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How to Refill a Prescription Without a Doctor

Looking to refill a prescription without a doctor? We answer the most common questions surrounding this topic.

When you have a busy schedule, it can feel disruptive to have to visit the doctor just to get a prescription refill. After all, both you and your doctor know you’ve been taking these meds for long enough now. Why do you need to book a doctor’s appointment just to get a new script?

There are several reasons why a doctor would need to see you again before they can provide you with a new prescription. The type of medication you’re taking and how long ago they saw you are both factors.

But let’s stick to the primary question.

Is It Possible to Refill a Prescription Without a Doctor?

Yes, in some circumstances, it is possible to refill a prescription without a doctor. Well, without seeing a doctor in person anyway. Using the Air Doctor app, you can schedule a telemedicine appointment to get a new script for your medication.

Air Doctor has medical partners across 61 countries, meaning you can get prescription refills in nearly any country, as long as the medication is “issued for a legitimate medical purpose.”

Once a doctor reviews your medical history and previous prescription, they can electronically send your new script to a pharmacy of your choice. However, this won’t always be possible, depending on the medication you require.

If you need to get a hold of your medical records for your appointment, read this guide.

There are a few common conditions that could potentially get a prescription refill for:

  • Asthma
  • Arthritis
  • Bacterial Infections
  • Birth Control
  • Erectile Dysfunction
  • High Blood Pressure
  • High Cholesterol
  • Mental Health Issues
  • Diabetes
  • Thyroid Disease

What Prescriptions Can’t Be Refilled Online?

Naturally, certain laws and regulations prevent certain medications from being refillable online. For instance, in the United States, “No prescription for a controlled substance” can be refilled online at this time. These include, but are not limited to:

  • Narcotics: Morphine, Oxycodone, Percocet, Vicodin
  • Sleeping Aids & Sedatives: Ambien, Ativan, Klonopin, Lunesta, Xanax
  • Stimulant Medications: Adderall, Ritalin, Provigil
  • Medical Marijuana

Prescription Refill FAQs

How many refills can I get per appointment?

This is dependent on the country. However, in the instance of the United States, the FDA states that eligible prescriptions can be filled by a pharmacist for up to five refills, but may not extend beyond six months from the date of issue on the original prescription, without first consulting with a doctor.

May I use my health insurance?

Yes, you can use your health insurance to get a prescription refill online. Air Doctor has partnered with various health insurance providers to ensure you pay the usual amount of your co-pay per appointment.

Can I get a refill online without health insurance?

Yes. Even if you don’t have health insurance, you can still refill your prescription online. Air Doctor aims to help patients access professional medical doctors, at an affordable rate.

Can I also get new prescriptions online?

Yes, telemedicine platforms like Air Doctor can diagnose many medical conditions with an easy online consultation and electronically send new prescriptions to the pharmacy of your choice.

Common conditions that we can diagnose and treat with an online appointment include:

  • Cold & Flu
  • Sinus Infections
  • Urinary tract Infections
  • Sore Throat or Strep
  • Upset Stomach
  • Rashes
  • Ear Infections
  • Pinkeye
  • Bronchitis

And there you have it, everything you need to know about refilling prescriptions without having to see a doctor in person. Remember, the Air Doctor app is available on both the Google Play and Apple App stores.

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Jenny Cohen Drefler

Jenny Cohen Derfler

Air Dr CEO & Co-Founder

Jenny is the CEO and one of the Co-Founders at Air Doctor. She spent more than 20 years at Intel, most recently as general manager of its manufacturing facility in Israel and before that in various engineering and manufacturing roles in Silicon Valley. Air Doctor is her second startup having previously founded electric vehicle company ElectRoad.