How do I approach a pharmacist about a specific type of Percocet?

AnonymousUser

I've posted before and found this forum to be especially helpful and honest. It's difficult to find message boards about chronic pain these days that isn't largely rampant with narcotic abusers in denial.

I get prescribed 120 10mg oxycodones per month to help me deal with my fairly severe scoliosis pain. I generally just go to whatever pharmacy is the most convenient for me to get to; Rite Aid, Walgreens, CVS, etc. These chains are all under contract from various pharmaceutical companies to use them exclusively.

What I've found is this; despite the fact that amount of oxycodone and APAP is regulated by our government and it doesn't change, different manufacturers' percocets have different effects on me. Watson gives me headaches, Mallinckrodt feels exceptionally ineffective, and Intrapharm seems to have a speedy feeling coupled with mild nausea. I do know that different pharmaceutical companies use different inactive ingredients which may be the reason they feel differently to me, and even if it is placebo, it's still real to me, so it's valid.

The only versions of Percocets I've taken that did not have the unwanted side effects or ineffective pain relief were Roxicodone and Endocet. Roxicodone only comes in 5mg and 20mg forms, though, so they're not an option for me any longer and I'm now prescribed 10mg.

I just received two more prescriptions for the next two months, and I want to fill them using Endocet, but how? I know that none of the larger chains provide them, so I'm exclusively looking at independent pharmacies and apothecaries. What do I do? I can't imagine walking up to a pharmacist and asking them which company supplies them with Percocets. I'd come off like a seeker, and I really, really don't want to come off like a seeker. Is it possible that I could go to one of the larger chains and have them special order them just for me?

I'd sincerely appreciate any insight.

cherish22

I am very lucky that my small, independent pharmacy I use carries the Endocet brand. It makes a HUGE difference and I would be very unhappy if they changed. I'll be interested to see the advice - for me, I would be blunt and honest and say that the Endocet brand seems to work the best, do they or can they carry it? Since you already have a prescription for the Percocet, this is different than asking a doctor to prescribe it. You are just trying to find a certain brand. We used to always use a local chain that are on every single corner, and after too many "we don't have it" issues, we switched to this small, locally owned pharmacy. It has been amazing - they are never out of anything, super fast, and super friendly.

Cheri

poollady

Could you ask your doctor that is prescribing the meds to specify exactly what you need? That way if your doctor is telling what you need there should not be any questions.

AnonymousUser

I had a problem with my oxycodone when my little country pharmacy, where I usually get them, didn't have them and I went to Rite Aid to fill the prescription and they gave me Mallinckrodt and they definitely did not work as well as the ones I had before which were Ethex, so today when I went to my PM Doctor I asked him if there could be a significant difference and he said definitely and so he gave me Brand Only after asking me if I had good insurance. I got the Roxicodone 15mg and noticed the difference right away. You mentioned that the Roxicodone only comes in 5 and 20 forms, but I did get it today in 15mg form.
I would either tell your Doctor to put Brand Only or call the pharmacy first before you go and ask if they have the ones that work for you and go to the pharmacy that does.
There is no shame in asking. Some people are actually alergic to some of the inactive ingredients and have to ask.
Good Luck

AnonymousUser

kimmyg said:

You mentioned that the Roxicodone only comes in 5 and 20 forms, but I did get it today in 15mg form.

Hm. Not to imply that you don't know what the bottle says, are you certain it isn't printed as Roxicet (also OxyIR - instant-release oxycodone without the APAP), which I know does come in 15mg?

Either way, thanks to everyone for the responses so far! I'm all ears and interested in more.

J.J.Grey

with my methadone. The HCL works much better but the small locally owned pharmacy that I usually go to only carries plain methadone. I can tell a big difference. So, for my methadone I go to a larger chain pharmacy because they have the methadone HCL. Could you possibly call around ahead of time to inquire? This would make it anonymous and you would find the pharmacy that carries it without looking like a seeker. Or call the larger chain that is most convenient and ask if they could order, still anonymous.

AnonymousUser

I have the bottle in my hand now and it says Roxicodone 15 MG T (Brand name) XANOD

hope this helps......

lulusheart

i use a small independent pharmacy as well and the service is top notch and highly effective. <:P they know me by name, call my refills in promptly and give me the best price around. if it is possible, i think that is the best way to go.. good luck! Jenny

BionicWoman

I'm picky about my fentanyl patches, I just walk up to the counter with my prescription in hand and tell them I'd like to know what generic brand they carry, before they do anything other than examine my prescription.

I've never had a pharmacist or technician deny my request. If one did, I'd be forced to remind them that as a patient, I have the right to any and all information related to the drugs I put into my body and that as a pharmacist they have an obligation to provide that information.

griff

I agree with a couple of the other posters- I live in a small community and, after getting the Wal-Mart run-around for far too long I switched both my mother and myself to my small town pharmacy. They are amazing and I can tell you that if they don't have it they'll get it to me in a day or two. They've special ordered my fentanyl patches as well.

My suggestion is to find a pharmacy that either has or is willing to order what you like and stick to them! I think it's always better for them to know you, know what you're taking and your history for any future problems or interactions.

There isn't any "drug seeking" behavior in wanting the pill that works best for you, please don't be concerned about that. Any pharmacist would probably agree that not every generic or brand name works best for every person.

Good luck on your search!
Griff

AnonymousUser

Your suggestions and understanding so far are so very much appreciated. To know that I'm not the only one who detects significant differences among the generic manufacturers' products is a relief in and of itself. For a while, I thought it was possible it was a placebo effect, but the differences were so noticeable that I never could fully convince myself that it was all in my head.

I found a local pharmacy near my apartment that provides Endocets. They've agreed to fill my script, but just as a one-time-only because my prescription is written in New Jersey while I live in Pennsylvania. For some reason, they are nervous about honoring the prescription because of this, particularly because the medication is a narcotic. Any clues as to why this is an issue?

Either way, this affords me a full month to find another local pharmacy that will agree to service my medical needs on a regular and reliable basis. I suppose I should start visiting them all now and having candid conversations with the pharmacists in each.

Wish me luck!