Oxycontin ?!
Question: My Doc gave me Oxycontin for some nasty pain I have been having , My question .. is it ok to Cut the Pill in half ? The Full pill knocks me on my butt , an I still have to work full time. My Doc said no matter what do not crush it an snort it , due to it's time release but he didnt say anything about cutting it in half , I even tried to speak to the Pharmacist at CVS but they were not in . Help !!!
Answers: My Doc gave me Oxycontin for some nasty pain I have been having , My question .. is it ok to Cut the Pill in half ? The Full pill knocks me on my butt , an I still have to work full time. My Doc said no matter what do not crush it an snort it , due to it's time release but he didnt say anything about cutting it in half , I even tried to speak to the Pharmacist at CVS but they were not in . Help !!!
If it is regular oxycontin, than you can cut it in half. If it is Oxycontin XR, than no, you can't cut it in half.
cutting it in half disrupts the time release function, and could cause the pill to make you even more loopy.
request a script for a lower dosage, perhaps for half of what you currently take. that way during work you can take one and you can double up on the pills when you are experiencing pain at home.
eventually though, you will build up a small tolerance to the pill and you will be able to take it without the side effects, e.g. drowsiness, etc.
Time released meds should not be cut in half because then they are not as effective.
I would call your doctor and let them know that one whole tablet is to strong and see what they suggest
When you cut the pill in half, you will lose the benefits of the time release mechanism as suggested by the first person. Instead of getting a steady release of the medication over a long period of time (usually 8 hours), you will get it all at once which could be a potential issue. I would like to point out when you have taken this medication for a little while, it will no longer knock you on your butt. I would wait about a week before making any changes.
I would stay away from it all together
If they are too powerful get Percocet 10's or Roxi 15's or something. Oxycontin is Oxy-continuous and is intended to be swallowed whole for a 12 hour even distribution of the narcotic. If they knock you on your butt they are too damn strong to begin with, thus your gonna develop a tolerance and you don't need to go there! Opiates are effective best in the smallest effective doses. Increasing when there is no need or giving a pill that is gonna put you in a coma is pointless.
I cannot locate the direct quote from a medical journal but here it is roughly. Opiates unlike alcohol, marijuana, cocaine have no effect what so ever on motor skills or coordination and concentration. It is only when given in high doses to a individual does this happen. So if there putting you down, it is to much, plus cutting it in half is gonna defeat the time release and your gonna get hit faster.