What to Do If You Are Running Low on Your Regular Prescription Medicine
Realising that your regular medicine is nearly finished can be worrying, particularly if you rely on it to manage a long-term condition. The good news is that there are usually steps you can take to avoid an interruption to your treatment. Acting early is the most important thing.
Whether you take medicine for blood pressure, diabetes, asthma, thyroid disease, mental health, pain relief or another ongoing condition, it is sensible to check your supplies regularly. This gives your GP surgery and pharmacy enough time to process your request, order stock where needed and resolve any queries.
If you are running low, do not panic and do not make changes to your dose unless a healthcare professional has advised you to do so. Start by checking how much medicine you have left and follow the appropriate route for obtaining your next supply.
Check Your Medicine Supply and Prescription Details
First, look at each item carefully. Check the number of tablets, capsules, inhalers, patches or other doses you have remaining, and work out how many days they will last when taken as prescribed. If you have several regular medicines, check them all, as repeat items may not always be due at the same time.
It can also help to check:
- The name and strength of the medicine
- Your dosage instructions
- The date you last ordered or collected it
- Whether you have any repeat prescription remaining
- Whether your GP has asked for a medication review, blood test or other check before issuing more medicine
Try not to wait until you have taken your final dose before requesting more. GP surgeries commonly need time to authorise repeat prescriptions, and pharmacies may need to order certain items. Ordering in good time can prevent unnecessary stress and helps ensure your treatment continues smoothly.
Request Your Repeat Prescription as Soon as Possible
If your medicine is on repeat prescription, request it through your usual GP surgery process. Many practices offer several ways to do this, such as the NHS App, the practice’s online prescription service, a paper repeat slip or a request made through the surgery.
Use the method your GP practice recommends and only request the items you need. Ordering medicines you do not currently require can lead to waste and may make it harder to keep track of what you have at home.
Once your prescription has been approved and sent electronically, your nominated pharmacy can usually begin preparing it. If you have chosen Barnes Pharmacy as your nominated pharmacy, your electronic prescription can be sent to us for dispensing.
If you are unsure whether your request has been received or authorised, contact your GP surgery. If the prescription has already been issued but you are waiting for it to be dispensed, contact the pharmacy so the team can check its status and advise you on the next steps.
If You Need Medicine Urgently
If you are close to running out, or have already run out, act promptly. Speak to your usual pharmacy first where possible. A pharmacist can check whether a prescription has been sent, whether your medicine is in stock and what options may be available.
In some circumstances, a pharmacist may be able to provide an emergency supply of a prescription-only medicine without a prescription. This is not guaranteed and depends on the medicine, the pharmacist’s professional assessment and whether there is sufficient information to confirm that the medicine is suitable for you. You may need to pay for an emergency supply, even if you normally receive NHS prescriptions.
Emergency supplies are not appropriate for every medicine. There are additional legal and clinical restrictions for some medicines, including certain controlled drugs. It is therefore important to speak to a pharmacist as soon as you recognise there may be a problem.
If your usual pharmacy is closed and you need advice urgently, contact NHS 111. They can advise on the most appropriate local service and may be able to direct you to an out-of-hours pharmacy or other urgent care option. If you have severe symptoms or believe your condition is life-threatening, call 999 or attend A&E.
Do Not Borrow, Share or Stretch Medicines
It may be tempting to borrow medicine from a friend or family member, take someone else’s medication or reduce your dose to make your supply last longer. These options can be unsafe. Even if a medicine has the same name, the strength, formulation or directions may differ. Medicines prescribed for one person may not be suitable for another.
Do not split tablets, miss doses or take medicines less often than prescribed unless a doctor, pharmacist or other qualified prescriber tells you to do so. Some medicines need to be taken consistently to work properly, while others can cause withdrawal symptoms or a worsening of your condition if stopped suddenly.
If you have already missed doses, do not double your next dose unless you have specifically been advised to do this. Check the patient information leaflet supplied with your medicine or ask a pharmacist for guidance.
Medicines That Need Particular Attention
Some regular medicines should not be stopped abruptly without medical advice. This can include medicines used for conditions such as epilepsy, diabetes, asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, heart conditions, blood clot prevention, steroid treatment and certain mental health conditions. The exact advice depends on the individual medicine and your health needs.
For example, running out of an inhaler may affect your breathing control, while missing medicines for diabetes or seizures may carry particular risks. If you are becoming unwell because you do not have your usual medicine, seek urgent clinical advice rather than waiting for your next routine appointment.
Tell the pharmacist or healthcare professional exactly what you have taken, when you last took it and whether you have any symptoms. Taking the medicine box, repeat slip or a clear photograph of the label can be helpful if you are speaking to an unfamiliar service.
Plan Ahead for Weekends, Holidays and Travel
Bank holidays, weekends and travel can make it more difficult to arrange a prescription at short notice. Before a holiday or busy period, check that you have enough medicine for the time you will be away and allow extra time for your prescription request to be processed.
If you are travelling abroad, consider whether you need a larger supply, a copy of your prescription or a letter from your prescriber. Rules about carrying medicines vary between countries, especially for controlled medicines. Ask your GP surgery, pharmacist or travel provider well before you travel if you are unsure.
At home, keeping medicines in their original labelled packaging makes it easier to identify them, monitor your supply and explain what you need if you require help urgently.
How Barnes Pharmacy Can Help
Your pharmacy team can support you with questions about your prescription, the availability of medicines and the best next step if you are running low. They can also explain how electronic prescriptions work and help you understand when to contact the pharmacy, GP surgery or NHS 111.
Where an item is unavailable, a pharmacist may be able to advise on expected availability and whether your prescriber needs to consider a suitable alternative. Do not switch to an alternative medicine without professional advice, as different products may not be equivalent.
Making prescription management part of your routine can reduce the chance of last-minute problems. Set a reminder to check your supply, request repeat medicines with enough time to spare and keep your nominated pharmacy details up to date.
Arrange Your Prescription Service
If you would like support with managing your regular medicines or setting up your prescription service, Barnes Pharmacy is here to help. Book your prescription service with our friendly team in Welwyn.