Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, inflammatory, multisystem, autoimmune disorder. It is a disabling and painful condition which can lead to substantial loss of mobility due to pain and joint destruction. The disease is also systemic in that it often also affects many extra-articular tissues throughout the body including the skin, blood vessels, heart, lungs, and...
Sorry if this topic has been covered before at length. The search function hasn't worked for ages on this site.
I saw my doctor last week, and she decided to move me from oral to sq mtx, and faxed the pharmacy. When I went to pick it up, the pharmacy said it had to be intramuscular, not subcutaneous, and that they couldn't give me that drug with those needles. They claimed to have both called and faxed the Dr.'s office, and hadn't had a response. I told them I was on vacation for the next few days, and they seemed to think they'd have it straight by the time I got back.
Fast forward a week: talked to the really smart, competent pharmacist yesterday. Nothing ready, nothing in stock, no communication from the doctor's office, nada had happened while I was gone. I was supposed to get a call from them today, nuthin'.
Should this be this hard? Is SQ use off-label? Sure doesn't look like it to me.
I saw my doctor last week, and she decided to move me from oral to sq mtx, and faxed the pharmacy. When I went to pick it up, the pharmacy said it had to be intramuscular, not subcutaneous, and that they couldn't give me that drug with those needles. They claimed to have both called and faxed the Dr.'s office, and hadn't had a response. I told them I was on vacation for the next few days, and they seemed to think they'd have it straight by the time I got back.
Fast forward a week: talked to the really smart, competent pharmacist yesterday. Nothing ready, nothing in stock, no communication from the doctor's office, nada had happened while I was gone. I was supposed to get a call from them today, nuthin'.
Should this be this hard? Is SQ use off-label? Sure doesn't look like it to me.
http://www.drugs.com/pro/methotrexate-injection.html
That said, IM isn't really for a lay person to inject. There are more risks if not properly trained.
While it may be "off label" it is an accepted practice. The pharmacist should not be denying you your medication because of personal preference.
http://www.pharmacist.com/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Pharmacy_News&template=/CM/HTMLDisplay.cfm&ContentID=22037
Out of curiosity, what did they want to give you that was different? Needle length, etc?
As far a difficulty getting it, there are not necessarily shortages of it, but some of the manufacturers are not making it right now.
http://www.fda.gov/drugs/drugsafety/drugshortages/ucm050792.htm
I was suppose to start injectable this month, but because production isn't at 100%, we're waiting, again. Ugh.
Good luck. I will never understand why human medicine makes things so complicated.
If anyone is looking, this vial is from APP pharmaceuticals.
Have I asked yet whether or not this has to be this difficult?
Meaning, if you use 2mL a week and a 10mL vial is the smallest available. They script out a 10mL vial every month for your 30day co-pay. They cannot prorate it. Right now, with the shortage smaller vials are harder to come by direct from the manufacturer. 40 mL vials are not on back order.
These medications are not optional. It is ridiculous that anyone should have to beg, borrow and plead to get the medication that is prescribed.
I just had a discussion with the manager at the CVS that I use for my shorter term meds(my insurance will only cover 21 days at retail; for the same price as a 30 day mail order. They also charge $30 a month for brand name at retail or $30 for 90 mail order. It is a crock!)
good luck....
marianne
Technically, no one needs an Rx for syringes.
Though, insurance companies will not cover them (even for diabetics) without an Rx.