Question about extended release.

[stationexpress]

Hello, first time posting here, I am looking for a bit of information concerning a new drug I have come into possession of, Xartemis XR (7.5 mg Oxycodone). I am under the assumption that it is just OxyContin with APAP (325mg). However, I have no experience with extended release medication and am a bit confused as to the workings of this drug. Since they are 7.5 mg, I'm curious as to if swallowed whole, will the pills will give me the feeling of taking 7.5mg of Oxycodone for several hours, or will it give me the feeling of taking less than that for several hours? I have a tolerance of about 40mg of Hydrocodone, so usually taking around 25 of Oxycodone gets me where I need to be, and I have a bunch of these Xartemis, and I'm just wondering if I need to take the 25mg or go a little higher if the dose is indeed spread out into smaller releases.

 

[Kittycat5]

The dose of Xartemis is two of the tablets every 12 hours. Taking this dose should be roughly equivalent to taking a Percocet 7.5/325 every four hours as far as analgesia and time to steady state, just with less pill burden and less frequent dosing schedule, which is good for compliance to therapy (the more pills, the more often, the more likely one will forget to take a dose).

 

[NickyGirl]

I also have recently been switched to Xartemis from 20mg of Percocet every 4-6 hours. I didnt have a problem with the lower dosage and have tapered down with no symptoms. I also appreciate the lesser pill burden and worries about timing. However, i have a question I'm a bit ashamed to ask. Because of my extensive injury i am bed bound and on crutches-that being the case the little bit of high/relaxation I got from the individual Perc pills doesnt happen at all with the Xartemis. I am not constantly seeking the buzz but on the days I am struggling i would like to be able to get it from the Xartemis. Does anyone have any experience with this newer time release med? Please dont lecture or judge in response. I have had a tragic medical trauma and occasionally need the break the relaxation gives me. I am well aware of my possible tolerance and the flaws in my request for help. Please educate me on time release and what else i might do to adjustmy use on certain days.

 

[Trying2Iso]

if you crush it up to powder between two spoons, crush it really really fine.
then you can snort it that would be better, it'll hit you harder

 

[NickyGirl]

Thanks for the reply. Gave it a try and no dice. I suspect that because this is a newer drug they've done some perfecting on the time release mechanism. Plus these are huge horse sized pills. My remedy was to take a couple extra-that seemed to help. I just hate to waste my main long acting ones just for breakthrough pain and stress related reasons. Called my doc and he gave me some Valium for the restlessness. Appointment tomorrow to see about adding a short acting breakthrough pain med. no experience with breakthrough type meds. (At least on some of the posts I've checked out)Any advice on breakthrough meds that work best with Percocet/oxycodone w/apap?