Question

a pharmacy technician is assisting a patient who has a prescription for alprazolam (xanax). the technician should recognize that prescriptions for alprazolam have which of the following refill guidelines?

a prescription can be refilled 12 times within 1 year of the date it was written.

a prescription can be refilled up to five times within 6 months of the date it was written.

a prescription can be refilled as many times as needed within 1 year of the date it was written.

a new handwritten prescription is required for each refill.

Explanation:

Alprazolam (Xanax) is a Schedule IV controlled substance. For Schedule IV medications, the refill guideline is that a prescription can be refilled up to five times within 6 months of the date it was written. Option A is incorrect as 12 times in a year is not the rule for Schedule IV. Option C is wrong because there are limits on refills for controlled substances. Option D is incorrect as new handwritten prescriptions aren't needed for each refill for Schedule IV; they can be refilled up to the allowed number within the time frame.

Answer:

B. A prescription can be refilled up to five times within 6 months of the date it was written.