2011 30 Mg Oxycodone Shortage (Page 16)
(Newest replies first)

I am a 51 y/o who lives in Florida, suffering from chronic back pain, and have been prescribed to take up to six 30mg oxycodone tablets a day for over two years by my Pain Management doctor. However, when I went to fill my prescription almost 4 weeks ago, my pharmacy told me their distributor had stopped shipping oxycodone to Florida pharmacies. Since then, I have personally visited about 100 pharmacies but have been unable to find them in stock anywhere. As a former paralegal, I attempted to research the situation, but could only confirm that the DEA has yearly quot on all controlled substances (for oxy's is 98 million grams in 2011). From I gather from the Internet, it appears that the ENTIRE state of FLORIDA is not getting any shipments of oxycodone 30 mg. from distributors, but are other states having this problem as well? Also, can anyone confirm whether (and HOW) the DEA is pressuring distributors to avoid Florida?

REPLY

REPORT

The theory posted by triplez and other is most likely the correct one.

Each year the DEA uses data gathered from prescription sales of the prior year from the FDA and manufacturers to set a manufacturing amount for each controlled substance. This amount is then split between the manufacturers.

This method is generally a good idea of how much will be demanded by legitimate prescriptions, however, the increasing number of Oxycodone prescriptions written each year, plus theft and diversion have sometimes resulted in years where the supply runs short at the end of the year.

Production will return to normal in January.

https:/­/­rxchat.com/­wiki/­Oxycodone/­

Are there any other questions or comments?

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

This happens every year at this time. Everything will be back to normal in January. They are over there quatas for the year ( 2011 ) . If you look back the last couple of years this happens every nov-dec. I flew to Boston from Florida to visit a relative and filled mine there. There is no shortage in the Northeast.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Where can I get my oxycodone 15mg filled in tampa area. Last month I had the dr switch me from 30mg to 15mg because the 30s were hard to get. So last month I go to Walgreens got the 15mg no problem But now this month I can't get any went to 5 pharmacies nothing. Is this happening to the 15mg too. Please. Help

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Eureka: I'm located in NOVA. I'm not sure how far you went into Va or which pharmacy's you've gone to.With that said, I'm going to suggest you try "Tysons" Pharmacy. Its a little "Mom & Pop shop" Its not too far from Washington DC. I believe its off rt495. I could give you # to call & verify they have it in stock, but I'm almost certain they'll tell you it's a controlled substance & that they cant give that info. out over the phone.
Although if you and your husband find yourself searching for a pharmacy, continuing to hit dead ends, I'd say its definitely worth a shot! Its been a couple months since Ive gone there to fill my boyfriends px (he's since moved for work) Because I havent filled anything there since, I'm not 100% on it. However I guess what I'm trying to get across is: If you run out of options it's certainly an avenue that'd be worth persuing! How about I just give you the # atleast this way you can call to get their address loc. Allowing you to calculate how far it is from where you are in Maryland.Tysons Pharmacy #(703)992-7083 Actually I just went ahead and called for you. Address is *7508 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church Va*. in the Tysons Station Shopping Mall. If you're not medically insured they are more than reasonabley priced!
Good Luck to you!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Wow!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Genuinely sorry to hear about your "bad luck" down in Florida. However, I'm a resident of Virginia, and I know of quite a few pharmacists that still carry and are actively distributing 15mg and 30mg Oxycodone. I recentley came across someone that is prescribed and receiving 5mg Oxycodone, which was filled here in Va. I wasn't aware they were available in 5mg tablets, though sure enough they are. From what know about Florida, thery're are actually ppl who travel to your area specifically for the abundant access to Pain Management Dr's in your state. I know DEA is cracking down EVERYWHERE! However, I know for a fact they are still available in some of the pharmacies in Northern Virginia! I know some Online px companies allow you to give the PX info and recieve through shipment. Unfortunately I'm not sure if Oxycodone is a script they'd honor or accept to fill.

Good luck to EVERYONE out there who's finding themselves in similar situations!
No one should have to suffer, going without ANY medication that they need!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

For ALL of you fearing withdrawal pains and horrors because of the Oxycodone shortage (albeit artificially caused):
ANY opiate and many opioids will support the dependence you have to oxycodone. ANY competent physician can look up the dose equivalency and prescribe an equivalent that will prevent withdrawal and control pain to similar degrees to your oxycodone experience.

It's important to address this issue with your MD BEFORE running out.

If you have in fact been taking the oxys without benefit of prescription you will have to find another opiate. Whether you can find a sympathetic physician is a matter of chance but there are always the methadone programs. They work. I know- i have gone through cancer 2x and countless other illnesses on methadone maintenance over the last 30 years.

Sometimes I needed supplemental painkillers- generally opiates- as we become tolerant to methadone as we to to any painkiller.

Good luck one and all. This is a time of crisis and opportunity for you all.

All of you must watch out for Buprenorphine and Talwin as they will throw you INTO withdrawal.

I agree that the DEA should NOT have been given this ill-thought-out path to interference in the doctor-patient relationship. We should all lobby to get rid of this extra burden that must be born by pain patients and their physicians.

There is a LONG history of such interference that should be brought to light and stopped. Perhaps this is the time to demand it.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

@ wayne i am so very sorry for what you are going through. if you start to go into withdrawals get to an er immediately! tell them what that pharmacist told you..i have never in my life heard of someone being so cruel and heartless..what they said to you is disgusting! god bless you

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

The state seems to be out...im so scared of the withdrawels to come...my belly is rumbling and bubbling as im typing....so crazy i cant get my legal perscription filled...whats wrong in this country..na i love america but dam im feeling like crud and for noreason but the person behind the counter and infront of the bottles said no....condemed me to hell

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

My guess would be you have so many people from all these other states comming down to pay doctors at pain clinics to write them for oxycontins and oxycodones its a wonder that your state isnt out completley. My pharmacy here in Delaware has plenty and i was told i would not have to worry about his supplier running out at all. i take Roxicodone 30 mg 8 times a day I get 250 tabs every month.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

i recently changed doctors because my old doctor and clnic were on the news as being a pill mill.....i didnt want to be associated with that so i went to a new dr.. now come to find out after paying 400 for a new visit that the new dr is on a list of drs cvs wont fill for..i have started wds because i had to wait 30 days before i went into a new dr so i wouldnt be doctor shoping...now im on day 3 of trying to fill new script...and cvs tells me "we have them but will not fill from that office" but they.also wont.tell you what drs are on the no fill list...why is their no fill list a big secret between cvs n the dea....i have a need.for this medicine and have no problem going to a different.dr but how much monwy do i have to waste before i find a "good" dr. why isnt.the no fill list public?

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I am in Alabama and drove 80 miles round trip last week to get my RX for 30mg Roxiodone (oxycodone) filled.
I am told that next month there will not be any of this drug within a 200 mile radius of me.
What are we suppose to do? I take Roxicodone because my co-pay for it is $15. My co-pay for Oxycodone would be $300 a month. I just can' swing it.
If there is any way to help change the law that empowers the DEA over drug manufacturers I will be glad to help any way I can.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I too have not been able to fill my roxi 30mg Rx which I have been compliant and taken for years for chronic pain. I was just told by a reputable source that the DEA halted ALL shipments and is forcing a reformulation of the IR oxycodones. Can anyone confirm this? It is so sad that we will all suffer for the negligence of a few bad eggs! I have tried others and these have been my miracle drug. They provide me enough pain control to function and work! I am sick with worry about not getting my RX filled. I have used the same pharmacy for years and I cannot pound the pavement looking for a pharmacy that will fill. They treat you like a junky and it is sickening as I am a professional who needs these to maintain my daily life!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

1) I never did vote or want national healthcare, also, I take about 40 to 50 over the counter pills a day now help with the pain (nothing works)...[acetamin.&ibuprofen]KWYSW

2) I believe there are going to be a number of people who really need their pain medication to survive, be watched by some stalker/addict near the counter and rob or kill her/him after they leave the store...

3) I posted a message below (with a lot of typos) about my experience with pian management and my fight with Oxycontin over the years...

4) I believe prior to receiving any pain medication script, the doctor should have you sign a form saying the medication is helping the pain through the brain cells, and not at the pain's location...

5) I was as dumb as a 5 lb rock back when I was prescribed 40mg Oxycontin three times a day ~ {what the hell do I know, i'm not a doctor}, because I actually thought the Oxycontin went to the existing pain location in my lower back... LITTLE DID I KNOW IT WAS ACTUALLY GOING THROUGH MY BRAIN & THROUGHTOUT MY ENTIRE BODY...

[Don't you think someone should atleast mention this to you]

REPLY

Was this helpful? 1

To Dr.Jack:

I am sorry for the delay, but changing to the Diluadid has proven problematical, e.g., oral bio-availability issue, extreme nausea, and extreme drowsiness, resulting in the theft or loss of meds that will not be replaced. It seems like I have never found a practitioner who will prescribe a quantity of both timed and instant release meds sufficient for my tolerance. Instead, I often have to resort to self-medicating. I have "severe" COPD, 8 herniated disks, and stenosis of the lumber. I seemingly cannot move when i do not have any opiates, so why should the government care about what I get? Hell, if I overdose, they save money (e.g., SSI).

I am familiar with the arrests that occurred in Ft. Lauderdale last summer, and I cannot stress the importance of finding out exactly what is transpiring behind the scene. A pharmacist told me two weeks ago to thank our "governor" and "Walgreens," which purportedly funded some kind of effort to get the Legislature to enact something. If we can only find out why distributors cut off Florida early/limited supply, then I can shop out a potential class action.
Please Help-

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

Yes I live in oklahoma and I went to my local pharm and first about 3 months ago prices doubled Isuffer from CRPS2 also known as causalgia and nothing but 30s take even adent in my pain then a few days ago I was ill and my mother not knowing I hide them in dirty jeans washed my opana er and 30s I have the best Dr in the world so he savedmy but and wrote me a 1 time emergency refill I went to 12 pharms before Ilucked upon a walgreens who had just received an emergency shipment everywhere else said no more til next year

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

How many of you folks are tired of being looked at as a criminal by other criminals? When you go into a pharmacy to fill your opiate script and the foreign pharmacist eyeballs you like your a dirt bag scum. They think low of you on one hand and on the other hand they gouge you on the prices which makes them criminals. Maybe they should look in the mirror next time they judge. P.S. I said foreigner because not very many americans in the Pharm biz any more

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

response to ChrisF:
The AMA is a lobbying organization with opinions. The DEA is a federal regulatory agency with ENFORCEMENT authority. If they have different opinions who would you listen to?

to Tweaky Marie:
Opioid withdrawal is RARELY fatal. It just feels really bad.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

All it will take is several people dying from withdrawal and the state being sued for manslaughter. You all wanted government healthcare and voted for this, remember that!

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

I can't believe how many typo's I made in the above comment.
The divorce was signed in 2011, not 2001. Plus I noticed a few other typos.

REPLY

Was this helpful? 0

back in the 80's Scotty's ,hardware store hicked up prices for ply wood and state of Fl,step in closed them down...

4 REPLIES

Can't find a pharmacy to fill my script for 175 oxycodone 30's. Anyone have any suggestions where to try? ## hav...

21 REPLIES

This is a nightmare!! I suffer from multiple auto-immune diseases such as Connective Tissue Disease, R.A, Livedo, Raynau...

47 REPLIES

My spouse, who is in severe, chronic pain, has been a customer of Walgreens for many years. We live in Pinellas County, ...

1050 REPLIES

Have any of you tried to order from mail order pharmacies. I have Aetna insurance, and they have an rx by mail program. ...

15 REPLIES

Is anyone in Florida having any issues getting their oxycodone 30mg filled at any pharmacy's? Especially at a Publix...

3 REPLIES

I received a call that my oxycodone was ready for pick up at Rite Aid and once I got there the pharm tech had told me th...

2 REPLIES

This is freaking ridiculous!!! Last month it took 3 weeks to fill the RX and this month, it's going on another 3 wee...

94 REPLIES

Can a pharmacist just be quite and fill the script the doctor ordered for his patient.They lie to us and then fill freds...

64 REPLIES

I was told by a pharmacist that the manufacture's are trying to alter the drug. The goal by the DEA or the manufactu...

28 REPLIES