Controlled medications are prescription medications that have been assigned a control number by the federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS). In order to prescribe controlled substances/medications, your doctor had to take a course and pass a test, and then register with both the Texas DPS and DEA. Being able to prescribe these drugs is a privilege, and the state and federal governments will only allow that privilege to continue if your doctor uses prescription practices that are considered safe, and comply with public safety mandates.
Drugs that are controlled in this manner include narcotic pain relievers, most of which are derived from opium. These include hydrocodone, codeine, oxycodone, Demerol, Fentanyl, Butrans, Morphine, and others. In addition, many medications used to treat anxiety are controlled, such as Xanax (alprazolam), Klonopin (clonazepam), and Ativan. Sleep inducers such as Ambien, and Lunesta are also controlled, as well as Soma ( a muscle relaxer) and Lyrica (commonly used for treatment of Fibromyalgia).
In order for a Rheumatology Solutions physician to prescribe these medications safely, your doctor will have you review and sign a Consent for Controlled Substances and a Controlled Substances Agreement. The first document will explain the risks associated with these medications and the second will explain the safe conditions you will agree to in order for your doctor to be able to prescribe these medications. The conditions include the following:
- You take the medications only as prescribed by the doctor
- You must safeguard the medication against theft or use by anyone else. Early refills, or replacement of damaged, lost or stolen medications are not routinely authorized.
- You must obtain all your controlled substances from a single physician with whom you have executed a signed contract/agreement
- You must fill all of your controlled substances at a single pharmacy, which you identify in advance.
- You will have periodic urine or blood tests to assess your compliance with safe controlled substances usage.*
- You must keep regularly scheduled appointments, so that your controlled substances refills will be done at the time of an in-person visit.
Prescribing of Schedule II Medications
Examples include hydrocodone, oxycodone, and morphine These medications will be dispensed in 30 day supplies with no refills If you run low on your medication in between appointments contact us through the portal for a refill These medications will be prescribed electronically directly from our electronic health record to your pharmacy. No paper triplicate prescriptions will be given. You will have to receive these medications from a pharmacy that is capable of processing schedule II medications electronically.
Forms
Click on the following links to access/download these forms:
- Controlled Substance Consent Form – PDF Format