Urgent care facilities do not typically prescribe long-term pain management drugs, like narcotics. However, there are a few exceptions, such as in the case of acute shingles or renal colic. In those cases, patients should be prescribed a non-opioid NSAID such as acetaminophen. However, if a patient experiences chronic pain, a physician should evaluate the underlying cause of pain before recommending a pain medication.
Long-term pain management medications are not prescribed at urgent care
Urgent care centers are not licensed to prescribe long-term pain management medications. However, some urgent care centers do have the ability to prescribe short-term pain medications for their patients. In such cases, they may prescribe ibuprofen or Tylenol. Whether or not these medications will help you deal with chronic pain is not the responsibility of the urgent care physician. It is better to seek the advice of a doctor who specializes in pain management.
Urgent care doctors can prescribe a wide range of medications, including antibiotics, anti-viral and allergy medications. In addition, they can also prescribe medication to treat stomach or respiratory problems. The pharmacy in most urgent care centers is close by so that you can fill your prescriptions quickly. However, doctors at urgent care clinics cannot prescribe long-term pain management medications or narcotics. Patients seeking long-term pain management medications should see a primary care physician.
Most urgent care physicians do not prescribe long-term pain management medications. However, they can prescribe medications for short-term pain relief. They can also fill a prescription for high cholesterol medications and blood pressure medications. In addition to prescribing medications, urgent care clinics can also offer advice on diet, exercise, and stress management.
Urgent care clinics often have antiviral medications for flu and other viral infections. However, it is best to get a diagnosis as soon as possible to avoid serious consequences. For example, a patient suffering from a stomach condition may be given medications that will last for 30 days. However, if the pain persists for more than two days, the patient should see a primary care physician or gastrointestinal specialist.
There are many common types of pain syndromes that require prescriptions for long-term pain management. These include post-herpetic neuralgia, discogenic pain, fibromyalgia, cancer pain, chronic headaches, and Lyme disease. Most urgent care clinics can fill these prescriptions before a patient leaves the clinic.
Patients seeking narcotics from urgent care
Urgent care providers must be aware of the warning signs of patients seeking narcotics. They may be feigning pain or muscle aches to get an opioid, or they may be addicted to pain killers, sleeping pills, or muscle relaxants. It is important to educate patients on safe administration of controlled substances, and limit the length of prescriptions to three days.
Drug-seeking patients are a recurring problem for urgent care practitioners, and awareness of these patients will help prevent the misuse of prescription medications. Some EDs have implemented habitual patient files, case management programs, and increased physician education to identify and treat patients at risk for drug addiction. Other EDs have created screening tools to recognize chronic pain patients who are seeking narcotics.
One study examined a retrospective chart review of 152 drug-seeking patients and 172 controls with age and gender matched characteristics. The study found that drug-seeking patients made more frequent visits to the ED and were more likely to report excessive pain than the control group. In addition, drug-seeking patients reported higher pain levels than the control group, and some reported pain levels of greater than 10 on a scale of one to 10.
Signs that a patient is drug-seeking
Drug-seeking patients can be difficult to detect, especially in an urgent care setting. However, there are some common signs that indicate that a patient is drug-seeking. These behaviors may include requesting more than one prescription, not following up with primary care appointments, or exaggerating symptoms. It is imperative to work with a patient to identify the problem and find appropriate treatment.
Patients who are drug-seeking will often attempt to present an impressive injury history. Unfortunately, they will often change their story throughout the examination, making it harder to determine a rational reason for their symptoms. To avoid this situation, a doctor should pay close attention to the patient’s story and take note of any inconsistencies. Identifying the problem early can save time and trouble for both the patient and the physician.
One of the most common signs of drug-seeking behavior is the use of prescription pain medications. These medications come with side effects and aren’t appropriate for every patient. Most people would look for alternative treatment for pain, and if a patient isn’t willing to do so, it might be a sign that a patient is drug-seeking. Another sign of drug-seeking is that the patient exaggerates their pain in order to receive a prescription. In many cases, a patient will be perfectly fine walking into the office, but describe their pain as crippling.
Drug-seeking patients can also visit several doctors for the same medical problem. This is referred to as ‘Doctor Shopping’. While it’s never harmful to get a second opinion on a medical problem, multiple visits to doctors and pharmacies can be a warning sign that the patient is looking for drugs.
Although these signs can be difficult to spot, they are recognizable. Careful observation of these common signs can help caregivers identify the problem. If you suspect someone is abusing prescription drugs, the best thing to do is to get help for them. Often, addiction to prescription medications is difficult to treat, so intervention may be the best way to get them to stop their drug-seeking behavior.
Getting a prescription refill
If you need to get a prescription refill quickly, there are several options available to you. While most large pharmacies have automated refill menus, you may need to visit a smaller pharmacy to receive assistance. Many pharmacies also offer smartphone apps for requesting refills. Some of these services will also deliver your medication to your home.
Urgent care centers can fill prescriptions for some medications, but they cannot fill a long-term prescription. This includes medications for chronic conditions or diseases that require close monitoring, and for those who cannot reach their usual doctor. It is always a better idea to see your primary care physician for any long-term treatment, since they can prescribe dietary changes to help you manage your condition.
While you can fill a prescription at urgent care centers, you should be aware of the state laws regarding emergency prescription refills. In many states, you can only get an emergency prescription refill if your health is at risk. Moreover, some states only allow emergency refills during natural disasters. Also, some states have strict rules regarding Schedule II drugs and substances with high potential for abuse. If you are unsure whether your state’s laws allow emergency prescriptions, call your doctor and pharmacist for more information.
While urgent care physicians can fill prescriptions, they cannot fill long-term pain management medications. However, they can still provide health advice and prescribe one-time-dose medications. For more serious conditions, they can also refer you to your primary care physician, who can follow up on your care and monitor your prescriptions.
Urgent care centers also take some forms of insurance. Check with your insurance provider to confirm coverage before you visit a doctor. It is never a good idea to visit an urgent care clinic without first calling your insurer. You do not want to receive an unexpected bill or to have to pay an unfavorable co-pay.