Controlled Medication Protocol

The Controlled Medication Protocol currently in place for patients of Dr. Meusburger and is for the protection and well-being of patients who have been prescribed medications that are classified by the Drug Enforcement Agency as high risk because of the potential for their misuse and abuse. Because of the rising rate of illegal drug use, overdoses, deaths, near deaths and the overall destruction of individuals and communities by the ravages of addiction caused by certain classes of drugs, physicians must be ever vigilant when prescribing controlled medications.

Most patients see Dr. Meusburger on a relatively consistent basis for medication management and talk therapy. However, this document is to reinforce the office policy that if you have been prescribed medications that are classified as Controlled Medications by the DEA, and your sessions with Dr. Meusburger are infrequent, then we remind you that the policy of this office requires you have follow-up visits on at least a quarterly basis for the purpose of medication monitoring.

Medication monitoring is described, although not exclusively, as insuring the medication is effective for the purpose it has been prescribed, including the type, dose, frequency, whether there are side effects, if the medication needs to be increased, reduced, and/or possibly discontinued altogether. In the event a particular medication is to be discontinued, it may require tapering, not sudden cessation/stopping; this may also apply to certain medications that are not considered controlled.

Finally, in an effort to insure you are informed and understand the risks of taking a Controlled Medication, Dr. Meusburger has now implemented a Controlled Substance Agreement. It will be sent out over time to be completed and returned to the office as a part of your record. We thank you for reading this protocol and staying informed.