http://www.wirralhealth.org.uk

Prescriptions - important information

The service does not replace lost/spilt/stolen medication.
If you are going away and need a holiday prescription, we need at least two weeks notice to organise this.
It is important to collect your prescription on the days arranged with the doctor. These will be written on your prescription and the pharmacist is not allowed to dispense
on another day.
A Doctor usually pops in each day to sign prescriptions
-if you have to wait this means there is not a Doctor available.
If the doctor changes your prescription, this will normally come into effect when your next prescription starts, unless you have made special arrangements with your keyworker.
You have the right to change your chemist if you feel you have been unfairly treated.
If your prescription has been suspended it is the
responsibility of the Drug Service and NOT the pharmacist.



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THERE IS NOTHING WE OR THEY CAN DO IF THEY ARE CLOSED, KNOW YOUR CHEMIST'S OPENING TIMES

Diamorphine or higher levels of methadone

Although some existing clients receive prescriptions for diamorphine or high levels of methadone, no new clients would be prescribed either of these. Occasionally, people do need to raise the amount of methadone they take. However this is only agreed after a thorough assessment, and with strict controls:

A clear treatment plan specifying reduction goals
Frequent urine tests
Daily pick ups from the pharmacy

Diamorphine is not routinely prescribed as it is not as long-Iasting as methadone and is metabolised by the body much more quickly.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines are tranquillisers, such as diazepam or nitrazepam. If someone comes to the service with a benzodiazepine problem, they may be assessed for suitability for treatment. Benzodiazepines are only prescribed under very strict guidelines:

That a contract is agreed for the length and speed of detox
That the detox is shorter than the period of benzodiazepine use
That the contract is for a minimum of 1 month, and a maximum of 24 months
That the reducing regime is no slower than 2mg per month
That pick-ups are at least three times a week

This is due to the addictive nature of these substances. They are not prescribed unless as part of a detox treatment.

Methadone

It has a half-life of 1-2 days, so one dose should last all day.
Methadone does not give the same rush as heroin. Instead it gradually accumulates in the tissues and the plasma, so it takes 6-7 days after first use to get to a steady state in the blood stream. It takes 1-2 hours to absorb and peaks at 4 hours.
Users gradually become tolerant.
Suddenly stopping use will bring on withdrawals.
Methadone is not known to cause abnormalities in babies.
Methadone does not cause damage to major organs or systems of the body.
It can be dangerous to use alcohol, benzodiazepines, anti-psychotics and anti-depressants on top of methadone.
When you first start using methadone, it is usual to be placed on a "Supervised Methadone Consumption Contract" for the first 4-6 weeks. This means that you would need to pick up your methadone daily from the pharmacy, and that the pharmacist would watch you take your medication.

The law, methadone and driving

It is legal to possess and use methadone prescribed to you.
It is illegal to sell or give methadone to anyone else.
It is an offence to drive if 'unfit through drink or drugs.'
It is the responsibility of the driving license holder, not the GP or Drug Service, to inform the DVLA of any change in circumstances that may affect your ability to drive.
If you inform the authorities then you have to submit to a medical every year until three years after the treatment has finished.

Drug Service [Wirral] [Chester] [Ellesmere Port] [South Cheshire]
Alcohol Service [Wirral] [Chester] [Ellesmere Port]
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