The switch of hydrocodone-containing combination drugs from Schedule III to the more restrictive Schedule II in October 2014 significantly reduced the number of prescriptions filled for these drugs, according to a new study. Prescriptions for the combinations, including Vicodin and Norco, dropped even prior to the restriction, but comparing the 12 months prior to rescheduling to the 12 months after saw a dramatic 22% reduction in hydrocodone combination prescriptions and a 16% reduction in the number of pills dispensed. The inability to refill Schedule II drugs accounted for 74% of the decrease. Non-hydrocodone opioid prescriptions increased 4.9% in the same period (JAMA Intern Med Published online Jan. 25, 2016. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2015.7799).
The switch of hydrocodone-containing combination drugs from Schedule III to the more restrictive Schedule II in October 2014 significantly reduced the number of prescriptions filled for these drugs, according to a new study.
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