2011 30 Mg Oxycodone Shortage (Page 4)
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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?

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Yes, it is sad that quality pain meds, will possibly be deleted for use, or ruined by changing the formula to make them undesireable to abuse, as those that use them for pain and don't sell them, even tho it is very attractive to want to sell them because of how much can be made so quickly. I, myself have had it cross my mind, but after almost 2 years of being prescribed I would not let myself become one of those I criticize, and I do need them, but I sure could use several thousands of dollars, but I also would be losing my honesty, and that's in not for sale. Oxycodone was made illegal in Canada last month. Qualudes were made illegal decades ago, can you see the writing on the wall?? Roxies are not illegal in Florida, if that was so, several others that are the same would be illegal in Florida. Also, they can't make it illegal in one state, and not another, unless the Florida legislator made it so, and the Governor signed it. That has not been done, and it would cover all oxycodone of the same, as in time release, or immediate release. They ruined Talwin, by saving it from going to a schedule IV to a II by making it Talwin NX, any pain relief it had, was loss. I'm tired of government solving problems, by just making it illegal. The easy way out!!

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the rumors are looking like they are true.a friend of my who is termanly ill went to the dr.yesterday.and was told that they dr. are no longer allowed to prescribe the drug roxiecodone in the state of florida.at this time.this is due to all of the sells of the drug and the high traffic from all other states comeing to florida to see dr.s...alot of money to be made from those ll 30s.you figure if you sell 230 of those that is 5700 $ in a very short time.it seems that eveyone i know anymore is on theses pills and it is sad ....and now the ppl that really do need this medication for pain can no longer get it.im sure they will come out with another great pain pill and it will be just like this one sad but true

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@Flsux91, You are right about a lot of rumors around, and you are right about what you KNOW. I can let you know why mom and pop usually get less than chain ones. They usually order less, of all meds combined than chain pharmacy, and the warehouses give the biggest percentage to them, but they don't always get what they ordered, that is fact.You know what, the real truth is no one is assured anything when ordering when things are short. The last script of Diluadid, that I asked the Managing Pharmacist at a Busy Wal Mart if would order more said he would order more since I was getting them filled there now, and when I picked them up he said luckily they had them this time as they didn't have them the last 3 months, Walgreen did, but he said I will order more for you, BUT that does mean we will get them though, but hopefully we will, and I thanked him. So, that says, no matter who you are, there's no guarantee, just a better chance at some than others, as you always take care of your best customers first in any business, and down the food chain. I'm not sure of the term allotment, as that means you get a certain amount predetermined, is the way I would understand the word, and nothing is predetermined except at the manufacturer as they decide they can make this many for the next shipment if they juggle some help around where they aren't needed right now because the warehouse ordering is down on carisoprodol which they make and because Dr's have cut back on the scripts of them, and prescribing more Robaxin and Flexeril and they don't make them, and since the Soma's are Schedule IV's now, since January 12th the orders in actually real life will go down. Unfortunately the only ones that are really sweating it and care are the patients with the scripts and no one else!!!

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Just wanted to get in on the discussion here and cover a Lil bit of everything I've been hearing/reading/researching.... I'm a 28 yr old woman with spinal stenosis, degenerative disk disease, 3 bulging/herniated discs, 3 pinched nerves 2 of which are my sciatic in both legs, sciatica, spondylitis, and myelopathy among others I can't spell or remember due to all the issues I have in my back and legs. I've been goin to pain management now for 3 yrs and recently had to switch to a family doc who writes oxy due to the whole ordeal. I live in the panhandle have to travel 6 hours south ( referred by my family doc here) come back and then travel upwards of 6-8 hours into Alabama or Mississippi to get my meds filled:180 of 30mg oxy, 60 of 10mg percs and 90 flexiril.
Many numerous times have tried to get them filled on the way up only to have ALL the pharmacists tell me they can't fill over 5 counties away!?!?!? But Alabama and Mississippi have no problem filling nor shortages! I am a legitimate person in real agonizing pain I deal with every day. I have an 18 month old daughter whom I can't even pick up due to weight restrictions from the docs, have quit my job due to pain and dr visits requiring me to miss many days. Our wonderful government won't allow me disability because my hands still work!
I'm sorry to make this so long but feel better knowing I can vent and am not the only one dealing with all this Bulls**t. I hope and pray something is done real soon for all of us legit pain patients who aren't drug dealers and are in serious need of our meds! Please please let me know of any petitions to sign or people in high places to contact! I'm in this for the long run and wish everybody the best of luck! God bless all of you and may he hear our prayers and send us some relief!
P.S. sticking to the mom n pop places is the best thing that has worked for me as well as appearance too!

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Theres a ton of rumors flying around. Im not sure what the truth is on oxycodone - i hear bits and pieces from places depending on how talkative and friendly the pharmacist feels like being with me. I have heard the term "alotment" thrown around by mom and pops. A woman at a local pharmacy told me that mom and pops get a lesser alotment than chain pharmacies - she told me they order enough for their elderly monthly clients and not any more since their alotment is so much smaller. I know stores are ordering less than they used to. Thats fact. I also know that doctors write out more prescriptions than their is oxycodone in existance. I know pharmacists have the right to not fill your script for any reason, even if they dont like the color of your shirt. Thats just the law. I dont know much more than that. Its all rumors and what ive gathered from personal experience. Just grateful i got my script filled after withdrawling for two of the longest weeks of my life. Terrified to experience that again next month.

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BTW AGAIN, I was unaware until today that carisoprodol was a Federally controlled Schedule IV drug as of last January 12, 2012, I knew that 17 states had it's own controlled substance list whatever that means, they want to play and try to be the DEA or what :) But the DEA on 12/12/2011 proclaimed it to be and effective 01/12/2012.

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BTW, I did not mean to offend anyone with the presentation of yourself at the Pharmacy. It's not right, or fair. It is tho, a fact of life unfortunately. Carl

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@Judy Yes the DEA...I wouldn't say allotments, rather they estimate for the next year in the last quarter of the year how much is needed to cover the legal demand for the year. It is done with ALL schedule II drugs, not just oxycodone. The premise for doing this is so they don't way over produce causing more ability for diversion of the drug. They aren't limiting it for the customer, the Dr, the Pharmacist, only at the production level, where they are allowed only to produce what the DEA measures in tons(pure) not pills as to cover for that year enough medication for the year and NO more, and of course they would rather underestimate, than over estimate. Hence the shortages at year end, and at the first of the year waiting for production, to warehouse, everyone short at all pharmacy's, so warehouse rations out to be fair to there customers, hence more shortages, until as far as into April, depending on manufacurer. Remember they have other meds to make, they are not going to hire more people for a few months to make more of one drug they make, or have overtime.

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@Sandy, I did it again :)
@Mark-279....You are absolutely wrong. The DEA is not telling them to cut their stock at all. Pharmacy's, just as any other retailer, if things went perfect for them, they would have just enough stock for their customers and not one piece more. They don't want to carry excess stock, nor be short, excess stock is an expense they don't get any profit from, a shortage of stock cost too, loss of sales. You and many others seem to think oxycodone is all that pharmacy's think about. Honest ones, as those that don't jack up the prices ridiculously and are just drug pushers. The chain ones don't do that. They stock thousands of drugs, and one of the cheapest is my Diluadid, cash price next to it. Advair, months supply one inhaler $196.12. #30 of an antidepressant...name just slipped my mine $496.82, my Diluadid if paying cash, under $ 30.00 #120. Where is the profit, huh???? not Diluadid. That they really carry as a courtesy to their clients and also not to lose them. The DEA watches the Pharmacys that carry a larger than usual Schedule II drug, and especially in Florida oxycodone. The chain pharmacys go all out to satisfy their usual customers. Not the ones that have only a oxycodone script over the years, or don't regularly get it filled there, let say cholesterol meds, and blood pressure meds. I have dealt with many pharmacies over the time. They want your business, legitimate business. The rest is a pain in the neck for them and they bend over backwards to keep in stock what they need, including your Lipitor,( it just went generic) or Prozac, or ampecillin, tramadol, whatever, but when you come in with one script of oxycodone type meds, don't know you, or do, and that is all, all the time, you are not a dear customer to them. Not a big profit and the DEA hassling you if you make a mistake, or have a larger than usual stock, especially if it doesn't match the need. Where I go, and 11 scripts, they carry a few hundred of both my schedule II's. One has always worked out the other they started ordering 100 more, as that kind of meds they order once a week, don't want to overstock, poor policy and a target from criminals to law enforcement, just enough to take care of there regular customers. You pop in, with a script for #180 out of nowhere, they will be short that week, if they know you because last month you were in for a few scripts for the flu, they will accomadate you and if it's going to be every month for you, they will keep another 200 on stock. The sell tons of Lipitor, they keep alot, overstock, no problem, will unload next week. 30mg Roxies, they don't have a sale every day as they more than do on Lipitor. Someone breaks their arm and gets #30 Percocet 5mg, one time deal. A couple get #90 Perc's a month with there other meds, keep stock for them. Oxycontin larges bottle to the pharmacy is #100. Xanax comes in 1000 and Percocet is 1000. These are scripted a lot, manufacturer accommodates. The DEA are not concerned with Pharmacys that have a couple hundred a week of each dosage of Oxycontin, and a few more for the most common scripted. If the Pharmacy is getting 2000 a week of each, guess what, the DEA will be watching the scripts for that product, if all is legit, then all is well, if all are from the same Dr. mostly, they take a look at the MD with some scrutiny, checks to see where else the MD meds are being filled for and how many. The DEA is not down on the Pharmacy, if they are clean, but the Pharmacy may just stop filling that Dr's scripts, because they feel to much narcotics and that is all, is a Dr. that is going to be trouble, The DEA may inform the pharmacy he is being investigated. There is no money in opiates to the honest Pharmacy, they may cut that Dr off just because of the heads up, not that they were told. That would be illegal to restrict trade by an honest pharmacy. But, as I said , no money in it, and if they obviously are filling scripts for a Dr, that is obviously not normal, they have the right to stop filling them, and they usually do, because they may be seen as in bed with them, knowing it's not normal, and still supplying, then they are in trouble with the DEA. Just because the scripts are on a legal paper and the Dr is a Dr. doesn't give the Pharmacy a pass on knowingly filling scripts that are written for a non legitimate reason. If your an honest Pharmacy, you don't mind cutting off a Dr's script for narcotics as I said, there is no money in it. Only for illegitimate reasons is there money in it...... THE DEA DOES NOT CARE TO BOTHER LEGIT PHARMACY'S IN FLORIDA! LEGIT PHARMACY'S DON"T FILL LARGE SCRIPTS OF OPIATES BY MD's FOR A LONG PERIOD FOR MANY CLIENTS IN ANY STATE.

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i know this is late coming to you but i am curious as to how you are doing. i hope great!! what you went thru is crimminal!! something similar happened to me & i went to an urgent care with much success. hope this was helpful. judy

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the same thing is happening in calif. i tried to fill oxycodone in oct 2011 to no avail. i have a residence in arizona who has had access to this medication. i have been told that the dea makes "allotments" so to speak. from what i understand that means x amount of a certain medication is allowed to be produced & shipped for distribution. i have found that in calif. the larger pharmacies (CVS, Walgreens, etc) don't & can't get it but the smaller (mom & dad type) pharmacies have gotten it & have no problem getting more. hope this helps. judy

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Try Kays pharmacy,on 3500 e. fletcher ave.,in tampa.They always are in stockt try and keep it under your hat,so we can get them at all times

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Unfortunatly,this all started because of the newspapers,who created a problem,where none existed,accept for out of town junkies,who are now outlawed.The funny thing is alchohol,kills more people in 1 week,than pain killers do all year,and alchohol has no redemptive value.This has also spiked the prices.

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I cannot believe you folks do not know what it happening. I heard this from ALL pharmacists that I know. The DEA has gone to all the pharmacies in the Miami area and threatened them that they must cut by 50% their oxy supply. If they do not they will close them. How are they able to do this? Correct?? Who knows, but they have and they are, until this hits the newspapers and our congress representatives nothing will change. Nothing. Do your research and you will find that there is no shortage except that the DEA has closed or attempted to close the distributors and these companies do not make enough money on these items to make it worthwhile to fight with the government. It is easier for them to start manufacturing a different product like blood pressure medication. Check it out you will see. Oh and by the way, it is not just the immediate release it is all forms of oxycodone, i am serious this is straight from the goverment

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No worries Carl! Def wasn't shooting the messenger just wanted to set record straight. We are getting our bums handed to us here in Florida right now. Diversion still happening. Reports of patients being profiled, threatened with violence just all sorts of nuttiness going on.
As for how one looks when going to the pharmacy, I always rec on takes it as serious as a job interview. How would one present themselves for a job? Though it's not nec fair to think that just because a patient looks a certain way that they're a junkie. Under treated pain and illness can result in a persons appearance declining. Plus there is something about FL that I noticed. Probably lack of good insurance that means so many are lacking teeth. Well, that and the water and the sweet tea!

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China White hit the East coast? Been along time sense I have heard of that floating around. Long time of tar. OT. Maybe seeing the future of the lack of oxycodone being around????

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heroin you r east coast get china white pretty much same thing just not in pill form u dont have to shoot it up either smoke a little andsnort a little same effects used to abuse oxy for long time h faster eaiser china white is pretty clean

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The first of the year I had to have my scripts at Wal Mart or Walgreen to have $0 co payment on all my meds because of the Drug Plan Part D I chose to have with Medicare @ $24.70 a month. I have gone to Walgreens the last 3 months, even though all my scripts were transferred to Wal Mart (except of course the Schedule II's). I have 2 Schedule II meds. Walmart always had the one of the schedule II's, but never enough to fill my other, Diluadid. I asked Wal Mart Manager Pharmacist if he could keep more on stock. No problem he said, and sure enough all 11 meds were all filled this week with the Diluadid and 3 others today and the other schedule II yesterday and the others 5 that I could fill last Monday. When I was in a pinch the first 3 months. Walgreens pharmacist went and pulled 2 bottles out and came back and said they had enough. Now that I made a short story long, the jest of it, is even in the first of the year when things were tight, Walgreens came through on Jan,Feb and March. Although I personally don't need to prepare myself to pick up script, Flsux91 @ 274 made a very good suggestion about present ability when picking up Schedule II meds. @Flsux91, I take benzo's and the few times in my life when I had to go 4-5 days without. One would never work, I was still climbing the walls. I can not say if that's the same with your oxycodone, as I never had that problem with them. Glad you got your script filled, and good advise to people on being representable @ the Pharmacy. Carl

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Finally filled my script at the first place i went to upon getting into the central florida area. Anyone still looking, i recommend walgreens. The walgreens in altamonte springs (where i just filled mine) always carries actavis, and if you look on the pharmacist drug shortages list, actavis is NOT in shortage. Publix always gives me caraco which is now in shortage and they have been out for weeks. For anyone out there trying to fill, think of anywhere you got actavis or the m brand and always start your search there.
Also a drug addict appearing woman (sores on her face, no teeth, dirty clothes) in line in front of me wastold by the pharmacist "we dont have any oxycodone in the 15 and 30mg strengths" then i went to the counter afterwards and had to wait 10 minutes while they walked away with my ID and script before getting told yes. Im glad i passed their selection process :) make sure no matter how bad you feel you get presentable enough for the pharmacist.

QUESTION for anyone who can answer: i just went 2 weeks without taking oxy. Aside from my pain i was going through bad withdrawal. I took a pill two hours ago, but still feel mild withdrawal. Is it going to take a day or two for the withdrawal to cease completely? I thought id feel better immediately but i still am cold sweating, anxious, having diarrhea and im nauseous. Wondering if im sick in general or still withdrawaling
Thanks in advance for your response

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Mami,
I have tried hospitals (recommended by my usual pharmacist) but when i went I was turned down and told they wont fill oxy from doctors who are outside of the hospital. Just another special exception for oxycodone like usual. I havent tried online but im skeptical about it.

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