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On Friday, 8/22/2014, it's been reported the DEA will announce new Classification of hydrocodone. This will be released in the Federal Register.
Hydrocome combinations include Lortab, Vicodin, Lortab Liquid, generic hydrocodone and other brand names of analgesics. Additionally, many prescription cough syrups have hydrocodone in them.
The DEA is recommending changing hydrocodone from a Schedule III Controlled Substance to a Schedule II Controlled Substance. This would mean many changes depending on the state where you live.
1. For starters the DEA is saying they believe hydrocodone has the same risk potential for abuse, dependence, addiction and side effects as meds such as: Morphine; Dilaudid; Fentanyl; oxycodone (Percocet, Tylox or other names. Extended Preparation is
Oxycontin ); Demerol and others. I don't see hydrocodone the same as Morphine or Demerol. Others may and I'd like to hear your POV.
2. Each person would have to check with their state. I'm not aware of any state that fills a telephoned or faxed prescription or refills any schedule II. That means patients will be seeing their doctors and incurring more cost to be seen monthly, as well as time off work.
We have a physician shortage. Where will time for all the extra visits come from in the pbysician's schedules? PAs or NPs. It's odd to me how new PA's can write for that level of Class II narcotic. That is probably state specific, so check with your state. How much will it cost patients?
3. In many states Urgent Cares do not prescribe Schedule II analgesics. They treat a lot of milder traumas. Will they have to use older drugs or send anyone who needs a pain reliever to the hospital E.R.? Most insurances have additional costs the patient pays for an E.R. Visit.
4. Persistent Cough that needs suppressed for you to get well. Just like 3. Above, Urgent Cares won't be able to prescribe these cough suppressant medicines. There are others, but they don't work as well for patients. When did you last go to the E.R. for a cough?
5. Kids who have T&As (or older adults and the elderly too) who can't swallow tablets, capsules etc. I think some ortho and ENT docs will be reluctant to prescribe a Schedule II. What will they use?
6. Dentists who aren't oral surgeons. Will Dentists prescribe Schedule IIs? I'm not sure.
Those are some of my thoughts about this change. What do you think?
...1. For starters the DEA is saying they believe hydrocodone has the same risk potential for abuse, dependence, addiction and side effects as meds such as: Morphine; Dilaudid; Fentanyl; oxycodone (Percocet, Tylox or other names. Extended Preparation is
Oxycontin ); Demerol and others. I don't see hydrocodone the same as Morphine or Demerol. Others may and I'd like to hear your POV. What do you think?
Would you please explain further of what makes you think the DEA is right? I'm trying to understand how others feel hydrocodone poses the same risks as Morphine and other schedule II analgesics.
Would you please explain further of what makes you think the DEA is right? I'm trying to understand how others feel hydrocodone poses the same risks as Morphine and other schedule II analgesics.
They are losing their grip on weed, so they need to move onto something else.
Heading to Denver, You raise an interesting thought and one I hadn't even considered previously. The FDA already decreased the amount of acetaminophen one tablet can have in it. Is the Federal Government going to tell us what meds our physicians can or cannot prescribe for us?
In the pre-announcement notice yesterday only 16% of physicians supported this change. Unfortunately, there wasn't a breakdown of physicians to determine if they were currently practicing, hospital based so all prescriptions have to be written anyway or specialists in psychiatry, pathology etc. - specialties that don't require them to write analgesics or cough syrups.
The general public was the highest group supporting this change. I wonder if the next time someone needs a cough syrup or liquid pain medication if they understand their comments mean they think hydrocodone puts them at the same risk Methadone or topical Cocaine used as an anesthetic pose?
I doubt many stopped to think of if a person needed a prescription called in, that is no longer possible etc.
It's an idea to consider further. How would the DEA benefit from re-scheduling hydrocodone?
I hope all will post their thoughts. One thing I don't know is how to get this new rule changed so there is still a schedule III Urgent Care Facilities can prescribe for minor trauma and cough, and other doctors can call in a pain reliever for well known patients.
I also don't think anyone's insurance premiums are going to decrease if acute patients have to go to the E.R. more and see a provider for every script.
Well I have chronic pain and have never been offered anything but Naprosyn or some other anti inflammatory. I know a lot of people who have chronic pain and complain about inadequate pain control. My doctor offered me a drug to treat depression.
I have friends with contacts if you catch my drift..
I will add I have been diagnosed with arthritis. That was over 20 years ago. The Doctors are happy to burn your nerves and subscribe medicine that destroys your stomach or alter your mind..
My mother recently had some minor surgery and was given a bottle of 20 Vicodin.
She took one because apparently there was little pain. After taking it she laughed and explained how great she felt.
Humm... 19 left and she doesn't want them.
Oh, what to do... what to do.
Nope, if you are in pain and need hydrocodone or anything related go speak with a doctor.
John
Thanks for explaining further. People who have addiction problems that are known receive different types of post op analgesia care.
I don't know that anyone gets "high" from hydrocone compared to Meth. Hydrocodone relieves pain and a person who responds with more energy and feels fine has gotten out of pain. Hydrocodone, if anything, is a depressant to the CNS. Other non-analgesic meds that make a person "high" are "uppers," like speed, meth and whatever true addicts want to use as their latest combination of chemicals.
Patients with addiction are very different than those who don't abuse. I agree with you the potential for abuse is present be it hydrocodone, ibuprofen, aspirin or other medications and substances.
I'm glad your mother seems to be doing well after her surgery and wish her a speedy recovery.
Is the Federal Government going to tell us what meds our physicians can or cannot prescribe for us?
You say that as if our physicians (and the pharmaceutical companies they tend to worship) would be better about controlling harmful substances. That is BS. Big-Pharma just wants to make profits and physicians have proven themselves to be script writing addicts for many reasons including meeting their patient's demands.
Better health thru medication is what we have today in healthcare. Sure eating healthy and exercizing is recommended, but as soon as it doesn't work, out come the drugs.
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Please Explain Further
