Two prescriptions for same meds

[NinoTucci]

My doctor's office accidentally refilled my Vicodin prescription at two pharmacies. One we used for several years but had to switch due to a change in our insurance coverage. I picked up one refill at each pharmacy and now I'm worried that I'm going to get in trouble. Do the pharmacies send a notice to the doctor every time I pick up a refill??

[shinty]

My First PCP was a great doctor. We had a very good relationship. We trusted each other. I was prescribed 3 different types of opiates on a monthly basis. I only had to see him once every 3 months. On the months I didn't see him, I'd send a self-addressed stamped envelope, and receive my prescriptions in the mail. I never had to give a urine sample, or had any type  of "drug test". This is what trust can do for you- make your life a lot simpler, and much less stressful. He is now retired, and I wound up at a pain clinic. I wait 3-6 hours every month for my appointment there. I'm drug tested every month. Every bill received has charges that have nothing to do with me, such as, smoking cessation ($150), testosterone tests and prescriptions ($560), EKG $150), and a few others that I can't remember. This is a greedy doctor! He is a very good doctor though. He listens, is very knowledgeable, and seems to genuinely care about me. I will assume it's a billing error, and has nothing to do with the doctor's greed, unless it keeps happening. The "characters" I see at this pain clinic is incredible. Some patients phones ring incessantly. They answer there phone, and you here things like, "I'm still at the doctor's. I'll call you when I'm out of here and I will give you those 4 tires you wanted. We all know it isn't tires he is selling! There are addicts present there also. I'm not going to discuss how I know this, but I know. There are a few "real" pain patients dispersed "here and there" however.  This doctor has been investigated by the DEA recently because a patient overdosed. It's a long story but the short version is that the patient who died didn't see the doctor, but only the physician's assistant, or PA. I guess this violates some Massachusetts, or federal law. The doctor must write the narcotic prescription, not the nurse practitioner, or the PA-NOBODY ELSE! I guess he made out okay with the DEA, since he is still practicing. There is a lot of hospitals and doctors near where I live, so finding a new pain specialist won't be too hard if it ever comes to that. Like I said, he is a good doctor. Sorry yet again for rambling on. I forget what I was even writing about! take care,
                                       shinty

[omhome]

as soon as you start with opiates you are  under close scrutiny for any----Any----transgression----and you better educate yourself-----given the chance they will drop you because they are under the same scrutiny!     !

[shinty]

This post is about a year old.

[annie33333]

hi mary...because i have chronic migraines and for the last year and a half have been traveling and moving so much of the time, i have been really confused about mine as well...i had to change doctors too as i have moved 4 times in 3 years trying to keep up with which dr and where i am is too much for me..i didn't even know it was against the law to mistake which dr and which prescription until today and now i feel like an idiot...i'm also very worried!  the last thing i want to do is be dishonest.  i am a recovering alcoholic and have been sober for 7 1/2 years so it makes me sad to know that not paying attention to these things has been so serious a situation.  i'm glad you wrote about this because i was really unaware of what they call "dr shopping" as they call it, even if it is an accident...thanks for addressing this issue

[darthmall]

Yea what every one is saying is very true it looks like you are DR. shopping to them, few years ago it would have been great and fine but the DEA is all up in doctors and pharmacies business, and in my opinion making things worse but thats different story! Just Do what they say, call your doctor asap and you can just say my husband picked scripts up at 1 place you the other, it was a total mistake and they will respect and trust you even more cuz you are also probably saving the nurse or whoever made the mess up job!

[GodWrksNmystryusWYS]

lol

[Dilullo]

Yes your doctor will absolutely find out, it might take a minute, but trust me, as clear as you can view these words, he will also have the same clairity in knowing what you have done. Id return the pills or medication directly to his office. This is how people and patients get jammed up, and also why some doctors are ultra reluctant to right scripts...

What were you thinking? That you hit the lottery?

[BOK2Bjan]

I could not agree more with the previous posts.  When you made the decision to pick up the second Rx - you created a breech of trust with your prescribing physician.  If you are in serious pain - this is something you do not ever want to lose.  I feel very fortunate to be able to receive treatment for my chronic pain - I know not everyone can.  The mistake will be caught at some point - it just will.  The doctor's office no doubt keeps a record of all scripts called in or written.  Strong opiates cannot be called in - they have to be written - and I thought Vicodin was in the controlled class.  Either way - the long term benefits of having a doctor's trust and willingness to continue to prescribe such drugs far outweigh any temporary benefit you believe you may get by keeping this secret.

I wish you the best, and am giving you this advice from my heart without judgement - just hoping you do well.

Blessings, Jan

[skmedlin27703]

As of October 2011 there are 37 states with Prescription Monitoring Programs (Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wyoming).... I live in NC and every time I go to the doctor they have a report that has ALL my prescriptions listed with details like the drug, dose, qty, doctor, date filled and pharmacy info.

So, I would take the bottle with you to your appt, don't take any, and be honest... if you pay cash for your meds, maybe the doctor will let you keep the rx for next month, instead of writing a new rx.  Good Luck.

[geminigirl1963]

You most definitely need to at least call your doctor's office and ask them what they would like you to do with the second prescription.

Sure, your doctor's office made an error by calling in two prescriptions to two different pharmacies, however, you made an even bigger error by picking them both up knowing that you had already picked up the first one.

Whether the pharmacies notify your doctor of the situation or whether they discover it another way (even by reviewing their own records), they WILL discover the error and if you don't be upfront with them now, there could be some serious repercussions, including losing your pain management.

Make that call to the doctor's office immediately and ask what they wnat you to do with the extra medication.

[gungalmama]

I am afraid they are right. It will look bad for you if they find out you kept both. AND they keep records for what was refilled.
I say be honest about it although it ***** you already put out the money for the second...

[nixx126]

Definately do not take double or think its a bonus because iy will backfire plain and simple.

[marycarmel]

Pharmacies don't generally notify the doctor when you pick up a script.  However, you're playing with fire.  It's not worth it.  Call the doctor and explain what happened and tell them you want to dispose of them properly.  The pharmacy can't take them back.  Maybe the doctor will tell you to hold onto them and not get them filled next month.  It's not worth the risk, IMO.  If you get caught, you'll likely be discharged from his practice.