How Long Do You Have To Fill A Prescription?
The prescription you receive from your doctor is valid for 1 year from the date it is written however the pharmacists may use their professional judgement to determine whether the prescription should still be used. If you have a pharmacy not filling your medication you can always find a pharmacy by using our pharmacy finder tool. If you have a prescription for an antibiotic because you had an infection 6 months ago you should consult your doctor before getting it filled or refilled. You may need a completely different medication to treat your new infection.
Most prescriptions can be refilled for up to 18 months after it is dropped off at your pharmacy as long as there are refills remaining. Controlled medications however can only be refilled for 1 year after the prescription is dropped off at your pharmacy.
Your Doctor Cannot Give You An Unlimited Amount Of Refills
Your doctor cannot write you a prescription for an indefinite amount of time. Even if you have 100 refills on your prescription you will only be able to refill the prescription for up to 18 months (or 1 year depending on the medication) from the day it was brought to the pharmacy.
This limit is for your protection. A good medical practice will insist on seeing you for an evaluation prior to writing you another prescription.
Prescriptions can be written to avoid unnecessary trips to the pharmacy. If you have a long-term condition that requires a daily maintenance medication, like high cholesterol for instance, your doctor can write you a prescription for 90-days on each fill. This way, a prescription for 90-days with 3 refills will provide you with enough medication to last you a full year.
Pill-Splitting Is An Option
One way to make your maintenance medication last longer, with your doctor’s approval, is to get a dosage that is twice as strong as you need then split the pills in half. This is only recommended with your doctor’s permission.
For example, if you only need 20mg of Lipitor you can get a prescription for 40mg and split the pills in half. This will give you twice the medication however the medication may cost more – but typically not twice as much. Be aware however that medication has a specific shelf life and loses its potency as it gets old so that extra year of Lipitor pills may be outdated before you take them all.
If you have any questions please discuss with your doctor options regarding your medication or if you need a prescription discount card you can use ours by following this link: https://easydrugcard.com/get-your-card/
