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Medication & Prescription Policy

Pain medication often is a part of surgical care. Twin Cities Spine Center physicians can prescribe pain medication for a limited time. If ongoing pain management is needed, you will be referred to your primary physician or a pain management physician.

It is important that you share all current medication use (prescribed by any doctor) with your TCSC doctor.
 

Medication Refill Request:
 

If you have questions about a medication you are taking: 

  • Call our main office, 612-775-6200, Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. to speak to your physician's nurse. 

If you need a prescription refilled:   

  • Call your pharmacy directly; your pharmacy will contact Twin Cities Spine Center to obtain an authorization. 
  • Allow 48 hours for prescriptions to be authorized.  
  • We authorize medication refills Monday through Friday during business hours. 
  • Unfortunately, we do not authorize medication refill requests in the evening or on weekends. 

If you were recently discharged from the hospital and need pain medication refilled:

  • Call our office and ask to speak to your surgeon's nurse. 
  • Your surgeon will be contacted regarding your medication refill request.
  • Certain pain medication prescriptions require that we mail the prescription.  Please allow enough time to receive the prescription by mail. 
  • We are able to refill certain pain medication prescriptions using a computer. 

Keep these suggestions in mind when taking pain medication:

  • Call your physician's nurse clinician if you feel dizzy, nauseated or itchy after taking medication.
  • If you feel the medication is not adequate for pain relief, discuss this with the physician or nurse; do not increase the prescribed amount of medication without physician approval.  
  • Many pain medications contain Tylenol® (acetaminophen). Pharmacists recommend that acetaminophen intake should be limited to no more than 3,250mg in 24 hours. Liver damage can occur when these amounts are exceeded. Tylenol may also be found in other over the counter medications such as cough and cold medications.
  • Never mix any prescription medication with alcohol.
  • Do not drive motorized vehicles while taking prescription medication as they may cause drowsiness.
  • Pain medication can be constipating. To avoid this, eat a well balanced diet including fresh fruits, raw vegetables and other fiber rich foods.
  • Drink 6-8 large glasses of water per day.