Oramorph vrs. Vicadin

[Deb888]

Hi All,

Finally got the prescription for Oramorph filled and started it yesterday. 1 pill a day...makes me a little out of it but I haven't had to supplement either. I have 6 slipped discs in my back and I was on another time released thing with Soma and Vicadin for breakthrough pain. I ran out of the time released stuff, which the Oramorph replaced, and while waiting to get back on that I've been taking 4-5 sets of Soma and Vicadin a day. Neither of those really did much for the pain.

Today I'm still on the one oramorph from this morning coupled with gabbapentin which is a time released muscle relaxer. Feeling a little tired but no pain. Think I may try cutting the oramorph in half and seeing if I can get through the day on just half.

Now, is the oramorph a stronger drug than vicadin? Is is more addictive? Yeah, I know they are both opiates...just wondering if the oramorph is asking for more trouble.

On the plus side, I'm trying to find the silver lining as I itch away, I'm allergic to morphine and these pills are making me itch like crazy. Good deterant to upping my dose. If the pain is REALLY bad I won't care about itching but this itch is a real buzz kill. Yeah, do I sound like Pollyanna or what....geez.

Deb

[BGBG5]

ORAMORPH is a liquid preparation not a pill.

[Bob1958]

I have a prescription for Oramorph 30 mg. I had them for a compressed disk in my back.

Not to be off topic here, but my pain is back and the prescription expired in Jan 04. I realize the potency will be decreased, but is it safe to take? I have asked pharmacists, and they won't tell me.

I'm just concerned that they may have become toxic.

Should I worry or just take one and find out?

[troubleinohio]

PLEASE do NOT cut your oramorph in half! you cant break, chew or crush any time release narcotic, it can be extremely dangerous! I take MS Contin which is time realease morphine and Im well aweare of the risks involved. People have died from crushing/breaking these types of medicine. It ruins the time release ability and causes the entire dosage to release all at once which causes massive respiratory depression amongst many other bad problems and can be fatal. Also  you say you are allergic to this mediince yet are taking it? Why? You definitely need to go back to your doctor and see what can be done to change your regimen. Are you sure you are allergic or just suffer itching side effect? morphine does have a high rate of causing itching in many patients who use it. btw I too have many disc and back problems and am having issues currently with RXs and insurance.
I just wanted to jump in though when i saw your post. Call your doctor please!

[GA Guy]

I have to question why a doctor is insisting you take a drug you say your allergic to. Oramorph is sustained release morphine. Do not cut it in half. If you do, you risk getting the whole dosage at once. That can be dangerous. There's other sustained release opiates you could be taking for pain that don't contain morphine. If you're allergic to morphine, the ask that your meds be changed. Start low on this stuff, and take only as directed. the itching could also be an indication of too high a dosage. I'd also start planning on a course of action for stopping this when the pain is manageable. Nothing wrong with taking pain meds for legit chronic pain, but get off it when the pain becomes manageable.