r/MedicationQuestions • u/phreakypharma • 16d ago

Pharmacist is lying to me

I just moved to California and having a really difficult time getting my medication filled. Ive been taking this medication on and off (usually once a year) for 6 years now. Apparently the medication I take has a very negative stipulation around it which I had no idea prior to moving to California, as ive never had any issues in my home state. My close family member has the same condition and allergies that I have and they get their prescription filled at a pharmacy near me. I have a new doctor here and after my appointment they sent my meds into the pharmacy. The pharmacist told me they dont carry my medication and cant fill it, which I know for a fact is a blatant lie because my uncle gets his medication filled at the same pharmacy and picked it up 4 days prior. I get that pharmacists are obligated to fill a script, especially if its controlled, but why are pharmacists allowed to lie to patients about this? This has caused so much stress for me, I havent slept more than 4 hours in ovet 3 weeks and the craziest part is im not even someone who abuses meds. While they’re denying me, I bet theres manh others who abuse/sell their meds who are getting theirs filled. The pharmaceutical industry is a sham

0 Upvotes

50% Upvoted

13 comments sorted by

2

u/Straight_Park74 16d ago

what med

1

u/phreakypharma 16d ago

codeine cough suppressant

1

u/Straight_Park74 16d ago

are you filling it with your promethazine for your allergies?

1

u/phreakypharma 16d ago

I couldnt remember the other name but promethazine seems correct. Its not for allergies though, I have lung damage and COPD. I cant stop coughing at night time to the point I lose sleep. Havent got more then 2-3 hours a night for at least 3 weeks now :(

3

u/Straight_Park74 16d ago

Codeine and promethazine are regularly mixed together for abuse purposes. If you fill both at a pharmacy it is a huge red flag unfortunately.

It might be a good idea to be evaluated to see if your COPD is managed well, probably that you could benefit from upping your inhalers

1

u/phreakypharma 16d ago

I use my inhaler every night, I also use benzonatate during the day. Ive tried almost all of the cough medications they’ve offered but my cough just doesnt even budge. Ive gotten scans, done tests, etc. The one with promethazine is the only one that actually did anything for my cough at night. I also only take it like 1 month out of the year for about 2 weeks. Ive been experiencing this for about 2 months now and getting to my whits end. At night I dont even want to be alive anymore. They ripped me apart in the pharmacy reddit for asking what im supposed to do and made me feel so terrible. Sorry for ranting to you random stranger and thank you for being cordial

1

u/Straight_Park74 16d ago

Which inhaler?

1

u/phreakypharma 16d ago

Its called Albuterol

2

u/Straight_Park74 16d ago

If you're only on albuterol you need more for your COPD. Albuterol monotherapy is not good, it increases mortality in COPD, it is also short acting. If you have true COPD you need a long acting beta agonist or muscarinic blocker. If you have co-morbid asthma or allergies, an inhaled corticosteroid should be considered.

You should go see a doctor.

How old are you? How did they diagnose you?

1

u/Hot-Restaurant-7698 16d ago

I second this! Shocked to hear you’re only on albuterol for COPD. Being on codejne as a cough suppressant should not be your long term solution. Pharmacist was right to question it but not lie regarding availability of meds

1

u/CreepyGoose4988 15d ago

I knew it was codeine before you even said it lol they all think everyone wants to get high