Self Prescribing

[jb2]

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If I am sick, can I write a prescription for myself or is that illegal?

 

[Smurfette]

Depends on what state you are in and what you want to write for yourself. Some states don't allow you to write scripts for you or family members, others allow you to write for anyone but yourself, and some allow you to write for yourself unless it's for scheduled drugs.

 

[primadonna22274]

Not illegal but just not a good idea. I think it's a slippery slope from a Z-pak to hydrocodone cough syrup...
I've never Rx'd for myself or family but I have on occasion whined enough that my doctor friend has written the occasional Rx for keflex (infected finger, ouch) or dicyclomine 😉
But not often and in general I don't think it's wise to go there.
Lisa PA-C

Depends on what state you are in and what you want to write for yourself. Some states don't allow you to write scripts for you or family members, others allow you to write for anyone but yourself, and some allow you to write for yourself unless it's for scheduled drugs.

 

[AJM]

I agree that it is generally not a good idea. While you can do it, writing prescriptions for yourself or your family are frowned upon. If you do it too much, your state medical board may start investigating your prescription practices. Most states don't regularly audit non-narcotic prescriptions, but sometimes unusual activities can get flagged for audit.

I never wrote a prescription for myself or a family member until a couple of months ago. 😳 I went to my pharmacy to pick up a refill of a prescription of naproxen that my doctor had written for me, only to find out that I was out of refills. I didn't want to bug my doctor about it as well as make a second trip to the pharmacy after the refill got called in, so I asked the pharmacist if I could just give him the order for the refill. 😳 He was totally fine with it (probably because it was only naproxen), and my insurance paid for it, but I still felt really weird about doing that. I felt so weird, in fact, that I will probably never do this kind of thing again. I would also never write for antibiotics for any of my family members. If I think they're sick enough to need antibiotics, then they should probably be checked out by their doctor.

 

[tigershark]

From what I've been told and seen my preceptors and friends of the family doing, nobody will care (or even know) as long as it's not scheduled...unless you are doing something ridiculous to bring scrutiny onto your prescribing habits.

 

[PsychFuture]

Naproxen is something you can easily get OTC. My father writes Rxs for our family once in awhile, but I plan to not make it a habit. All too often I see residents playing around with Derm Rxs etc. once they get prescribing privledges, or with migraine meds. I plan on seeing another doc. However it is difficult when my health insurance is so cheap that seeing someone else is very expensive.

 

[AJM]

Naproxen is something you can easily get OTC.

I know, that's why I mentioned it by name. My point was that it's such a benign med but I STILL felt uncomfortable prescribing it for myself. Besides, at the doses I was taking I would have had to get about 4 bottles of Aleve and pay 5 times as much than if I got the prescription strength that my insurance would pay for... 🙂

I guess how you feel about this topic depends a lot on what the culture is where you trained. At the programs I've been at, prescribing meds for yourself has been considered a big No-No (with the capital N's), and the general culture is that residents just don't do it.

 

[Milo]

http://www.bomex.org/docimages/MD 24671 Non-confidential Final Order 000SCC.pdf

 

[meister]

All too often I see residents playing around with Derm Rxs etc. once they get prescribing privledges, or with migraine meds.

Do residents gain rx priveleges in their last year of residency or something? I didn't think they were licensed to practice until their residency was complete.

Unless you mean the rx's were written in their hospital.

 

[PsychFuture]

Do residents gain rx priveleges in their last year of residency or something? I didn't think they were licensed to practice until their residency was complete.

Unless you mean the rx's were written in their hospital.

Most residents get their license ASAP if they are moonlighting, I believe this is the time they could start self-prescribing.

 

[usnavdoc]

Their is a difference in self prescribing and self doctoring. It is unwise to be your family's doctor with regards to chronic conditions or serius acute illnesses. But with regards to some common things. I do it all the time. As long as its not a controlled substance no one reviews this. It is mostly a personal preference.

You can prescribe at any pharmacy once you have your liscense. You have to apply for a DEA number separately to prescribe controlled meds. So if you are going to moonligt you have to get both. Interns can prescribe at their training institutions only.

 

[ramonaquimby]

Interns can prescribe at their training institutions only.

meaning what --> 'on the hospital letterhead prescription pad'? if so, is tis essentially the same thing since the script can be filled anywhere? do tell.


also - correct me if i'm wrong: one is licensed once they do one year of residency and passs step 3, right?

 

[Seaglass]

No, then you are eligble to be licensed (in most states--some require more training before being eligble). You still have to apply to your state medical board and pay a $hit-load of money to actually get your license.