Getting Vicodin filled, then week later getting Percocet filled.

[dkc35]

I'm currently taking 5mg Hydrocodone (30 day supply - 90 pills) for a fragmented/herniated L4/L5 disc.  I am able to fill my script tomorrow (it's been 30 days).  I ran out 6 days early though, as I have had to take a little extra to get pain relief.

I have an appointment with my pain management specialist in 6 days and I wanted to talk to her about using percocet.  I was originally prescribed 10mg percocets but requested a change to vicodin due to some side effects with the percocets.  In the end, the Vicodin helps but I have to take more than directed and I get more relief with the percocets.

My concern is, if I call tomorrow for my regular refill for the month supply of Vicodin, if my pain management specialist prescribes the percocet 6 days later, will the pharmacy block the percocet script?

My doctor is recommending TLIF surgery but I have had to postpone it due to my upcoming wedding.  I would rather have the Percocets when I'm on my honeymoon so if it is wise to wait to my appointment to avoid conflict with the pharmacy, then I will have to grin and bear it to the appointment.

Thanks in advance.

[trixy71]

I think it depends on where your at, because both my Dr. AND pharmacy has both taken meds back. Giving the meds back to the doctor simply shows the doctor that you are trustworthy and not trying to score extra meds. That's the reasoning behind returning them, some don't require this, it just makes you look better. BUT some doctors DO require that; my pain doctor requires meds to be returned. What they do is put it in with their sharps container.

The note I get is just so that insurance will pay (just in case, because you never know) and the pharmacist also knows that I'm not trying to score extra meds. With all of the media hysteria, I simply prefer to be overly cautious than be treated like a junkie, and unfortunately, pharmacist's are real good at treating pain patients like junkies.

[dkc35]

The doctor wound up giving me enough hydrocodone until my office visit next week, where I'll ask to go back on the 10mg percocets.  Thanks for all your responses :)

[marycarmel]

I'm not sure it's legal for the doctor to take your oldmscript.  They can ask for a pill count.  My pharmacy won't take back a script and neither will the doctor.

[philnoir]

Insurance will pay for the new Rx. These are two different types of opiate analgesics. And I see no reason to bring old Rx into the doc unless asked.

[Jinx_777]

do the doctors refund you the amount of money you paid for the script when doing that??  i have read several people that have done that and i often wonder if they repay the money since you are returning them

[trixy71]

In my opinion, you would be OK, as long as you take the remaining Vicodin with you to your next appointment (the exact amount that you should have) and give them to the doctor before he gives you a new script.

My husbands doctor has done this when trying to find something that worked for him and he simply returned the balance of the old script back to the doctor and the doctor would write a note to the pharmacy stating that it was returned. I would definitely NOT try to keep both of them though. Let you doctor know up front that you brought the rest of the Vicodin's to return if he were to allow you to try a different medication. Let us know how it goes.