Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

How to wean down

Hi everyone! I am currently taking or should I say prescribes to take 1 40mg oxy every 12 hours. I have 7 tabes to last me until this coming Tuesday when I can see my surgeon post op and get them corrected...Im pretty much screwd until Tuesday and I was wondering if you guys knew any tricks or something that will help me not run out of these 7 tabs until Tuesday?

Im needing to take almost 2 40mg tabs about every 8 to 12 hours hours or maybe 1 every 8 hours to even began to take the "edge" off the lower back pain. I had lower back surgery done "Fushion L5-S1" last month on October 6th. My post op appointment is this coming Tuesday on the 18th. I am extreme amounts of pain and dont wanna run out of oxy's before Tuesday Morning. I live on a island and have to travel on ferry then drive 2 hours to get to my surgeon...its is a very TAXING trip in it by itself......

God Bless and thank you!
6 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
547368 tn?1440541785
Hi Again Jimbob,

Every site I have searched and from my education and training you should never break a time released Oxycodone.

From one site: Do not crush, chew, or break controlled-release forms of oxycodone such as Oxycontin. Swallow them whole. They are specially formulated to release oxycodone slowly into your system. Breaking them would cause too much drug to be released into the blood at one time leading to a potentially fatal dose of oxycodone.

I would encourage you not to break them. It can also be viewed as abuse of the medication by your physician and you would not want that to happen.

Good luck. I hope you will soon be recovered from your surgery and not even need to take pain medications. Peace, Tuck
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
They are indeed time release 40mg oxy.

And Ive heard mixed stories on if you can break them up or not. Ive read and heard testimonials from long time users that say its perfectly fine and then even cut 60mg into 4 quarters is what this one guy has been doing for years and years now......

Now I also read what you guys are saying, that you should not do it and screws up the medication. I have even read that some manufacturers of the time realease oxy put something in there that if you break or crush or cut them, it releases another chemical that makes the entire pill null and void so you get nothing....

SO I dunno what to think about breaking a time release pill in half.......like I said, Ive hear and read both sides.....
Helpful - 0
356518 tn?1322263642
If you cut the oxycontin then your releasing all the medication at once and this is dangerous plus you will not be helping your situation because yoy will have lost the 12 hour relief.
Welcome to our community!
Helpful - 0
547368 tn?1440541785
Jimbo,

Now I understand your other post a bit better. I didn't not see this one. I apologize. Is this an extended release tablet?  In my opinion you cannot cut a long acting or slow release tablet. It should say that right on the bottle. You can disrupt the intended action of the medication.

You apparently are not on a PM contract. So in that case if you can tolerate the pain you can try to stretch them out. I am assuming these meds are ordered PRN, meaning on an as needed bases.  
Again, best of luck to you, Tuck
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thanks for the response. So you think i can cut one of these 40mg time release tabs in half?

Is it better to try and wait the longest you can wait before taking the next tab or should you just follow a strict timed plan?

It seems if I wait too long in between taking the oxy's, I have to take maybe 2 full 40mg tabs to even get it anywhere near back to tolerable pain level.

Any thoughts on pros and cons to waiting the longest amount time you can possible wait betwwen taking another tab...or following a strict 12 hour schedule or every 8 eight hours regardless if I feel like I need it or not?

Thanks!
Helpful - 0
680313 tn?1249312403
I always cut my night time pills in half,then take another otc pain pill or benadryl, muscal  relaxer ,any you have to help you stay asleep through the pain.This helps to make your pain pills work better,when you take a full strenth again.just my way ,hope it helps.I hope you get the help you need from doc. on tuesday.
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Pain Management Community

Top Pain Answerers
Avatar universal
st. louis, MO
317787 tn?1473358451
DC
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Find out how beta-blocker eye drops show promising results for acute migraine relief.
Could it be something you ate? Lack of sleep? Here are 11 migraine triggers to look out for.
Find out if PRP therapy right for you.
Tips for preventing one of the most common types of knee injury.
Here are 10 ways to stop headaches before they start.
Tips and moves to ease backaches