How easy is it to make this RX mistake?

[Piecey]

Curious, if anyone might have some insight.

I had my gallbladder taken out Tuesday. The surgeon did it laproscopically (sp??) so not a huge deal.
Pretty basic surgery, said I might experience more pain than normal because I had a c-section in June.

Got the prescription filled and it is for 50 Vicodin ES. With 1 refill of 50 more.

Now, I only got 30 Vicodin for my c-section and I'm getting 100 for my gallbladder removal?! This seems off to me.

My mom was thinking maybe the pharmacy misread his handwriting. None of us think he actually meant to give me 100 Vicodin.

So I don't know a lot about prescriptions but is it possible to misread a prescription that badly? I guess I thought they'd call or something vs. handing out 100 painkillers! I can never read the things anyway so I have no idea...

Anyone have any thoughts? Just curious.
(My mom did suggest I ask him at my follow-up if that was his intention or not..)

 

[720L]

I don't think the pharmacist would "guess" at the number the dr wrote down..they could get in big trouble. The dr probably thinks you'll need that many. Hopefully you won't!

 

[AKL_Megs]

Hmm... sounds like, in the wrong hands, it could potentially be a pretty bad mistake.

Was it written on the script like that?

If so...

In your case, unless you decide to GET the refill, just look at it as 20 extra pills. I'd call the pharmacy and let them know about their mistake.

If not...

All doctors are different. Some won't give you Tylenol, some will give you ANYTHING. Be thankful you didn't get Tylenol!

 

[JessicaR]

50 pills with one refill is not considered over prescribing and extremely doubtful its a mistake. Two different doctors two different procedures. Your surgeon gave you 50 initially and a refill in case you needed it, you don't have to refill it. Just hope you don't need it!

Hope you heal quickly.

 

[C.Ann]

First of all, glad the gallbladder is out - and I hope you're feeling 100% very soon..

As to the medication - Vicodin is a controlled substance and therefore pharmicies tend to be extra cautious when filling those scripts.. What is the strength? 50 sounds "generous" - like he wanted to make sure you had enough.. The "refill" for 50 more does sound a bit off.. Do you have any other issues that cause you pain?

It's not unusual for a doctor to write a script of 180 pain killers a month for chronic pain.. 5/500 hydrocodone or 7.5/500 or 7.5/325.. (With a maximum of 6 pills per day..) Usually where it says "refills" the doctor will make a 0 with a slash through it - indicating no refills.. I wonder if he put the "slash" (which could look like 1) and forgot to put the zero?

If you think you might need them sometime in the future, you need to figure out how many days the original 50 should last (as prescribed) and then get the refill right after the original script would run out - as it's only good for a certain period of time (again - because it's a controlled substance)..

DD has been off and on all sorts of pain meds since her car accident in 2006 (as well as 2 surgeries since then), so that's how I know so much about the controlled substances.. Not a "druggie" here - LOL..

Anyhow - do whatever you feel best - and of course keep this medication in a secure place - away from children or anyone who might be tempted to "grab a few".. (Yes - people will do that.. Sometimes the ones you least suspect of having a problem..)

Feel better soon!

 

[phorsenuf]

So lets see. Reserve 20 for you and with a street value of about $5. a pill......

 

[clh2]

Again, because this is a controlled substance - At least in Wisconsin, a doc cannot call the prescription in. If by chance, the prescription wasn't enough, you would need to contact the dr, and then drive to his office to pick up the rx, and then go have it filled. If you are in that much pain - it will be a PITA.

And, possibly another thought - if the doc gave you a script for 25 pills, and then you needed more, you would need to pay two different do-pays - so he may actually just be watching out for your money.

 

[Piecey]

So lets see. Reserve 20 for you and with a street value of about $5. a pill......

DH did say something about paying off the remainder of our Disney trip.



I don't need them. That it what is bizarre to me. He asked how I felt after the c-section and how bad my gallbladder attacks had been since and I told him I was using the Vicodin I had leftover from the c-section to treat the attacks. He knew I still had Vicodin.

C.Ann, Vicodin ES is 7.5/750.

I just think it's very strange. Maybe I'm just strange.

 

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

That sounds about right.

When DW had hers out, she had a like prescription, the doctor told her the refill was in case the pain did not go away as normal. she did not need to get a refill, in fact she ended up with some left over that we destroied.

And if there was every ANY doubt, the pharmacy gets on the phone to to doctor to confirm the amount and dosage. (and the prescription was sent to them before we arrived) I would imagine that would be so a written prescription could not be "altered" on the way there.

 

[npmommie]

I don't think its a mistake, and not to worry, you don't have to refill it, so you don't have to take 100 pills!

Vicodin ES can be taken 1 or 2 tabs every 4-6 hours so assuming you take the max, you would use your 50 pills within 4 ish days........
he is probably just being sure you have what you need with no need to call for more.

 

[JessicaR]

I don't think its a mistake, and not to worry, you don't have to refill it, so you don't have to take 100 pills!

Vicodin ES can be taken 1 or 2 tabs every 4-6 hours so assuming you take the max, you would use your 50 pills within 4 ish days........
he is probably just being sure you have what you need with no need to call for more.

Actually Vicodin ES has a max of 5 in a 24 hour period. Since each pill contains 750 mg of acetaminophen. That may soon be changing too.

 

[C.Ann]

C.Ann, Vicodin ES is 7.5/750.

I just think it's very strange. Maybe I'm just strange.

Is that 750 tylenol? If so, be very careful. No more than 4000 mgs. in a 24 hour period.. You could "safely" take 5 in a 24-hour period, but if you want to be safer, I would limit it to 4 in a 24 hour period.. The tylenol portion can be very, very damaging to your liver..

 

[torinsmom]

People have different pain thresholds, I guess. Maybe he was just making sure you had enough?

I had brain surgery in 2003, with the scalp, muscles and skull cut through--the scar is 8 inches long! They were giving me morphine when I was in recovery and would not let me decline. Once I was in my own room, I made them take the pump away and bring me ibuprofen. It worked for me! Once I as home, I had a scrip for Dilaudid and 3 refills. I took exactly 1/2 of one Dilaudid and was done. It's true that I didn't fell any pain when I took it, because I was floating on the ceiling, and unable to function.

Marsha

 

[C.Ann]

Actually Vicodin ES has a max of 5 in a 24 hour period. Since each pill contains 750 mg of acetaminophen. That may soon be changing too.

You and I must have been posting at the same time.. LOL

 

[4nana]

Yikes, our drs are not nearly that generous, as that could be dangerous in the wrong hands !?!? I was scribed 20 Percocet pills (with no refills) when I had my gallbladder out 2 yrs ago, however, thankfully I didn't need any! Best wishes on your recovery!

 

[teacups]

Gee... makes me wonder how people get addicted.

 

[Mkrop]

Now when I worked as a pharmacy tech a million years ago, doctors had to not only put the amount 50 and then also write the word FIFTY so there would be no confusion. This was only necssary with controlled substances bc of an audit being done at anytime. If your Rxs dont match up with what you rodered and what you have dispensed, the pharmacy would be in big trouble. I thought Vicodin fell under this scenario bc it was a controlled substance. I am sure you could call the pharmacy and ask them to pull the Rx and double check.

 

[C.Ann]

Gee... makes me wonder how people get addicted.

I don't think you can make a broad generalization like that without knowing the specific doctor and the specific patient.. While there certainly are doctors out there who will overprescribe (for the right amount of money ), for each one of those there are 1,000 more who will not prescribe pain medication for people who have a legitimate need for it..

It's a fine line for sure, but addicts are making it extremely difficult for people who are in excruciating pain to receive the pain relief that they need and deserve..

 

[Liberty Belle]

Why don't things like this ever happen to me?

Just kidding, but I wouldn't mind having a few vicodins around to help me get through my cramps each month. I hope you don't need all of them, but as long as you're responsible, it might be nice to have a few in your house for occasions like that.

 

[Piecey]

Actually Vicodin ES has a max of 5 in a 24 hour period. Since each pill contains 750 mg of acetaminophen. That may soon be changing too.

I did the research so I know what you're saying, but it was prescribed the way the posted you quoted said.
1-2 every 3-4 hours for pain.

Gee... makes me wonder how people get addicted.

ITA.

I don't think you can make a broad generalization like that without knowing the specific doctor and the specific patient.. While there certainly are doctors out there who will overprescribe (for the right amount of money ), for each one of those there are 1,000 more who will not prescribe pain medication for people who have a legitimate need for it..

It's a fine line for sure, but addicts are making it extremely difficult for people who are in excruciating pain to receive the pain relief that they need and deserve..

I get what you're saying too, but this surgeon hardly knows me. He met me in January when I first started having attacks and refused to operate until I delivered. Then he met with me long enough in early July to say "You had a c-section? Let's operate July xx."
He DOES know I'm in honest pain because I went to the ER and they diagnosed stones... but do I need 100 Vicodin?? No!
I have a script from the ER for Vicodin I never filled because I still had Vicodin leftover from my C-section (the good stuff, too, the 10/500)

If I was a drug addict, I'd be in hog heaven right now!