Morg asked
Can I️ refill my clonazepam 10 days early if I’m going to be on vacation for the holidays? I️ usually get them 2 days early every month so I️ can pick up all my prescriptions at once.
Answer
Laws for filling controlled substances vary by state.
In New York for example, you are allowed up to a 7 days supply extra on hand of a controlled substance. This is sometimes known as the '7 day rule'. If you filled a prescription for Klonopin (clonazepam) on October 1st, you could legally fill the prescription on October 24th, as that would result in you having a 7 day supply on hand.
It is important to note that the '7 day rule' is cumulative. You cannot fill early every month for a controlled substance. You may only have an extra 7 days supply on hand total.
In your case, 10 days exceeds the '7 day rule' and therefore, you would not be able to fill the prescription at your pharmacy.
Again, laws vary by state, but the '7 day rule' is most common. Check with your pharmacy regarding rules and regulations in your state.
In you are travelling within the country, you may bring your prescription (or have your doctor e-prescribe the prescription) to a pharmacy that will be accessible from your location. There, you could fill it at a time that is legally acceptable.
There are rare exceptions to the 7 days rule, including lost/stolen prescriptions or if you are traveling to a location with no pharmacy. If you case is an exception, your doctor may be able to contact the pharmacy and give a verbal authorization to fill early.
