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What to do if I run out of bupropion?

Posted by adenosin @adenosin, Dec 23, 2023

Hello, I am new here, and I don't know if this is the appropriated place to ask this, but I feel in a kind of an -almost- emergency. I have been taking quetiapine for about 2 and a half years, 200 mg in the night, and three months ago my psychiatrist added bupropion 150 mg, 1 intake in the morning. It seems that bupropion has worked good for me in many ways. However, I have bupropion for about 2 weeks more, I have asked for the prescription to my psychiatrist and he keeps telling he is sending it, but he hasn't. If I don't get a prescription in the next days I am visiting the local hospital hoping that they can provide me with the medication. My question is, in the worst of the cases, if I don't get the medication, is it safe to start taking bupropion every other day? I tried to stay one day with no bupropion, and the effect of the quetiapine felt very strong in the night. I just want to have an option for the worst of the cases, it is almost impossible to find another psychiatrist in such a short period of time and on this time of the year, and taking bupropion every other day may give me a few weeks to find another psychiatrist if needed. Thanks in advance!

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Mentor
Cheryl, Volunteer Mentor | @cehunt57 | Dec 24, 2023

@adenosin welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. That is concerning to hear of your potential shortage of your medication. I would continue trying to contact your psychiatrist for the prescription. Could you ask about refill options versus a new prescription? Sometimes “scheduled meds” can only be refilled at certain intervals. Sometimes the pharmacy and insurance terminology is confusing. You can also contact the pharmacy directly and explain the situation. They may be better able to get a response from your Dr. Whatever you do I would not alter or skip any doses. In the worst case scenario you could go to the hospital and explain the situation that you are running out of your prescription and not getting a response from your Dr. But in the mean time keep calling to ask. Could you do that?

REPLY
1 reply
adenosin | @adenosin | Dec 25, 2023
In reply to @cehunt57 "@adenosin welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. That is concerning to hear of your potential shortage of..." + (show)
@cehunt57

@adenosin welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. That is concerning to hear of your potential shortage of your medication. I would continue trying to contact your psychiatrist for the prescription. Could you ask about refill options versus a new prescription? Sometimes “scheduled meds” can only be refilled at certain intervals. Sometimes the pharmacy and insurance terminology is confusing. You can also contact the pharmacy directly and explain the situation. They may be better able to get a response from your Dr. Whatever you do I would not alter or skip any doses. In the worst case scenario you could go to the hospital and explain the situation that you are running out of your prescription and not getting a response from your Dr. But in the mean time keep calling to ask. Could you do that?

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Cheryl, thank you very much for your answer. I will keep trying to contact my psychiatrist. I have already asked in some pharmacies about options, they are not able to provide an emergency refill neither to contact my psychiatrist, but it seems that it is possible to go to the hospital to get some help whit this. I think you are correct about not skipping the doses, so I will keep the usual dose. I am hoping for the best.

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
Cheryl, Volunteer Mentor | @cehunt57 | Dec 25, 2023
In reply to @adenosin "Cheryl, thank you very much for your answer. I will keep trying to contact my psychiatrist...." + (show)
@adenosin

Cheryl, thank you very much for your answer. I will keep trying to contact my psychiatrist. I have already asked in some pharmacies about options, they are not able to provide an emergency refill neither to contact my psychiatrist, but it seems that it is possible to go to the hospital to get some help whit this. I think you are correct about not skipping the doses, so I will keep the usual dose. I am hoping for the best.

Jump to this post

@adenosin some people contact numerous Dr’s and pharmacies in an effort to acquire larger than normal quantities of medication. This is especially true of psychotropic medications. I’m NOT saying that is what you are doing, but that may be why the Dr. is less than responsive and the pharmacy less than helpful. Another possibility is that Dr. may want to actually see you for a follow up to review the results of the bupropion before issuing any refills or renewed prescriptions. Maybe someone in his or her office failed to relay the message to you to schedule an appointment.

REPLY
aviswalton123 | @aviswalton123 | Dec 29, 2023

Hi
I hear you and do t have the ans
I have been taking Ativan off and on for over 20 yrs
My dr has just refused to refil my prescription and I am left cold turkey..
Suppose to wean off them but she said no and gave me trazadone in its place which dosent work for me. I don’t abuse it as I only take .5 mg at night to stop my adrenaline rushes.. I am so upset ..
what to do?

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