[MS Momma]

I have MS, and I have problems swallowing pills, any pills, have always been this way. So I have been told to crush my tablets, recently I have been "upgraded" to oxycontin, 40mg, but I only take half of it morning and night. Less than prescribed. My problem is that the research I've done says NOT to crush oxycontin? I mix it in applesauce and eat it, or mix it with chocolate milk. Should I stop doing this and ask for something safer to crush?

[Cats Meow]

I'm sure no doctor or pharmacist told you to crush Oxycontin or even half it, doing so will compromise its time release and turn it into immediate release (IR). They make Oxycodone IR, but only up to a 30mg pill, it's also available in a liquid form known as Oxyfast.
I'm betting if you tell your doctor what you're doing you're going to get the evil eye, so watch out, you don't want flagged.

Why not chew up some food then pop it in your mouth and swallow whole?

[mpvt]

If you are only taking 20mgs a day then ask the doctor to order you oxycontin 10mgs.That way you can take 10mgs rwice a day.Don't ever crush or cut these pills as you can suddenly od on them.Good luck........Dave

P.S. There is also liquid opiates and\or suppositories the doctor can order you......Dave

[MS Momma]

No, the DR did not tell me to crush the oxycontin, I started the crushing when I was taking the lortab, for the oxycontin I just break in half and try to swallow with food, my problem is the spasms I have in my throat, I have them all over as well, and it is so hard to take pills. I have severe MS so it is not like I am an addict, most of the time I fight to not take my pain meds. Best to probably ask for lower dose that is not ER. I have only been taking the oxycontin for 3 days, and I think that my dose is too much, so I break it in half. Thanks for the help.

[MS Momma]

What is flagged? My DR knows that I half the oxycontin, she is a pain specialist, my neurologist knows as well, they both warned against it because of it entering my bloodstream too fast, so next appointment I should have the dose lowered or changed to something less dangerous at least!

[Cats Meow]

Being "flagged" means an alert put in your records for potential drug abuse, but in your case, and I know it was an honest mistake or ignorance on how controlled release medication works, doctors will still sometime be suspicious, I don't think you need to worry about that though.

For someone who has difficulty swallowing pills like you this is why they make liquid oxycodone (Oxyfast). In the future, say if you should go back to hydrocodone, you should ask if the drug is available in capsule form, that will save you from having to crush your medicine. Hydro/apap is avail in 5/500mg caps by the brand names of Stagesic and Hydrocet. It's also available in Oxycodone IR but only in 5mg caps.

You may even want to consider taking Morphine CR such as Avinza or Kadian since they come in capsules.

Dave (mpvt) also had a good idea re the suppositories, actually almost any pill can be inserted rectally, and you actually get more pain relief, administered via rectum delivery (for real)!

[mpvt]

Also the bioavailability is higher for suppositories then taking opiates orally except for methadone as it is about 90% oral compared to I.V. methadone which is one reason it is so successful in opiate addiction recovery.....Good luck....Dave

Remember to ask your doctor for 10mg oxycontin instead of the 20mg.That way you won't have to cut them in half.Good luck and be careful.....Dave

[sack]

Originally Posted by MS Momma

I have MS, and I have problems swallowing pills, any pills, have always been this way. So I have been told to crush my tablets, recently I have been "upgraded" to oxycontin, 40mg, but I only take half of it morning and night. Less than prescribed. My problem is that the research I've done says NOT to crush oxycontin? I mix it in applesauce and eat it, or mix it with chocolate milk. Should I stop doing this and ask for something safer to crush?

I would not crush or chew oxy when u do u release all the medicine at one time and u r setting yourself up for a big sickness to much to soon it will catch up to u get some thing different please Sack

[MS Momma]

Thank you all so much. I had a visit with my DR today, and she has changed my medication to liquid oxycodone, I am no longer taking the oxycontin at all. They were rather suprised that I asked to be taken off of it. The suppository idea was good too, but I think this way is better. LOL! Thanks again everyone!