Medication Prescription Policy
Prescription and Refill Policy:
Prescriptions and refills will be provided only during regular office hours: Monday through Friday 9AM to 5PM. Please call early in the day to allow adequate time to serve you.
Reminders:
- Take medications only as directed.
- Never take medications on an empty stomach.
- Be aware of the possibility of medication interactions.
- Monitor yourself for side effects. If you suspect an adverse or bad reaction, stop the medicine immediately and call your doctor.
- NSAIDs and narcotics should never be taken in combination with alcohol.
- NSAIDs and narcotic medications are not recommended for use by pregnant women or nursing mothers.
- Discontinue the use of NSAIDs or aspirin containing products when beginning a new NSAID. A single aspirin as a blood thinner is okay.
- Do not hesitate to call The Bone and Joint Surgery Clinic with questions or problems concerning your medication. (919) 872-5296.
- Any oral medication taken longer than six (6) weeks should be monitored by your primary care physician. We will not as a rule give NSAIDs or narcotics for more than six (6) weeks.
Medication Information
Mdications used to treat your orthopaedic condition are typically limited to a few types. In this office, two of the most commonly prescribed or recommended medicines are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and narcotic pain relievers. These medicines are typically safe and effective. However, it is important for you to consider potential interactions of the medications with any underlying health conditions or other medicines you are currently taking. Please consult your medical doctor, pharmacist, or our office if you have any questions about medications we have prescribed or receommended.
This webpage contains brief descriptions of the intended effects and more frequent side effects of NSAIDs and narcotic pain relievers. The information is not intended to be all inclusive. Questions are encouraged. Further information is available by talking with your orthopaedist, medical doctor, or pharmacist.
NSAIDs
(Non-Steroid Anti-Inflammatory Drugs)
NSAIDs include many generic and non-generic medicines used to treat inflammatory conditions such as tendonitis, bursitis, and arthritis. The drugs block your body's inflammatory response and help reduce pain and swelling. Stomach related problems are the most common reason for discontinuing medicines. If you experience heartburn, nausea, cramping, diarrhea, indigestion, or black stools, stop taking the medicine immediately and contact your doctor. Other side effects include, but are not limited to, itching, rash, and fluid retention. These are all reasons for stopping the medicine. If you suspect side effets, including any not listed here, stop the medication and contact your physician.
The use of NSAIDs for a few weeks at a time usually requires no special monitoring. With long terms use of the medicines, periodic blook chimestry analysis is indicated. Regular monitoring is recommended at 4-6 month intervals and can often be combined with your regular medical checkups. The following is a list of commonly used NSAIDs. It does not include all availabel medicines in this category.
Advil, Aleve, Anaprox, Ascriptin, aspirin, Cataflam, Clinoril, Daypro, Disalcid, diclofenac, Dolobid, Feldene, fenoprofen, ibuprofen, Indocin, indomethacin, ketoprofen, Lodine, mefanamic acid, Motrin, Nalfon, Naprosyn, naproxen, Nuprin, Orudis, Oruvail, piroxicam, Ponstel, Relafen, sulindac, Toradol, Trilisate, Voltaren.
COX-2 Inhibitors
Celebrex and Vioxx are also NSAIDs. These "COX-2 Inhibitors" work by a different mechanism than the medications listed above. They have less reported gastrointestinal side effects and no specific monitoring is recommended. Check with your medical doctor or pharmacist regarding potential interactions with other medications.
Narcotic Pain Relievers
Narcotic pain relievers are intended to offer actue relief by dulling the sensation of pain. Other senses are also affected. All narcotic pain relievers cause some element of sedation or drowsiness. They make you less alert. They should not be taken with other sedating medications (e.g. sleeping pills, antihistamines, etc.). Do not drink alcohol, drive, operate machiners, or make improtant decisions while taking thses medications. Nausea, constipation, itching, and rashes are additional, occasional side effects. Long term use may be addictive or habit forming.
Common examples of narcotic pain relivers include: codeine, Darvocet, Darvon, Demerol, hydrocodone, Lorcet, Lortab, meperidine, morphine, Percocet, Percodan, propoxyphene, Tylenol #3 or #4, Tylox, Vicodin. Some of these medicines also include acetaminophen (Tylenol) or aspirin products. If you are allergic to, or have had a bad reaction to these products, please inform your doctor or pharmacist before filling your prescription.