Sometimes I can get early and other times it is a hassle.Can you get your refill early on the 28th day?
Can you refill a prescription on the 28th day?
Question posted by willywills on 28 Oct 2012
Last updated on 25 December 2020 by Ciabella
The information on this page reflects personal experiences shared by our community members. It is not reviewed for medical accuracy and should not replace professional medical advice.
20 Answers
Ciabella
25 Dec 2020
I live in NYS . I have went to the same pharmacy for 8 years now . It is not a chain pharmacy . I get controlled substances . I have no problem picking my meds up every 28 days ,and my meds r written for 30 day supply
KdblU13
17 Oct 2019
Today's pharmacy and the pharmacist are actually more the ones that have the complete decision on refills. I
For the Opiods you mentioned I have been told that I would be getting refilled on the morning of the medications renewal date. However I informed them in Virginia it is up to the pharmacist alone.
They do not have any requirement to refill it anytime. But they can do it 2 days, 3 days but it is their license and they are the ones that are responsible for the refill.
Now I know what you mean about the different pharmacists.
If you have not been trying to get early often. Or change doctors. I am upset when the pharmacy says they can't fill cause it is the law.
In our state they can but won't.
I know that insurance companies used to have an 80% type of renewal.
Say you have a 30 day prescription. Usually 3 weeks gone you can refill. But it is hard to find a pharmacy to do it.
I just went to my pharmacy refill site. It said I have 4 that can be refilled. If they are not a pain or anxiety medication maybe but it's getting so bad that you don't get any refilled even if Insurance or physician says it is okay.
Pain management doctors put the earliest you can refill on the prescription.
Doctors don't have much respect for pharmacist and the other way .I have been in the middle.
Now if you can get it done you are better than the doctor and insurance.
I understand the situation but it puts us in the middle.
So only the pharmacist can get it done.
Dara lochman
4 Oct 2019
I have a 28 day PRESCRIPTION can i refill it at Walgreens on the 28th day?
drrx1984
13 June 2019
wow... whether month has 31 or 30? it's thirty days no matter what month it is. if Rx does not have a date on it from prescriber it can b filled on the 28. counting day u filled it as day 1 and count 30
Erin Eliz
4 Nov 2018
Yes, most all fill schedule 2 on day 27! Quote them title 21 if they hassle you!
sleever1974
15 Jan 2018
Yes 28 days is the limit..Also the day you fill DOES NOT COUNT. Ex... You go to the pharmacy on the 5th and fill your medication, but they don't start counting until the sixth,,, So the 6th would be day 1 as you count your 28 day span until you fill again.
SHM808
17 Dec 2017
Well that depends on who is working and their ability to count. The date of the rx or the day you picked up your meds. Whether you've been flagged or not. Insurance or cash is not a factor. Carasoprodol 60 pills 3 per day, always a written script, never refills. Last script date on bottle 12/01/17. The tech told me it would be ready 12/22/17.
ykcirn
17 Dec 2017
Thanks. Hard to believe I'd be flagged if it was the first time I ever went to get a prescription there. I took the Klonopin prescription to CVS instead. And sure enough, they did a refill it in 22 days (although I didn't pick it up until 4 days after that.)
ykcirn
17 Dec 2017
Oops, just realized your comment was in response to the OP, not mine. But I wanted to provide my followup experience anyway.
SHM808
17 Dec 2017
No prob. Just fustrated too.
Rick1441
21 Oct 2017
I have been taking Klonopin (clonazepam) daily for 17 years. Today I took my new prescription to the pharmacy at an Illinois Mariano's grocery (division of Roundy's/Kroger grocery) -- first time I ever used them (since they have the Teva generic I prefer). The pharmacist claimed that they cannot fill or refill a 30-day supply until ALL -- 100% -- of the prior prescription has been filled! She claimed that they implemented that rule a few weeks ago after a government agent (DEA?) told them at a meeting that that is what is required by law. I have a hard time believing it, especially since we are only talking a C-IV substance, not a C-III or C-II like an opioid.
She also claimed that as long as I have insurance, I am not permitted to pay cash (which, with a discount card, is often cheaper for me than insurance) for any controlled substance. I *definitely* don't believe that one... I have frequently paid cash for some Klonopin rx's at the same pharmacy where I also have insurance (including at CVS..which is also my plan's drug administrator!).
Has anyone ever heard either of those claims? And what do you think of them. On the "can't pay cash for controlled substance if have insurance" claim I got her to admit that it must just be a Mariano's policy... though I doubt that even *that* is really true. Any thoughts?
Teresam6278
20 Oct 2017
I get 120 7.5/325 oxycodone a month and I fill them at Walgreens. They always fill my script 3 days early. I also get 75 2mg Xanax a month and they fill those 3 days early too.
q2axmax
27 June 2017
one pharmisist tells me he will have script ready on 28th. insurence has allready aproved. I go there today to pick up different script and ask different pharmisist will it be ready tomorrow, the 28th as i was told by her counter part. she says no not until the 1st. I am going out of town, so she says if I have some proof. Airline reservations, or hotel reservations because we are driving, then she could do it. what's up with that?
Shortstop81
29 Sep 2019
What drug was it? I’m on Medicaid and I’m told day 29 on medications that aren’t controlled substances.
zarahaltom
28 March 2017
I have a script for oxycodone, 15 mg, 4 a day. Can I have it filled on day 28 or not til day 30? My insurance will allow it to be filled. Seems most pharmacies here say they are a 30 day pharmacy.
sleever1974
15 Jan 2018
I get oxycodone 20mg 4 a day and fill them every time on the 28 day. Ex. You fill your medication on the 5th and leave. But they don't start counting until the 6th. Don't know why. So the 6th would be day 1 as you count your 28 day span until you fill your medication again.
Pagevirginia
1 April 2018
Then that means that you're suppose to take 120 pills in a 30 day period. If you get less than that in one bottle then, depending on how many you get in that one bottle, then you can get your prescription early. I get dilaudid 4mg. It says to the every 4to6 hrs. But I only get 60 in one bottle so that means I can get my prescription every 10 days
botta71
28 Jan 2017
Depends on the medication. I have got my Tramadol filled after 27 days and other times at the same pharmacy they said I had to wait 28 days but never more than 28. The only reason I do this is because I see my doctor every 95 days and on the last refill I usually do not get a new one for 33 or 34 days and do not want to run out.
OooShiny
25 Jan 2017
It is an unwritten (i.e. fictitious) rule among pharmacists that they can only fill a prescription for a controlled substance on the 29th day after the last identical prescription for that substance has been filled.
They have this unwritten rule because of the very real law that states that even though a pharmacist fills 45 times the number of prescriptions that a doctor writes, they are still *equally liable* in cases of diversion or mis-use.
scripttech
31 Aug 2016
Pharmacies have the power to use their own discretion with each person. If you display drug-seeking behavior, such as requesting early refills, most pharmacies will refuse to fill your scripts.
Most pharmacies will refill a 30-day prescription 2-days before the refill date. If the doctor writes “do-not-fill until”, the pharmacy’s hands are tied and he/she cannot fill the prescription early regardless if you offer to pay cash. It simply cannot be done regardless of your reasons.
If you take the script to another pharmacy hoping to get it filled early, you may or may not be successful depending on the pharmacy’s access to your prescription history. If the pharmacy does fill the prescription early, you run the risk of being red-flagged and possibly ousted from filling controlled substance scripts from all pharmacies. In short, you will eventually get caught.
If you run out of your meds early, it is best to return to the doctor for a new script and ask him/her to write on the script “okay for early refill.” Most PMD’s may accommodate a one-time request, but likely terminate you as a patient if you continue to request early refills.
The short of it, do your best to make your prescription last until your refill date. If you’re taking more pain meds because your pain has increased, ask your doctor to increase your dosage at your next visit.
erpsaa
30 Jan 2017
"Pharmacies have the power to use their own discretion with each person. If you display drug-seeking behavior, such as requesting early refills, most pharmacies will refuse to fill your scripts."
No, they do not have the power to use their own discretion with each person. It is Federal Law not to fill a prescription IF and ONLY IF a person displays drug-seeking behavior and that behavior is written law.
An early refill is being given a 30 day supply of a schedule II, and then presenting a new schedule II and asking for it to be filled earlier than 5 day FIVE DAYS, 7 days for Sched III-V. PERIOD, that is Federal Title 21 Law, all states are the same. Pharmacies who become pill mills and get fined, then start getting paranoid and making up their own rules.
If you're a script-tech, get a copy of the Title 21 Diversion Manual and learn something.
An early refill is NOT getting a 30 day supply and calling in the refill on day 30, but because you had medication left over and did not want to make a special trip, you come and pick it up 5 days after it was refilled and then are told the 35th day is (when you picked it up) is your new refill date for the next refill.
Are you saying if a person does not pick up a 30 day prescription on day 30, but picks it up LATE on the 35th day, that is drug seeking behavior?
If you are, perhaps a become a Burger flipping Tech, if you are not, they you did not read the person's post about Walgreens carefully and should read before commenting.
Xanman1
5 June 2017
Walgreens has a rule of one day early. CVS usually let's you get your script 2 days early.
BoxersnBurpees
25 Dec 2018
My palliative care doctor recently upped my amount. But... I have fallen and told her on two days, I actually took a couple of more for two days, which she said was fine. My problem is, it totally depends on the pharmacist/pharmacy tech on duty. Technically, they tell me 28 days from my pickup day, not the next day then count on. My last month refill was Nov 28... and my Doc has “refill on 25th.” So counting on day that was picked up, Tuesday, 25th would be 28 days. Now CVS is telling me no! I have multiple sclerosis with an arthritic neck that causes extreme headaches and our doc tells us to take a Percocet with our headache tablets. I spoke to one pharmacy tech yesterday and was told me it would be fine. Another tech today told me I have to wait til the 26..both WalGreens and CVS has ALWAYS told me counting the day you pick up is day 1... they change their tune every few days or months. I’m confused!
SWFL
28 March 2015
SORRY THIS IS LONG BUT VERY COMPREHENSIVE.
There are several issues which vary by state and pharmace - at least in Florida. Beginning in 2010 but even more so in 2012/13 it all became a big deal. First Florida ( due to pill mills) created a statewide realtime database that tracks your every move. Next several pain medication were reclassed making it even more difficult. Vicodin is now in the same class as Percocet - know as combos which allowed those drugs to be in a lower control level was reversed in mid 2013. Even Tramadol now is controlled. To make matters worse several pharmacies - mainly Walgreens was hit with a huge fine regarding their buying process of controlled meds. They basically bought them not only from the manufacturer but also middleman distributors (who's the druggie, Walgrees?) at least in Florida when you go to Walgreens ( which I will never go to again) you will see that their pharmacist are new and young.
The older more experienced ones are gone. Walgreens hold the Pharmacist personally accountable. So in return they will make you wait the full 30 days. Example : script starts on 1/1/15 for a 30 day supply won't get filled until the 30th. I was told that day 1 of the script and the refil date cannot be applied to the refil time period. So if you go in on the 28th day of the month that is like being there on the 26th and you'll be turned away and completely embarrassed by a you disrecptful gen y pharmacist! CVS also was caught in the same scandal as Walgreens but to a much lessor degree - they are better to work with provided you go to them for everything you are ever prescribed and they get to know you - even though it seems like there's a new pharmacist every 6 months. I too have a contract with my doc to always go to the same pharmacy. The next big issue you get is having to wait to just about the last day and they tell you they don't have enough??? Now what do you do? You go to other locations sand even other pharmacies and get the 3rd degree. I had a full knee replacement in June of 13 - worst pain I ever had! Made my previous rotator cuff surgery feel like nothing. My wife had to take me to 6 pharmacies before getting the script from the hospital filled Percocet 10/325 - 120. I would get we don't have enough abd won't get any in for another 2 weeks - seriously people? How are we to honor our contract? Plus the pharmacist you normally go to interrogates you about going to another pharmacy?? I think it's BS and here's why - if you come in and fill a large number of pills you then whipe out or lessen their stock. The pharmacist get one copay. They say why do that when they could fill more people that get a small script for something like a sprain or dental work. They get more copays and backend money. So they will simply tell you we don't have enough and we are on an allotment on a per month basis?? I've been there and had the doc on the phone and couldn't believe that the pharmacist was telling a DR that he/ she is prescribing a I appropriate medication and won't fill what's written - for real? Again at a Walgreens a pharmacist scolded me and I was very polite that she's the pharmacist not the dr. CVS is decent but you have to be very close to running out. I've had better luck at Publix ( large grocery store) regarding supply. Which my doc suggested I go to. But this problem is rampant and affecting many patients. I'm all for abuse prevention but that is between you and your dr. It's still a high stress issue going to any pharmacy here not knowing what they may say to you!
ALLaboutPRN
4 June 2017
It is frustrating (in my humble opinion) when people don't use at least some degree of correct grammar/spelling when posting. It makes it sometimes difficult to understand, takes away from credibility (meaning, how reliable is the information that this person is trying to convey, when they don't take time to re-read or do some spell checking?), and sometimes makes it seem as if the author is under the influence, and/or been awake way too long. Not picking at any one commentator in particular. It is important that all opinion/information be taken into equal consideration in a forum like this one. Just maybe try to sound as educated as you probably are, for the sake of discussion ;^)
InMyExperience
11 Nov 2017
I agree with the above post about grammar, etc., though what i find more frustrating is when a person speaks as though what they believe to be true is fact when in reality they are miles from accuracy lol. Whatever. Go figure I was drawn to the controversial comment and not at all compelled to respond with my knowledge based on my experience.
Here that goes. In my experience, it varies from state to state and though your insurance co. might not pay for something at a certain time, it doesn't always mean that you can't fill it and pay for it yourself.
Having said all of that, the 28th day? Come on, class 3 in any state I'd have to say YES. In my state you can't refill (like electronically) class 2 controlled substances and I'm unsure which Vicodin is. Instinctively i want to say it's a 2 bc its for pain but i believe it may be an exception. Either way no body (in mt experience) can be expected to wait until they are absolutely out of medication to refill. That's crazy.
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