News about pain-killing drugs from pharmacies
Tighter restrictions for drugs containing hydrocodone
From Samaritan Health Services
The Drug Enforcement Administration recently announced tighter restrictions for drugs combined with the common painkiller hydrocodone. The new federal regulation is aimed at decreasing abuse of these products that contribute to overdose deaths and addiction.
What this means to patients who have been prescribed a hydrocodone combination product beginning Monday, October 6th, each new prescription that is written for products containing hydrocodone may be filled ONLY ONCE.
Examples of hydrocodone combination products are Tussionex, Hycodan, Norco, Lortab and all generic equivalents.
For a hydrocodone combination product prescribed prior to Monday, October 6th, with authorized refills, the prescription will be valid for up to six months from the original date of issuance. Such a prescription will be valid through April 8, 2015.
Patients seeking more information about this new regulation are encouraged to talk to their pharmacist.