Prescription Policies

Sonoran Spine Center physicians will prescribe pain medication for a limited time as a part of your surgical care. If long term pain management is necessary, patients may be referred to their primary care physician or a pain management physician.

Sonoran Spine Center physicians must be informed of all current medication use and if any other physicians currently prescribe medications for you.

Call us if you feel dizzy, nauseated or itchy after taking medications we have prescribed.

You are welcome to discuss medications we have prescribed or advised you to take for relief of your pain. Feel free to discuss this with the physician, physician assistant or the physician's medical assistant. Do not increase the prescribed amount of medication without a physician's permission. Refills will not be made if you “run out early” so be sure to take your medication as prescribed. You are responsible for your medications. If your pain medication or muscle relaxant medication is lost, misplaced or stolen, it will not be replaced.

Medications are refilled Monday through Friday during business hours. It is preferable for the patient to contact their pharmacy. This is the fastest way to obtain your medication refill. We will refill, if approved, within 48 hours from the time the pharmacy notifies us. MEDICATIONS ARE NOT REFILLED ON EVENINGS, WEEKENDS, HOLIDAYS OR FRIDAY AFTER 1 PM.

If you decide instead to call us, the following information is necessary when messages are left:

• Patient name
• Date of birth
• Patient phone number
• Sonoran Spine Center physician
• Type of medication
• Amount of medication
• Last time the medication was refilled
• Name and phone number of the pharmacy where medication is to be filled

All of the above information is important in order to process your request. Messages at the Sonoran Spine Center are retrieved Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5 p.m. No refills are given on Friday after 1 p.m.

NOTE: Some narcotic medications cannot be refilled by phone and you must have a new prescription each time the medication is ordered. For these medications, you need to call us instead of your pharmacy. (Some of these medications include Percocet (oxycodone), Oxycontin, Demerol, Dilaudid, Fentanyl and others in this narcotic class.) Allow enough time for evaluating and processing your request.

Important Points When Taking Pain Medication:

• Many pain medications contain acetaminophen (Tylenol). It is recommended that one not take more than 4,000 mg (4 grams) in 24 hours. Liver damage can occur when this amount is exceeded. Acetaminophen may also be found in over-the-counter medications including sinus, cough or cold medications.
• Never mix analgesic (pain) medication or muscle relaxants with alcohol.
• Do not drive motorized vehicles while taking pain medication or muscle relaxants as they may cause drowsiness.
• Pain medications can be very constipating. To avoid constipation, eat a well-balanced diet including fresh fruits, raw vegetables and other fiber rich foods. Drink 6-8 large glasses of water daily.