Pain medication HELP

[callmetommy1288]

I was given percocet 10/325 for pain for surgery and was told to take 1 - 1 1/2 pills every 4-5 hours. I'm opiate tolerant but 15mg every 4-5 hours seems like a lot. Also I have percocet 7.5/325 that says I can take 2 every 3-4 hours. Is this posing any possible over dose problems or health problem? This will only be taken for a short amount of time.No more than 2 weeks. Any advise on the saftey of this would be appreciated.Also I was told since I am not a good pill swallower to crush them if needed. Is that okay as well?

[callmetommy1288]

Be careful with dosages.I believe you mean 550mg tylenol. In that case your fine. Hydrocodone (AKA.Lortab,Vicodin,Zydone ,Vicoprofen,Ect.). All are a preperation with tylenol/asprin and hydrocodone. Varies in hydrocodone dose from 2.5 (Pediatric dosage) to 15mg (15 mg made by special compound pharmacies. Make sure you read your bottle well. Please follow your doctors instructions! Its important for a few reasons. You won't gain a tolerance as quickly if you take it as prescribed, you don't risk getting droped as a pain patient for lieing, and most doctors will adjust your dose if need to be but its not a safe move to increase it on your own. Remember doctors go to school for 13 years for that reason.If its hydrocodone it will be stated as a xx(hydrocodone) - xx (apap/asprin). Doses of tylenol ranged from 325/500/750 and asprin i'm not sure (Assume only 200mg but I have no clue.They come in liquid suspension and tablet form and rarley without a tylenol/asprin additive. I'm taking percocet which is a whole different Active ingrediant. From my experience a lot more dangerous than hydrocodone. Its approx. 1.5x stronger than lortab in analgesia terms. I think to me I get more worried about the oxycodone because you hear of all these kids abusing the drug in large amounts and doing somthing called polydrug or either being opiate niave (meaning they are not tolerant or been on the medication for a long amount of time). For instance someone getting ahold of an 80mg oxycontin which is intended for extended release and never have tried opiates and crushing it exposing them to a rabid and full intake of the 80mg which was intended for 12 hour dose and they get a lethal dose. Also there are people who melt it down and shoot it and people who crush and snort it. Most are taking it on top of alcohol and other sedatives. But being pre med and hearing about all the trouble there is with the drug and abuse/diversion it makes me warey about being on the drug and taking it at doses 15mg. This drug comes in liquid and tablet suspension. Doses range from 2.5,5,10 which are known as percocet, 15,30 immediate release without tylenol called roxicodone, and the extended release form Oxyxcontin in 10,15,20,30,40,60,80 and once a 160mg tablet called  which was removed due to the overdose possibility. Doses above 10mg should NOT be taken by an opiate niave person. I am probably more than safe but just somthing I constantly worry about. I know its one drug I will only prescribe in minor doses for short term. Maybe a script for 14-21 would be all. Hydrocodone is much more safe in terms of resperatory depression. What you need to watch out is for the tylenol intake. Make sure you are not taking over 4 grams of acetamonphin(apap) that would be 1,000 mg. Any more than that is toxic and personally I would try to stop at 2,000-2,750 to be safer on your liver. Make sure if your taking it long term to get a liver enzyme test to make sure your liver is functioning right. With constant consumption of the drug your liver is working hard to rid those toxins. Any imput on my knowledge of the information would be greatly appreciated. I need to sound professional for my med school interview! Remember all of this information is just knowledge and should not be taken as medical advise. Taking it as recreational is not supported and should never be done. Always talk to your doctor if you need to change to dosage or need a different medication. Always report to the ER if you experience any major side effects such as shallow breathing or resperatory depression. AGAIN THIS IS NOT TO BE USED AS MEDICAL ADVISE JUST MY OWN 2 CENTS!!!!!!!

[Mikereed]

hey i started on the hydrocodone about 2 months ago im bigger than you are im sure it makes a diffrence but im to take 550mg every 5 hours and even taking more than that its like drinking water im afraid if i talk to my docter hes gonna think im just tryin to get somthing stronger and may not continue treatment im not sure how that works but u mention opiate tolerent and i looked into it i was wondering how u found that out or if u just find it out by being on the drug.

[callmetommy1288]

I forgot to add. I am 20 years old and have been taking 15mg of hydrocodone every 4 hours for 1 1/2 years. I am only 115 pounds. Might help out the answer a little more.