DEA May Ease Quantity Limits on Painkillers

According to a policy statement announced by the DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration), arthritis patients needing stronger painkillers may soon be able to avoid multiple trips to the doctor. The new rule would allow a physician to prescribe larger quantities of Schedule II controlled pain medications during a single office visit, when medically appropriate. Schedule II drugs used for pain relief include:

• Oxycodone (OxyContin)
• Morphine (MS Contin)
• Fentanyl (Duragesic)

Based on the patient's legitimate medical need for the prescribed medication, the proposed regulation would permit the doctor to write multiple prescriptions during a single office visit, allowing patients to receive up to a 90-day supply. A 60-day period for public comments has begun.

• The Facts of Analgesics (Painkillers)
• Preventing Abuse of Pain Medications
• Pain Management: Ways To Manage Your Pain
• Does Pain Tolerance Vary Among People Who Have Arthritis?
• When Are Pain Medications Appropriate For Arthritis Patients?

_{Photo by Andrea Gingerich (iStockphoto)}