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christin1225 · 10-09-2009, 08:46 AM

Lately, I've been hearing something that contradicts what I was told by my doctor regarding refills on Suboxone. I finally got a chance to research it today. My doctor informed me that he had to schedule me for a three-week appointment because he's going out of the country and won't be returning for a month. Although a long-shot, I'm a bit nervous that something might go wrong and he may not get back into the country in thirty days and, therefore, I would love to have a "just in case" refill on my script. He's said that it's not possible. But, here's what I found in relation to his claim that he had to see me early (couldn't skip an appointment) and that Suboxone can't be refilled:

Suboxone Treatment and Detox - Withdrawal, Abuse and Addiction
Since Buprenorphine is a Schedule III drug, the physician is only allowed to prescribe 5 refills in 6 months.

suboxone "supposidly" can only be filled 5 times.. - discussion in the Drugs.com community
Actually they were correct, you are only supposed to be allowed 5 refills on class III or IV narcotics in any 6 month period.

Drug Rehabilitation News - FDA Approves Two Forms of Buprenorphine for Opiate Treatment
H. Wesley Clark, director of the federal Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT), contends that placing buprenorphine under Schedule III will have no impact on physicians' decision to prescribe the drug. "The difference between Schedules III, IV and V are nominal," he said, noting that the restrictions on Schedule III drugs including a 30-day limit on prescriptions, with no more than five refills.

"Who wants to write prescriptions for scheduled drugs for more than five months in the first place?" Clark asked. "DEA's logic is that Schedule III might remind doctors that this is an addictive drug and they need to exercise caution. That's probably a good thing."

It's really no big deal that I had to come in a week early (though skipping an appointment would have been nice because it would have saved me $48). It's just that I don't know how a doctor expects his patient to trust him if he lies. And, if he hasn't lied and just doesn't know the laws regarding prescribing Suboxone, why is he prescribing it in the first place? :wtf2

I'm just a bit bummed that my doctor would lie to me.

10-09-2009, 08:46 AM	#1 (permalink)
christin1225 Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Upstate New York Posts: 1,369 Blog Entries: 24	Doctor lied or is ignorant Lately, I've been hearing something that contradicts what I was told by my doctor regarding refills on Suboxone. I finally got a chance to research it today. My doctor informed me that he had to schedule me for a three-week appointment because he's going out of the country and won't be returning for a month. Although a long-shot, I'm a bit nervous that something might go wrong and he may not get back into the country in thirty days and, therefore, I would love to have a "just in case" refill on my script. He's said that it's not possible. But, here's what I found in relation to his claim that he had to see me early (couldn't skip an appointment) and that Suboxone can't be refilled: Suboxone Treatment and Detox - Withdrawal, Abuse and Addiction Since Buprenorphine is a Schedule III drug, the physician is only allowed to prescribe 5 refills in 6 months. suboxone "supposidly" can only be filled 5 times.. - discussion in the Drugs.com community Actually they were correct, you are only supposed to be allowed 5 refills on class III or IV narcotics in any 6 month period. Drug Rehabilitation News - FDA Approves Two Forms of Buprenorphine for Opiate Treatment H. Wesley Clark, director of the federal Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT), contends that placing buprenorphine under Schedule III will have no impact on physicians' decision to prescribe the drug. "The difference between Schedules III, IV and V are nominal," he said, noting that the restrictions on Schedule III drugs including a 30-day limit on prescriptions, with no more than five refills. "Who wants to write prescriptions for scheduled drugs for more than five months in the first place?" Clark asked. "DEA's logic is that Schedule III might remind doctors that this is an addictive drug and they need to exercise caution. That's probably a good thing." It's really no big deal that I had to come in a week early (though skipping an appointment would have been nice because it would have saved me $48). It's just that I don't know how a doctor expects his patient to trust him if he lies. And, if he hasn't lied and just doesn't know the laws regarding prescribing Suboxone, why is he prescribing it in the first place? :wtf2 I'm just a bit bummed that my doctor would lie to me.