So, I've been doing alot of research on the internet for various reasons. One of the things I found out is, (Pseudo)ephedrine is now a schedule V drug, which was new to me. I knew you had to sign papers and stuff to get it now, but i didn't know it was actually scheduled. But then again, i keep finding different sources dated at different dates, saying different things. Some say most Schedule V drugs can be bought OTC, but rules apply and blah blah blah, while others (even forums where people get nasty...) say that's ludicrous. Is this true? And if so, is Codeine available otc? The area of interest is in Virginia, by the way.
(I keep reading that as long as the codeine is with another medicine or two, and lower than 60mg/dose, than its schedule V, and therefore available otc in some places, i just need a verification from some doctors/pharmacist/etc.. Thanks alot for any effort involved in answering my question.
Answer:
It entirely depends on where you live.
In the pharmacy I work at all codeine and its derivatives are prescription only (other than DXM).
Pseudoephedrine and other ephedrine products (like for OTC asthma meds) are still OTC but are sold only by pharmacies to adults. Plan B is the same way. Recently we have started IDing for dextromethorphan products (cough suppressant) though the law doesn't say we have to.
It seems that once a product's abuse becomes popular, it becomes controlled.
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PSE can be sold to an adult at a max of 3.6 grams per day up to 9 grams per 30 days.
Plan B is sold under the supervision of a registered pharmacist to anyone over the age of 18.
DXM is voluntarily sold only to adults (not yet controlled by law, but soon will be).
Any of the above can also be sold in any form or quantity to anyone if they have a prescription for it.
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I see at least one article that makes reference to OTC codeine preparations being available most places except the US. My guess is that our repressive DEA has restricted it so much that the only things legal to sell OTC are not in enough demand to make it feasible for pharmacies to stock OTC.
Road trip to Canada?
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