How to Get a Cortisone Prescription

Most types of cortisone require a prescription to get them from a pharmacy because they are potentially dangerous if not used under supervision of a medical professional. Over-the-counter cortisone, such as the type sold in creams and ointments, is generally safe as long as you follow the recommended dosages and instructions for use listed on the packaging, but prescription cortisone may be more difficult to manage for home treatment.

Instructions

1. Make an appointment with your primary care physician. Only licensed health care professionals such as doctors, nurse practitioners, and physician's assistants can prescribe cortisone in the United States. If the condition you are suffering from is causing you extreme pain, tell the receptionist when calling that your need for an appointment is urgent.

2. Review your symptoms with your doctor or preferred medical professional to determine if you will need a prescription form of cortisone. It is possible that your will doctor will recommend an over-the-counter cortisone cream to treat your condition if she does not think your symptoms are severe enough to warrant a prescription. In many cases, the over-the-counter cortisone will be strong enough to completely alleviate your symptoms.

3. Visit your local pharmacy to get your prescription for cortisone filled. Remember that you may need to wait while the pharmacist prepares your prescription so allow yourself at least an hour of time and try to be patient. In some cases, the pharmacist may be able to provide the prescription immediately but it's important to remember that the pharmacy may be backed up with orders from several other patients to get medications.

4. Consider using an online pharmacy to fill your order. Online pharmacies have grown in popularity due to the low prices they tend to offer as well as the option to have your prescription delivered directly to your home, especially for people with disabilities or difficulty with transportation. You still must have a prescription from a medical professional to purchase cortisone from an online pharmacy, so avoid using websites that do not require one as they are likely to be less reputable and in may be in violation of the law.

5. Check with your health insurance benefits administrator to see if your insurance plan covers cortisone prescriptions. It's always best to find out directly from your health insurance provider how much you will be required to pay for a prescription before bringing it to a pharmacy to have it filled.

Tips & Warnings

• Side effects of different forms of prescription cortisone may vary greatly depending on the strength of the steroids and the recommended dosage.