Don't Move To TN If You Require a Nasal Decongestant (sales, insurance)

[LauraC]

I just want to warn people not to move here if you take a nasal decongestant that contains pseudoephedrine, ephedrine or phenylpropanolamine daily so you can breathe through your nose. In addition to the federal law that states:

Federal Purchase Limits
You may purchase no more than 3.6 grams in a single day.
You may purchase no more than 9.0 grams within 30 days.

Tennessee purchase limits makes it even harder to buy these supposedly over-the-counter medicines. One box of Claritin D, 12 hour, 30 count has 3.6 grams. So if you take 1 pill per day, you would have to purchase it once per month to breathe through your nose for 12 hours per day and since it's non-drowsy, I assume most people would use something else to be able to sleep through the night. For a 365 day period you would need 12 boxes x 3.6 grams or 43.2 total grams over a period of a year.

Now look at what Tennessee has done to the Federal Law:

Tennessee Purchase Limits
You may not purchase more than 28.8 grams within a 365 day period.
You must be at least 18 years old to purchase.
You may not purchase more than 5.76 grams within a 30 day period.

"To comply with the Combat Meth Epidemic Act of 2005, we electronically monitor sales of products containing ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, and phenylpropanolamine."

So, you could do the 1 box per month purchase thing with Claritin D (12 hr, 30 count) and meet federal guidelines but you will hit a wall on the Tennessee annual part of the law and your local pharmacy will prevent you from purchasing it. Plus, they generate a receipt of non-purchase (at least they do in Walgreens) when you are denied purchase that sends you to a website so you can figure out why you personally were denied. The store says they don't know.

In other words, Tennessee treats everybody like a meth head. I have inquired if a prescription overrides the Tennessee law. Will post again if and when I get an answer.

[suzytx]

My husband has a prescription from his doctor. Our insurance won't cover it but he gets enough to carry him through the day.

[jchometeam]

I just wanted to point out that Tennessee law has been extraordinarily effective at cutting down on domestic meth lab production in the state. To put this into some perspective, at it's peak Tennessee and Missouri were the top states for meth lab seizures, at over 2,000 seizures per year. This number has consistently declined since the passage of the law, to less than 50/year now statewide.

As you say, there are downsides mainly having to do with the inconvenience to those who need these medications for legitimate purposes. It is also misleading for me to suggest that meth usage has gone down that much in TN, as increases in the drug being smuggled across the southern border has largely offset the decline in domestic production.

[DubbleT]

Originally Posted by jchometeam

As you say, there are downsides mainly having to do with the inconvenience to those who need these medications for legitimate purposes. It is also misleading for me to suggest that meth usage has gone down that much in TN, as increases in the drug being smuggled across the southern border has largely offset the decline in domestic production.

Not having as many meth labs means fewer neighborhoods, families and children are exposed to the problems associated with the cooking of meth. A win IMO. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6926576/

[danielj72]

I agree with the OP. Those drugs restricted were sold for years and they are much more effective. The fact that criminals use those drugs to cook meth is irrelevant to those who need access to those drugs in order to not be miserable.

Maybe we should stop letting druggies and meth makers out of jail and really crack down on them instead of punishing the law abiding population. It’s a lot like being in kindergarten when everyone puts their head down because little Jonny is talking in class.

[An Einnseanair]

It doesn't change the fact of the ridiculous laws, but if you're taking medication 365 days a year to breathe I *highly* suggest looking into allergy shots. They've changed my life.

If you don't live near an allergy doctor, after you get tested most will allow you to take the allergen vials with you to be administered by anyone with medical training. It varies, though... during the build-up phase they may require you to get the shots at the allergy clinic because of the possibility of a full-system allergic reaction.

[Toyman at Jewel Lake]

Originally Posted by danielj72

I agree with the OP. Those drugs restricted were sold for years and they are much more effective. The fact that criminals use those drugs to cook meth is irrelevant to those who need access to those drugs in order to not be miserable.

Maybe we should stop letting druggies and meth makers out of jail and really crack down on them instead of punishing the law abiding population. It’s a lot like being in kindergarten when everyone puts their head down because little Jonny is talking in class.

Agreed. Banning or restricting people from buying these medications because some criminals might also buy them for illegal purposes is wrong and foolish. Why punish innocent people for the actions of criminals? It's like gun laws that are used to punish and restrict the rights of innocent, law abiding people based on what criminals might do.

[2mares]

I worked with two women who had to take prescription Claritin and other decongestants year round. My doctor has prescribed Claritin to me also. Never known anyone to have difficulty getting their scripts.

[Serious Conversation]

The whole Sudafed thing got ginned up years ago during the height of the meth crisis. That seems to have passed and it's time to reevaluate that position.

[GWoodle]

Originally Posted by 2mares

I worked with two women who had to take prescription Claritin and other decongestants year round. My doctor has prescribed Claritin to me also. Never known anyone to have difficulty getting their scripts.

Common versions of Claritin, Zantac, Tussin, other meds now generic can be readily available. D versions may be behind the counter.