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DEA Classifies Tramadol a Controlled Substance

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Posted 7/9/2014 10:17 PM (GMT 0)
Federal Register-Schedules of Controlled Substances: Placement of Tramadol Into Schedule IV-
www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2014-07-02/pdf/2014-15548.pdf
Posted 7/9/2014 11:31 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the update! I wish we could hear before hearings so we can testify.

It's important to read the notice if you take this med. While our doctors can still call in tramadol, nurses can't according to this schedule.
Posted 7/10/2014 3:07 AM (GMT 0)
You also need to check your state laws. It is the state laws that say a dr can call in a Schedule IV in but a nurse can't. Some states already have Tramadol as a Schedule IV. But, after this goes into effect, it will be all 50 states.
Posted 7/10/2014 3:54 PM (GMT 0)
This just keeps getting better, doesn't it.....(snicker)



M.
Posted 7/11/2014 5:34 PM (GMT 0)
What that means may be different depending on who your doctor is. For example I know that Lorazepam is a class IV controlled substance and I have had it refilled twice by my psychiatrist over the phone when I ran out unexpectedly, Since I take Lorazepam as needed instead of every day it's easier to run out by accident. Basically I think it just means the doctors are just going to have to check if you are using the medication more than prescribed whenever they write a prescription, and the pharmacies will have checks that prevent people from going to more than one doctor for the same medication in order to obtain a higher dose. I don't actually see much of a problem with that, but I do hope that in the effort to prevent the abuse of pain medications doctors keep in mind that people who need the medications still should be able to access them.
Posted 7/11/2014 7:43 PM (GMT 0)
Unfortunately, drs blame new laws, DEA, ect on things that they choose to do and not do. The law is very plain, Federal Law states Schedule II meds can't be called in or refilled, you must have a new written rx each time. This only pertains to Schedule II meds, all other can be called in and refilled. Unless State Law says otherwise.

Lorazepam being called in for any reason is up to each dr, as all call in prescriptions are. All drs should care enough about their patients to look and see if they are getting refills too soon on all meds, but unfortunately not all drs do. Although insurance companies won't pay for refills if they are too early, unless there is a change in the dosage or directions, you can still pay out of pocket.

It is always a good idea to educate yourself on federal & state laws regarding the prescriptions you & your family take. It is also a good idea to know exactly what state laws goveren your states Prescription Monitoring Program and how many other states are connected to yours, if any.

For state laws put your state AND laws governing prescriptions drugs in your search bar. The DEA website contains the Federal Laws and regs regarding the prescribimg and dispensing of prescriptions drugs, that link is below.

DEA Homepage-
http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/index.html
Posted 7/13/2014 2:19 PM (GMT 0)
And now for the unintended conscience: Tramadol is used often in veterinary medicine for canine pain relief. Now my vet will no longer be dispensing this medication as it was unscheduled in our state. Gosh, just I need, another trip to the pharmacy "with a note from my mother".
Posted 7/13/2014 2:56 PM (GMT 0)
Veterinarians have been prescribing and using controlled medications for years and will continue to do so. Please see this website showing all the different medications they use and just because Tramadol is moving to a Schedule IV, it should not affect their treatment of pets. My dog has been on this medication for 3 years now for his hip dysplasia. They just more closely monitor those scheduled medications. The article is from 1999 but has been updated many times including last year.

(I am trying to use the "new" way to add a link so hope it works...lol (well, it's new to me as it used to be you would put the link in a box...)


www.fda.gov/AnimalVeterinary/NewsEvents/FDAVeterinarianNewsletter/ucm090121.htm

Post Edited (Snowbunny21) : 7/13/2014 9:04:00 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 7/13/2014 3:23 PM (GMT 0)
I am curious about how it will be tracked for veterinary purposes. Same with my dog. Just last month was put on tramadol (which, by the way, has helped him so much he went from a grouch to a dog that acts like he's a prancing pup again). In my state it wasn't a controlled substance, but I still had to fill out paperwork in my name for their DEA tracking. I worry that my name shows up in the main database as having possession of the med even though it's for my dog and I keep track of how much I give him. Could this turn into a problem if PM sees that u have this med if you've signed a contract? The contracts usually say something like I won't get certain meds from other docs, but it isn't specific enough. It should say I won't get meds "prescribed for myself" from other docs or something along those lines. I know this is splitting hairs but loopholes can happen.

Post Edited (1 day at a time) : 7/13/2014 10:46:15 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 7/13/2014 3:58 PM (GMT 0)
I will be asking my PM at the end of this month at my appt. how they want to handle this. I am happy to bring in the bottle of Tramadol for them to count if needed, just like my own pills. As well as they can have access to my dog's Vet records to see the prescribing dates.

I don't think it will be an issue as far as breaking a contract though...You and I aren't getting these meds for ourselves and our Dr. can see that we signed everything at the Vet for our dog.

I get a yearly urine test as they can see that I've never had anything other than my own prescribed meds in my system.

I'm pretty much an open book with my Drs. and if something makes it easier for them to prescribe then I am happy to oblige:)
Posted 7/14/2014 2:50 AM (GMT 0)
If you have animals that receive pain meds, you may want to look up and read what your current state laws are regarding Veterinarians reporting to the PMP in your state. The info below is current as of June 2014. But, to be on the safe side check in your state.

States with Statutory Authority to Require Veterinarians to Report to the State PMP-
www.namsdl.org/library/16C4622D-19B9-E1C5-31F5DA9669420E49/

Post Edited (Mercy&Grace) : 7/13/2014 8:57:03 PM (GMT-6)

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