Among the many conveniences offered by urgent care centers, most have their own pharmacies, meaning patients don’t have to go elsewhere to get their prescriptions after their visit. 

Doctors at urgent care clinics can prescribe prescriptions, too. Certain medications, however, need monitoring, so follow-up appointments are necessary. The patient could be referred to a primary care doctor in such cases. That said, patients can have peace of mind knowing that should they need medication immediately, an urgent care doctor can prescribe what they need. 

Here are some types of medication an urgent care doctor can prescribe:

Antibiotics

Urgent care doctors can prescribe antibiotics for bacterial infections. There are different types of bacterial infections, and when this happens, doctors will prescribe the right antibiotic to treat the infection. In the case of ear infections, doctors can also prescribe ear drops if needed. 

Short-Term Pain Medications

Urgent care clinics can prescribe short-term pain medications. This includes prescriptions for headaches, back, neck, and shoulder pains, sprains, and strains. 

Diabetes Medications

People with diabetes can visit urgent care clinics to check their blood sugar levels and get the medications they need to control their glucose levels. One of the most common prescriptions prescribed is insulin.

Allergy and Asthma Medication

Urgent care clinics can prescribe allergy and asthma prescriptions. These medications have long-lasting effects, and patients will find them very convenient.

Medication for Stomach Conditions

If you have a stomach condition, you can go to an urgent care clinic and ask the doctor to prescribe you prescription for gastritis, ulcers, or gastroenteritis.

Medication for Colds, Flus, and Other Respiratory Conditions

You can visit an urgent care clinic and get your prescription if you’ve got a cold or the flu. You may also require a follow-up visit to monitor your condition.

Medication for Non-Life-Threatening Conditions

There are times when you don’t need to go to a hospital or an emergency room for your illness—this is when you can go to an urgent care clinic. For example, if you have a sprained ankle, you can visit the clinic to get your ankle wrapped as a temporary measure. Doctors will also give you crutches to help you get around.

When Shouldn’t Patients Go to an Urgent Care Clinic for Prescriptions?

Patients should know that not all medications can be prescribed by urgent care clinics. This is true for prescription, such as anti-seizure prescriptions, that require careful monitoring to ensure they’re doing their job properly. It is also true for complicated medicines such as chemotherapy drugs and prescriptions covering a range of possible illnesses.

Conclusion

If you think you need urgent care, you should consider visiting an urgent care clinic. However, it is vital to have a basic understanding of the care provided by these centers, which is why we have provided in-depth explorations of the types of services provided by urgent care clinics. By arming yourself with an understanding of what you can expect, you can be assured that you’ll get what you need at an urgent care clinic.

Aspen Medical Center is an urgent care center in Santa Fe, NM that can provide you with the prescription mentioned above and both urgent and primary care services. Contact us today to know more about the services we offer!