JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – New restrictions are on the way for hydrocodone products and it'll change the way you get refills. Soon it will be classified as a level two drug, which means refills cannot be called or faxed in.
Some examples of the drugs involved are Lortab and Vicodin. Since 2007, more prescriptions have been written for hydrocodone drugs than any other.
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The DEA hopes the new regulation will cut down on the high number of drug overdose deaths that our nation suffers from.
"No more refills. That means going to the doctor each time to pick up the prescription because it won't be able to be faxed or sent in electronically... At least right now," said local pharmacist Gary Roberts.
Roberts is talking about new rules for hydrocodone products that go into effect October 6th.
Drugs with hydrocodone like Lortab and Vicodin will be moved from a class three narcotic to a class two narcotic, meaning refills can only be handwritten by a doctor.
Roberts said these drugs are the most effective against pain, but they're also the most addictive. The CDC released a study Tuesday and it said prescription drug deaths keep rising.
In 1999, more than 4,200 deaths were linked to opioid drugs.
By 2011, the number climbed to nearly 17,000.
The greatest increase in death rates was among Americans between 55 and 65-years-old.
"What we're suggesting right now is that if they're on this medication and they've been on it for a while, they need to get in contact with their pharmacist or physician to come up with a transition plan," said Roberts.
Roberts said because there are fewer drugs on the street these days like oxycodone, hydrocodone is becoming more of a problem when it comes to addiction.
"There's always a substitute and hydrocodone, while it was always a drug of abuse, it is probably becoming more abused because of the lack of other drugs out there," said Roberts.
Unfilled refill prescriptions written before October 6, 2014 can still be filled up until April 8, 2015.