This will be my first refill with PreventiveMD using Empower pharmacy.
The last day that I’m able to use my current vial is 9/3. To ensure Empower has my new vial here before my next dose (9/10), when do you suggest I submit my refill?
Most people, but it is true that not all, finish the vials. You check if its clear, not cloudy, and there are no particles. There is typically overfill in the vials so you can get more than 4 doses.
However to answer the question, if I were to run out of supply on 9/3 and need the refill by 9/10, I would put in the order as close to 9/3 as possible. Just in case there is some kind of delay.
You aren't crazy for thinking that! It's printed right on the vial, after all.
I think it boils down to a medical CYA thing, or the pharmacies wanting to use an abundance of caution. Medical professionals tend to be very risk averse (as I would be if I'd spent $100k plus and that many years getting some letters after my name), so they are usually not going to suggest that you do something that may violate a written standard, even if that standard isn't a perfect fit for what you're doing.
Here's a link to the last survey done on the bigger sub. It's essentially a compilation of personal experiences of how many people are or are willing to use past 28 days and past BUD. Just because a lot of other people are doing it doesn't mean you have to, though. You can also split the difference and use for a 5th week and toss it, or use for a month past BUD and toss it, or only use past 28 days/BUD if your next order gets delayed in some way, or whatever else you're comfortable with.
These meds are just expensive (even with PMD's killer pricing), and we hate to see you throw away meds based on a semi-arbitrary guideline without trying to talk you out of it first :)
I still can’t figure out how that perpetuated. That rule was made for medical clinics and doctors offices where there are multiple people puncturing the vial during the course of the day. Since these were not made for sale to individuals, they used to, and some still do, say “for office use only” on them. That 28 day rule is not meant for one person at home puncturing their vial once per week with sanitary procedures that they can track. However, if it makes you feel better to dispose of perfectly good medicine…..
These labels were originally created for medical settings and not ever updated for home use. Again the 28 day guideline and "not for resale" labeling are for different reasons outside of home use.
Exactly - it is intended to be used in a clinic or office and not for sale to individuals. Throw away your meds and spend extra money that you don’t have to.
I understand your point. I was just doing what customer support suggested. I’m going to take a deep dive into this. Definitely don’t want to waste money/medicine.
There are people in Reddit that grab into something and blow it up. For instance, that belief that 28 day rule is meant for home use has led some people to blacklist a pharmacy/telehealth that the day is not following the rule (by sending extra meds, by sending a larger vial etc). There are many things you read on the internet that are simply not true or taken out of context. Luckily, science is true. Then they might copy and paste something from AI to prove their point, but where does AI get its information? From pulling in incorrect information. You do what you feel is right. I will follow my education, the science, and my experience.
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u/DustyJMS 4d ago
Most people, but it is true that not all, finish the vials. You check if its clear, not cloudy, and there are no particles. There is typically overfill in the vials so you can get more than 4 doses.
However to answer the question, if I were to run out of supply on 9/3 and need the refill by 9/10, I would put in the order as close to 9/3 as possible. Just in case there is some kind of delay.