to get 90 days supplies in June, so I will be sure to check well in advance with the pharmacy.

You also may want to start a new thread and introduce yourself to the group. This is a great place for support, but sometimes your post can get buried in an older thread.

Again, welcome.

PaLady
Posted 9/3/2010 1:27 AM (GMT 0)
I checked with a compounding pharmacy and was told there would be no problem compounding Oxycodone 20 mg/ml, when I get my next prescription. You may want to check with compounding pharmacies in your area.
Posted 9/3/2010 2:06 AM (GMT 0)
Hello Caliguy58! Welcome to the Healingwell Chronic Pain forum! smilewinkgrin

It looks like you may have responded to a post that is a about 1-1/2yrs old. It's a common mistake...and one I have made myself rolleyes

We would like to get to know you a little better...so would it be possible for you to tell us a little about yourself. Just a simple introduction will suffice....
and tell us the nature of your visit.... including medical problems relating to chronic pain.

We are a very supportive group of members here, and believe that we are the best source for support regarding chronic pain on the internet.

Again Welcome, and we hope to hear from you soon! wink

PS: please start a new thread on the board here when you do introduce yourself.


SE wink

Post Edited (Screaming Eagle) : 9/2/2010 9:18:06 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 9/3/2010 4:22 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Caliguy and Welcome!! I am going to write a new post to introduce you to the gang. It's hard for them to know you are here. I did that myself when I first joined. I just started posting in the middle of someone else's thread and suddenly people realized I was new and welcomed me with open arms.

Glad to have you on board!
Chutz

ps... and yes, we get these scares from time to time. Sometimes they are legit but others are nothing more than rumors. It's funny how I'll be looking for something on the web and when I'm part way through reading what I thought I was looking for I find it's like 5 years old!
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