Need Taper Advice ... trying to stop for the third time

[VonB]

Hi All ... I am taking Oxycontin 40mg 3x a day and Percocet 10/325 3 x a day ... I want to taper down and jump off at the lowest dose possible ... can some of you give me advice on how you would taper .. how much to taper over a day week and over how long a period of time... This is my third attempt ... I am praying that the third time is the charm .. Thanks VonB

[VUcaliente]

Here's some advice. You should be taking the OxyContin for persistent pain and the Percocet for breakthrough pain. Since OxyContin is a 12 hour extended-release formulation of oxycodone it can probably be reduced to just twice daily initially since there's only 24 hours in one day. Of course Percocet is an immediate release formulation of oxycodone and thus has a shorter half-life than the OxyContin. Detoxification from oxycodone depends on your level of pain and your desire to stop taking it. This can take as little as seven days or possibly up to 3 months if you gradually change the regimen of your medication. To change the regimen of your medication you MUST talk to doctor first because he/she will probably need to write you multiple prescriptions depending on the course of action to be taken. For instance, you are currently taking a total of 150mg of oxycodone a day as directed by your doctor. Each week this can gradually be reduced in half or you can gradually take 10mg out of your regimen each week. Either way the reduction of  oxycodone in this manner is best IF YOUR DOCTOR IS WILLING TO WORK WITH YOU. If you are abusing you medication, you might even want to suggest the use of Suboxone/Subutex in your treatment to manage and control the "cravings" for opiates. The main suggestion though is that the decision needs to be between YOU and YOUR DOCTOR! I recommend a great website which has a tremendous amout of information about oxycodone and addiction treatment. www.drugs.com

[jobesy]

im the same as you buds.. its hard i tried to quit cold turkey got really siick i want off this dope asap and as safely as possible... if u get some good advice from your doc please holla back i will do the same... good luck i really mean that this is no way to live...

[Sjoggie]

I don't have a good plan on tapering but I do know that Oxycontin comes in 20 mg, 15 mg and 10 mg.  Personally, I would do the oxycontin first, but that is just me.

See if your doc can help you come up with a plan and help.   I know you need to stabilize from one taper before starting the next one or at least I should have.  I did do some tapering, but the length you have been on the pills and if it is for chronic pain all play into this.  

Your doc can also give you some meds to help with the final detox when you quit if needed.  

Someone here will be around with much better advice on how to do this.  

I wish you the best.