Needing to fill medications abroad, how to go about it?

I don't have any challenging prescriptions like that, so I don't know for sure, but this sounds difficult. I know folks on this forum have said US prescriptions are not valid in Europe.

Have you discussed this with your doctor to be sure it's not possible for him/her to issue a prescription that will cover the full length of your trip?

I would be very concerned about relying on obtaining a refill of a critical prescription overseas. I have to jump through a lot of hoops with my insurance company (Aetna) to get more than a 90-day supply of my thyroid medications, which are neither controlled substances nor expensive. I believe if I needed refills in Europe, I'd have to see a local doctor, have a blood test, and wait for the results to come back.

Can you have someone pick up the refill for you at home and send it to you via overnight mail? Or is it illegal to send those medications through the mail?

Your pharmacist should be able to tell you. I'm sure you're not the first one to have this challenge.

Your first stop should be your Doctor. While a thirty day supply is standard, there may be an option to extend that in some circumstances. I know a Family member was able to get a larger supply of some controlled drug based on an extended trip...but rules and allowances vary wildly. If not an option, then discuss further, maybe the Doctor is familiar with how you would access medication while travelling, at the very least, you are going to need documentation from him/her in order to even hope to get a Doctor in Europe to entertain writing a prescription for a Schedule II.

If the discussion with the Doctor falls through, then I guess the way I would approach it would be to figure out where I will be when I am needing a refill. Then maybe two options, contact the Embassy in the US of that Country and try to find someone who can speak to if you will be able to see a Doctor and get a prescription, it may be a short "No" or a maybe. For the "Maybe" I would try to contact the US Embassy in that country and get a list of English Speaking Doctors or "American Hospitals", then contact one of them and set something up...or find out you are out of luck. But bottom line is, have something firm set up before you go.

When is your trip? If you have enough time, maybe your doctor would be willing to change your dose in order for you to save up extra pills. I don’t take narcotics but my doc increased my script from one tablet to two which helped me save enough to get me through an extended vacation.

Is getting a larger quantity the doctor's decision, or is it your medical insurance company? That's where we've had problems.

Bringing schedule II medication into the Netherlands requires some extra documentation. See Belastingdienst Douane and is impossible to get it mailed in. This will be seized by Dutch customs. Taking medicins with you

The best thing to do while in need of any medication while in the Netherlands is to see a GP (huisarts) with a letter from your own doctor stating your medical problems and prescribed medication and dose. Make sure not just the brand name is stated but also the active substance. While in the Netherlands it is possible you receive another brand with the same active substance. All GP's in the Netherlands speak English. The GP gives you a prescription with which you can then go to a pharmacy.
Expect to pay € 27,63 for their help. You don't state what type of medication you take but for example Oxycontin 30mg costs € 2,93 per tablet.

1. Your US doctor cannot write a prescription for use outside the US. It is only very recently that prescriptions could be transferred across state lines in the US.

2. Getting any prescription filled in Europe will require a doctor visit in Europe. While not expensive, it can take an entire day. Some (non narcotic) drugs can be filled directly by a pharmacist if they can determine what the drug is you take. An original label from your US prescription can help, but it is best to get a letter from your doctor describing what you take both in brand and generic terms.

3. You cannot mail narcotics by any means to Europe. The package will be confiscated and you might find yourself in deep trouble.

4. Best option is to get you doctor to prescribe a higher dose for your next refill but the same size pills. That way you have enough to make it through the extended trip. Insurance is usually based on doses per days of medicine, not number of pills making up the doses.

EDIT: Where I have lived, narcotic prescriptions are one time fill with zero automatic refills requiring a new prescription each time you want more. This is why I suggested the higher dose option. It would only be given out once. But of course I am not a doctor or a pharmacist so I don't know the laws or what restrictions there are on this. Just a suggestion.

Reviewing some of the responses, I guess a couple comments...

Since we are talking a schedule II narcotic, I seriously doubt a Doctor would take the risk to double a prescription just so a patient could "save" pills for a trip, especially in the current environment of Pharmaceutical Companies and Medical Providers being sued for over-prescribing. The Doctor would have to consider, what if you cancel your trip, then just keep getting medication, much more than intended? It is at least an Ethical Violation. But hey, who knows, Doctors seemed to have no problem handing prescriptions out like candy on Halloween.

As I mentioned, you can get up to 90 days in many cases, depending on many things, that at least prevents you from getting more medication than intended. The drawback is that the insurance company may not cover you, but then, if the trip is important, just pay the cost, it is a fraction of what you are spending on your trip, and probably less time and effort in figuring out how to get some there.

Everyone- the OP is talking about a schedule II narcotic.
Most states and insurance carriers limit them to a 30 day supply. Fed requirements ban any refills.
Any doctor increasing your prescription to save up some pills is facing the loss of his medical license.
Having them mailed to you may end up with your arrest for drug smuggling.
Each country has their own rules ( show up in Japan with those and your going from the airport to jail).
Best bet is a highly detailed report from your physician explaining need, dosage etc and seeing a local physician for an exam and maybe a prescription, if the medication is allowed in that country.

Never forget that just because you have a US prescription for X med doesn’t mean every country will allow you to enter with that medication and/or allow it to be refilled there.

As a prescriber, I can attest to the fact that:

1) Laws vary by state.

2) Some states will allow a 90 day supply of a schedule II opiate, if the prescription is written correctly. New York State does.

3) Even if your state will allow a 90 day supply, your insurance may or may not cover it. You then have the option to pay for it out of pocket; depending on the drug involved, it may be cheap or expensive. If you are not using insurance for a prescription, there are discount programs like GoodRx which can save money. The phrases to use when asking your insurance about coverage for the larger supply are "travel override" or "vacation override."

4) If you want to get a prescription filled abroad, you have to have it written by a doctor in that country. Particularly for an opiate, this isn't going to be so easy - which is not to say it can't be done, particularly if you are able to make arrangements beforehand (for instance, if your doctor can somehow coordinate with a doctor in that country). However, iIf you aren't able to confirm arrangements beforehand, you shouldn't count on being able to find a doctor willing to write an opiate prescription for someone they haven't previously treated.

5) Medications sent through international mail will definitely go through customs. Even if it's a non-controlled, non-controversial medication, it could be held up for any length of time. I wouldn't want to count on getting a necessary medication this way. That goes triple for an opiate - the likelihood of confiscation is high.

Definitely talk to your pain management doctor - it's likely you're not the first person they've dealt with who has this issue.

May I suggest that the OP should plan to be away for one month only. He or she says “I want to extend my trip to over a month, maybe two.” Well, it would appear that is not possible considering the need for the pain medication.

I don't need any meds. Whenever I'm in Europe, however, my first stop is always at the Pharmacy. Pharmacists in Europe have much more discretion than Pharmacists in the states.

According to what I've read, If you have your prescription and a letter from your doctor explaining the med, it's generic name, reason for use, etc, you can use that to refill your prescription. Make sure you have your Passport with you, they'll need it.

Pain meds are certainly under more scrutiny in the U.S. these days. I'm not sure about Europe?

From provider perspective this can be a challenging situation depending upon your insurance, your USA state, your condition. Push back for provider is the healthcare quality assessment or insurance company questioning providers regarding dosage quantity and duration versus indicating condition inflicting the pain.
Like other folks mentioned, providers are increasingly aware and face questions about prescribing habits. This scrutiny, as I discovered in my day job with overseas providers, is increasingly more comprehensive and stringent in EU than USA.
Definitely speak with your PCP and the prescribing pain management physician well in advanced of this trip.

You might also try doing some research to make sure you have what you need to even enter the countries with your meds.
From the French Embassy page for example.
https://franceintheus.org/spip.php?article792
Narcotics and dangerous drugs are prohibited entry into France. Are included in this prohibition:

• narcotics such as opium, morphine, codeine, thebaine, heroin, methadone and related drugs and substances;

ashlie.todd369, we haven't heard back from you. I know that this is your first post here, and it may seem like a lot oc contradictory help.

I'd take good cognizance of what Harold has said, he says he is in the field.

Is any of this helping you?