Can you build up a tolerance to Avinza

[Pam7500]

Can you build up a tolerance to avinza? After taking avinza for several months, my daughter just didn't get any relief from it anymore. She quit taking it for a while and then started using it again and it's working. The pain clinic nurse practioner say's that you cannot build up a tolerance to it.

[BOK2Bjan]

Hi - Because I've been on Avinza for years, I thought I'd add my 2 cents.  It is a slow release, long acting Morphine Sulfate.  So - like all opioids - tolerance is built.  It is always true that with the longer acting meds, when they are taken correctly, tolerance builds a bit slower.  It's very important to take the dose just as prescribed - no more and no more often than is necessary.  The bad thing about these meds is that to obtain the same relief, more of the drug is required over time.  BUT - you can help her help herself, by using other methods of pain control along with the drugs.  

Massage, meditation, exercise (as tolerated of course) etc.  There is always a time when you just can't take a higher dose without danger, so want to safe guard these powerful and necessary drugs.  Those of us who take them on a constant basis do everything in our power to keep doses as low as possible so they keep working.  PLEASE don't fear the word addiction though.  When they're needed, they can be taken safely and if a physical addiction occurs over time - that's just a normal process - an unfortunate one, but normal.  Assure your daughter that if she can take the least possible, that her goal would be to be able to come off them in the future, but if that's not possible - that's not the issue - living her life to its fullest with the least debilitating pain as possible - that's the goal.

Sorry for the long answer to a question that was simple and short and to which many others had already given adequate answers.  I guess I have my "helpful" fingers on - and think I'd do well to get on with my day.  I wish you and your daughter well, however, and God Bless.  Jan

[mush33]

I am on avinza 60mgx1 daily and it does dull my pain.  I take it in the AM.  My pain doc is strict and it is a fight with him he will not give me breakthrough.  also gampahamentin 600x3 helps with celabrix.  I am miserable most of the time.  People hate me.  I hate my PM doctor..  

[Tuckamore]

Hi Pam,

Welcome to the Pain Management Forum at MedHelp. I agree with Mollyrae and so does the drug literature.

This cam from a trusted Medication website regarding avinza: "When used for an extended period this medication may not work as well and may require different dosing."

Obviously the NP (Nurse Practitioner) is not as educated as one might hope after six years of school. I would copy the information from the website regarding the tolerance and take it to her. She needs to be aware of this fact so she may treat patients and provide them with correct knowledge.

I am sorry this happened to your daughter and even sorry that a medical professional provided her with incorrect information. Good luck to you and your daughter.
Peace, Tuck

[Mollyrae]

Hello Pam and welcome to the Pain Forum:

It is not uncommon to build a tolorance to any medication. The Nurse that told you that did not know her business. I have found a segment on tolorance with Avinza. You Daughter's tolorance can definitly build up over time and therefor make the drug less effective. Here is the article I found in the Avinza site. I also want to tell you that I have been on opiates for many years and I have built up a tolorance to all of them. It is just something that is going to happen when a person has long use of the opiate family of drugs.

Tolerance is the need for increasing doses of opioids to maintain a defined effect such as analgesia (in the absence of disease progression or other external factors). Physical dependence is manifested by withdrawal symptoms after abrupt discontinuation of a drug or upon administration of an antagonist. Physical dependence and tolerance are not unusual during chronic opioid therapy.

Also, here is signs of withdrawl that you Daughter could face. I thought it would be helpful if she ever displayed any of these symptoms.

The opioid abstinence or withdrawal syndrome is characterized by some or all of the following: restlessness, lacrimation, rhinorrhea, yawning, perspiration, chills, myalgia, and mydriasis. Other symptoms also may develop, including irritability, anxiety, backache, joint pain, weakness, abdominal cramps, insomnia, nausea, anorexia, vomiting, diarrhea, or increased blood pressure, respiratory rate, or heart rate.

I hope this was helpful and please take care this Holiday Season......
Mollyrae

[jollyman069]

there is a section where you can ask a pharmisict these type questions.. i have been on avinza for deveral months.. my dr says its like any ohter pain med that you will build a tolerence to it.. but i would ask the pharmiasict and see what they say