Common issues
Prescription renewal
Medically reviewed byGuðbjartur Ólafsson, family physician and chief medical officer at Fjarlækningar
This service is for renewing medicines that you have used before and cannot wait for a standard prescription renewal. Please note that not all medicines can be renewed through this service.
Some medicines require regular follow-up or a discussion with the doctor who originally prescribed them.
When is the service not suitable?
- Some medicines require regular follow-up with your GP, and this service does not replace this.
- Repeat prescriptions — only a single prescription can be issued.
- Medicines classified as addictive, stimulant, or psychiatric drugs — renewal requires speaking with the doctor who has previously prescribed them for you.
- More than 3 medicines in one case.
Here is a list of the main medications Fjarlækningar cannot renew:
A. Copy prescription medicines
- Morphine: Contalgin, Morfin
- Oxycodone: OxyContin, OxyNorm, Targin (oxycodone + naloxone)
- Ketobemidone: Ketogan
- Fentanyl patches: Durogesic, Matrifen, Fentanyl
- Tapentadol: Palexia
- Pethidine and methadone (see also category D)
- Tramadol: Tradolan, Nobligan, Tramadol
- Parkódín / Parkódín forte (paracetamol + codeine)
- Kódímagnýl (acetylsalicylic acid + codeine)
- Diazepam: Stesolid, Diazepam
- Oxazepam: Sobril
- Clonazepam: Rivotril
- Alprazolam: Xanax, Tafil, Alprazolam
- Lorazepam: Lorazepam, Temesta
- Midazolam: Dormicum, Midazolam
- Zopiclone: Imovane, Zopiclone, Imozop
- Zolpidem: Stilnoct, Zolpidem
- Methylphenidate: Ritalin, Concerta, Medikinet, Equasym
- Lisdexamfetamine: Elvanse
- Dexamphetamine: Attentin
- Pregabalin: Lyrica, Pregabalin
- Gabapentin: Neurontin, Gabapentin
- Phenobarbital: Fenemal
B. Addiction treatment / maintenance therapy medicines
- Buprenorphine: Norspan (patch), Subutex
- Buprenorphine + naloxone: Suboxone
- Methadone
- Naltrexone / disulfiram: Antabus
C. Medicines that require blood test monitoring
- Warfarin: Kóvar, Marevan
- Lithium
- Clozapine: Leponex
- Methotrexate
- Isotretinoin: Roaccutan
- DOAC blood thinners: Xarelto, Eliquis, Pradaxa
D. Medicines prescribed only by specialists
- Antipsychotics
- Testosterone
- Cancer medicines, immunosuppressants and biologic medicines
Please note that this list is not exhaustive.
Frequently asked questions
Which medicines can be renewed?
Medicines you take regularly and have been prescribed before. Controlled drugs, medicines that need regular blood-test monitoring and medicines only specialists prescribe are not renewed here.
Can I get a repeat (multi-use) prescription?
No, only a single prescription. Your health centre can issue repeat prescriptions.
How long does a renewal take?
A doctor answers within two hours during opening hours, daily 10–22, and the prescription goes electronically to the pharmacy portal.
Which pharmacy do I collect it from?
Any pharmacy. The prescription is in the pharmacy portal and the pharmacy finds it there.
Can I renew medicines that come in a dispensing roll?
No. Dose-dispensed medicines follow a dispensing card kept by your own doctor, and changes go through that doctor.
Please note
Fjarlækningar handles simple, clearly defined issues. Some cases require an examination, testing, or emergency care - and are directed to another care pathway. In emergencies, call 112.
Submit a case
You sign in with electronic ID and answer a short questionnaire. A doctor reviews the case and recommends treatment.
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