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Key Points
- Urgent care facilities have the ability to prescribe a range of medications, whether you're seeing a nurse practitioner or a medical doctor.
- The types of medications prescribed can vary based on the nature of the illness or injury, and not all urgent care facilities offer the same services and medications.
- While some urgent care facilities may prescribe pain medications, they typically do not prescribe long-term pain medication for chronic conditions.
- If you visit an urgent care center with a bacterial illness, you'll likely be prescribed antibiotics, and some facilities even have medication-dispensing terminals for convenience.
- After receiving a prescription from an urgent care facility, it's important to note that refills will likely need to be obtained from your primary care physician.
Urgent care facilities are able to prescribe medications, from antibiotics to pain medications and more, regardless of whether you are seeing a nurse practitioner or medical doctor. They will do what they can to ensure your health and safety.
Medications Can Be Prescribed
If you're headed to an urgent care center, it is likely that you are in pain or are sick. The severity of the sickness or injury is going to vary from incident to incident. However, because of the nature of urgent care facilities, those who run them understand that medications need to be prescribed occasionally.
Not All Medications Are Prescribed At All Facilities
It's important to note that not all urgent care facilities offer the same services and medications. Because of this, you may find that some medications will not be prescribed at some facilities. In general, if an urgent care facility will not prescribe a medication, it will be narcotics. This is to help cut back on the abuse of drugs.
Long-Term Pain Management
Though some urgent care facilities will prescribe pain medications, it is unlikely that you will be prescribed long-term pain medication. If you deal with chronic pain, this is something that you should discuss with you primary care physician. In addition, if you have an increase in your chronic pain, this is something that should be discussed with a pain management physician or primary care physician.
Antibiotics and Other Medications
If you come into the urgent care with a bacterial illness, you will likely be prescribed an antibiotic. This medication will help you get better more quickly and effectively. In addition, you may be given some of this medication while at the facility. In some cases, urgent care centers are adding medication-dispensing terminals that can be convenient access points for common prescriptions.
Prescription Refills
After you have visited an urgent care facility and received a prescription, it is important to note that it will probably not have a refill available. Instead, you will need to check with your primary care physician for refills. Otherwise, you may need to visit the urgent care center again to get another prescription.
Frequently asked questions
Can urgent care facilities prescribe medications?
Yes, urgent care facilities can prescribe a variety of medications, from antibiotics to pain medications, regardless of whether you are seeing a nurse practitioner or a medical doctor.Will all urgent care facilities prescribe the same medications?
No, not all urgent care facilities offer the same services and medications. Some medications, particularly narcotics, may not be prescribed at some facilities in an effort to prevent drug abuse.Can I get long-term pain medication from an urgent care facility?
No, while some urgent care facilities may prescribe pain medications, it is unlikely that they will prescribe long-term pain medication. Chronic pain management should be discussed with a primary care physician or a pain management physician.What happens if I visit an urgent care with a bacterial illness?
If you visit an urgent care facility with a bacterial illness, you will likely be prescribed an antibiotic to help you recover more quickly and effectively. Some urgent care centers even have medication-dispensing terminals for common prescriptions.Can I get a prescription refill from an urgent care facility?
No, typically, prescriptions from urgent care facilities do not have refills. For prescription refills, you will need to consult with your primary care physician or visit the urgent care center again for another prescription.What types of professionals can I expect to see at an urgent care center?
At an urgent care center, you can expect to see either a nurse practitioner or a medical doctor. Both are capable of prescribing necessary medications.Are there any medications that are typically not prescribed at urgent care centers?
Yes, narcotics are generally not prescribed at urgent care facilities as a measure to prevent drug abuse.Are there any services that provide convenient access to common prescriptions at urgent care centers?
Yes, some urgent care centers are adding medication-dispensing terminals, which can provide convenient access points for common prescriptions.
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