i have 30 mg morph e.r. and 3 is too many, need to take 75 as total but cannot physically get to dr. office for diff. rx till next month
Can morphine e.r. be crushed and made into smaller doses without harming potency?
Question posted by sb53 on 27 May 2011
Last updated on 16 September 2016
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4 Answers
BRRMARS
28 May 2011
don't crush it get a pill spliter.
BFR
DzooBaby
31 May 2011
BRRMARS, this is truly bad advice in this case. You never want to alter time release pills in any way, shape or form. They are meant to be swallowed whole. Crushing or splitting them destroys the time release component and could allow a fatal dose of medicine to be released. If it were a regular pill, without time release, a pill splitter would be a more accurate way to split meds but NOT in the case of a time release formulation!!!
Tonka8561
27 May 2011
All I do is call my doctor's office for changes. Actually, what I do is call my pharmacy and have them call in my request to my doctor. I live in CA, and it is in-line with the law here.
Do not crush up your pills.
DzooBaby
27 May 2011
Wow! CA will let you call in Schedule II drugs? I didnt know you could do that in any state!
Tonka8561
27 May 2011
I am not sure what you mean, Drooz. What is so astonishing? Like today, I have had a frikken case of pleurisy for two weeks and I am almost out of codeine. I just called my pharmacy, and they call my Dr. with the request.
DzooBaby
31 May 2011
Codeine is a schedule 3. Yes, they can be called in. Schedule 2's like morphine and Oxycodone are generally not allowed to be called in to the pharmacy. You must take a hard copy written Rx to the pharmacy. Perhaps if your Dr e-prescribes, you might be able to get them but usually morphine Rx's cannot be phoned in.
Drewz10
18 June 2013
I just accidently crushed my 45 morphine and I took an ambien now what? Do I die?
mctuffy44
16 Sep 2016
Just FYI for those who may be reading this article now, the above was posted in 2011 and everything from Vicodin on up requires an actual doctor visit and handwritten prescription now in California. I believe Vicodin was added just last year, but a few others did the same in couple years prior. For chronic pain use, be certain to get your monthly appointment about 2-3 days before your 30-day visit would otherwise come up, if your office allows it --If your pharmacy has to order the meds, you're either stuck or could be calling around franticaly trying to find someone who has it in stock. I additionally call my pharmacy the week before to let them know when my appointment is so they can be certain to order my meds in time. As much of a pain it is to have to make an appointment and by doing so, pay extra for your prescription, that little system has worked okay for me and I haven't been stuck yet.
The regs are also much stronger on the doctors' end as well, so if you hve an appointment set for meds, it's in their system as such... If you hve to miss it for some reason BE SURE to call to reschedule. Otherwise it can create a whole other mess, because all appointment info is sent to the government and your doctor can get red flagged if it looks like you were there on Tuesday for meds and back on Thursday --so just be sure to keep up your end of it all, too. Definitely a team effort now. I've been on/off the stuff since the late 90s for various surgeries nd other chronic issues... I sure do miss the days I could call my doctor and jjust have a refill called in! Then I was still able to do so but had to pick up the script nd sign for it in person. Then the next year it changed (2013 or 14). Oy. I personally feel the whole system is waste of government and everyone's money... If you have someone who isn't using the meds as intended, they're going to find a way to get them regardless. Same with the gun issue.
DzooBaby
27 May 2011
No!!! Never crush Morphine ER. It is a time release, long acting product and crushing it destroys the time release component and you could take too much medicine at once and poison yourself. Taking broken, crushed, split or chewed Morphine ER tabs can be fatal! Do NOT do this. If I understand right you have 30 mg tabs and you want a dose of 75mg? You would do best by taking two 30mg tabs for a total of 60mg. It is better to take slightly less than to take too much. You dont want to alter ER or long acting tablets.
LaurieShay
27 May 2011
Hey sb,
It is not recommended that you crush or chew an extended release medicine as it will not be absorbed consistently. You'll need to wait until you get a lesser mg prescription. If you have been on the medication for sometime dropping to 60 mgs may cause you some withdrawal symptoms so again I would wait until you can get a lower dose pill.
Laurie
DzooBaby
27 May 2011
Taking 60 mg would be better than crushing or splitting a long acting drug. It is better to take slightly less than too much. Yes he might get some mild withdrawal symptoms but that is better than overdosing!
LaurieShay
27 May 2011
Sorry, I never meant to suggest anyone overdose. I thought he was prescribed 90mgs based on what he said.
DzooBaby
27 May 2011
No, I'm sorry Laurie! I dint mean to sound like I was jumping on your behind! It is kind of unclear but from what I read he takes 75mg but only has 30's so 2 30's (60mg) is not enough and 3 30's (90mg) is too much. Crushing or splitting them is out of the question because it can release too much at once and 90mg is too much and we dont want an overdose so it would be better to take 60mg and have some slight withdrawals than to take too much medicine. He says he cant get into the Dr until next month so he needs an option until then. I know you would never tell someone to overdose. You give great advice. I was just pointing out that too little is better than too much. I'm really sorry that it came across harsh!
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Further information
- Morphine uses and safety info
- Morphine prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Morphine (detailed)
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