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cannot find a place to get Hydrocodone 7.5/325

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Posted 10/19/2014 9:12 AM (GMT 0)
EVERY pharmacy in my town, and we have a ton, are out of hydro 7.5/325. And to add, My pM and insurance has me locked in at one pharmacy, so I'd have to jump through hoops to get it else where.

Usually my pharmacy can get a med within a few days, but on oct 8h they said they will not have more until Nov 1st bc of regulations limiting how much they can order. But every other pharmacy in the area is out as well. WHy? This is a common med...
I'm post op, and dr happened to write Percs too for severe pain, so I'm okay but i was suppose to be using the hydro and only use perks for severe pain.

And how do I deal with the lock in pharmacy issue?

Why is this becoming such an issue?
Posted 10/19/2014 9:27 AM (GMT 0)
Ang we just talked about this in another thread but I do believe they're going to run into some real issues with the amount they are allowed to keep onhand just as with other CII meds simply because of the sheer number of folks who take hydro. For now we know some of the problems are stemming from the fact that all the hydro that was onhand at pharmacy level had to be sent back to the manufacturer and repackaged as a class II medication. I'm guessing that means even though they knew this was coming no one had the forethought to prepackage and re-label prior to the effect date. As usual the big pharmacy's, manufacturers,and the government entities who thought this up didn't show concern as to what patients were suppose to do for their meds in the meantime.
Posted 10/19/2014 12:04 PM (GMT 0)
Wow, that's terrible! Where do you live? I'm not an expert, but do they have any in a different strength that maybe the dr can prescribe for you in the meantime? I'm not sure if they ever do that.

This may have happened to me as I was taking Hydro 7.5/325 right up until the re-schedule, then I was switched off of it.

I don't understand the re-packaging. It that packaging for the pharmacists? When I get my meds, it's always in the store containers.
Posted 10/19/2014 1:50 PM (GMT 0)
Yes it's for pharmacy, drivers that transport, fed ex, ups, and the dea. Special labeling for all steps on class II and I meds have to meet FDA requirements.
Posted 10/19/2014 2:06 PM (GMT 0)
Have you tried a hospital pharmacy? That may be your best bet at this time. Of course go to a hospital where your physician is on staff, otherwise they probably won't fill it.

Are you calling on the phone and asking if they have it? They'll never tell you the truth.
Posted 10/19/2014 5:45 PM (GMT 0)
I would call the PMD Monday and tell them your problem and ask if you can get them at another Pharmacy this month.

Like someone said calling on the phone may not get you anywhere but it blows my mind that Hydrocodone would be hard to locate.

They saw this Schedule change coming.They're acting like it caught them off guard.

Good luck,

Rick
Posted 10/19/2014 6:53 PM (GMT 0)
Another issue is my insurance puts any core that fills a high amount if controlled on a lock in stays. So I can't go to another pharmacy without going through a 2-3 week appeal process or change the lock in (that can only be done once a year). Even if i pay cash, I could get in trouble for filling at another pharmacy. I would love to switch my lick-in but I feel like if i have to choose only one it should be a 24 hour pharm. for emergencies. I hate Walgreens but starting to feel CVS is no better....
I went to several that said no and called as well bc is have to tell insurance in advance if not at lock in. Its insane and I hate to see how much worse pm gets...
Posted 10/19/2014 7:31 PM (GMT 0)
Oh wow :( So terrible, I'm so sorry.
Posted 10/19/2014 7:58 PM (GMT 0)
You may not have any better luck with 5 or 10 mg, but you can call your pharmacy and ask. When you call, ask to speak to the pharmacist. Since you are a customer there, they should tell you over the phone is they have the other mgs. Usually CII's come in once a week. It also wouldn't hurt to ask if it is possible they may get any on before Nov 1. By the way, Nov 1 is on a Saturday.
Posted 10/19/2014 8:56 PM (GMT 0)
Maybe try Sam's club if there's one near you.

They buy with Walmart and so have major supply access... but far fewer people use their pharmacies. It is my understanding that you don't need to be a member to use the pharmacy (at least in some states).
Posted 10/19/2014 10:35 PM (GMT 0)
I'm thinking I read on here where another thing with Sched 2s is that a Pharmacy can't fill them with different MG dosages.

Sched 2's are really strict.

It's like it has to be a person to person transaction.Only fill what's written.They can't and won't hold a written prescription for you.

Rick
Posted 10/19/2014 11:22 PM (GMT 0)
The CII's have to be filled as they are written. If by "hold" you mean that a pharmacy can't keep a written CII rx until it is time to get it filled, they can, but few will. If her dr writes another mg of hydrocodone combination, her dr will require her to turn in the 7.5 rx she has now in order to get another one.
Posted 10/20/2014 8:28 AM (GMT 0)
Remember if the dosage is changed that also requires that paperwork between pharmacy and Dr that came about this past year to also be changed. The one that requires the Dr to tell the pharmacy your DX, tried prior to CIIs,? Walgreens and CVS are both pretty strict about those papers and anytime any thing changes new paperwork gets faxed to the Dr.
Posted 10/20/2014 1:30 PM (GMT 0)
A dx and other meds tried when getting CII's filled must be a state law because it isn't federal and it isn't in all states.
Posted 10/20/2014 5:46 PM (GMT 0)
The hydrocodone rescheduling allows for grandfathering of refills on scripts written before Oct. 6, but my pharmacy chain said their software didn't let them honor the refills and closed my prescription. Their IT team was smart enough to change the software to allow for the rescheduling but not the grandfathering of refills. Uh-huh. Thanks Walgreens. The next time you answer the phone, "How can I help you be well?" I may scream!

So, I'm dealing with a lot more pain while I'm tapering with what's left of my pain med. until I my Nov. 19 appt. Not good.

The whole supposed idea is to save lives, but I wonder how many chronic pain sufferers may be pushed to the breaking point with this change.
Posted 10/20/2014 6:45 PM (GMT 0)
Hello,

I was recently told by a pharmacist at CVS that Walgreens and CVS draw from the same warehouses, meaning if one is out of a particular drug, the other will likely be, too. He also went on to say that there are some serious opiate shortages across the country right now, especially more commonly prescribed doses like the hydrocodone 7.5/325 and morphine sulphate ER.

I've had a lot of difficulty getting any opiate prescription besides oxy IR 5mgs filled through either of them. I definitely agree with the sentiment expressed so far - you might want to try and change your lock-in pharmacy to a hospital pharmacy. It might be worth giving up the convenience of 24hr availability to ensure your medication is always able to be filled.

Good luck & good health,
Remy
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