Can I Cut An Oxycontin Op?

Can anyone help me understand these OPs? The whole pill is plastic, right? I mean, unlike MS Contins where the coating is time released. So my question is-If the whole thing is a solid time release pill, why can’t I cut it in half? I am not trying to abuse it. My doctor made me switch from 5mg instant relase oxycodone to 10 mg oxycontin and it’s way too strong. It makes me feel sick and way too medicated to drive. I am taking these so I can have a life, not another car accident. So I would like to reduce the dose but it says not to cut them & I am not sure that is applicable to the plastic pills.

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According to medical literature, "extended/time-release" pills are not intended to be cut in half because it can release the full contents of the pill all at once (risking overdose). If 10mgs is entering your system at a slow pace and it feels way too strong, then getting that full 10mg all at once would be EVEN MORE overwhelming for your body. If you're aiming for 5mg, there's also no way of knowing if the 5-10mgs are evenly distributed throughout the pill's composition. One half may contain 7-8mgs for all we know (and it would be immediately-released if the time-release mechanism is altered).

I think the best solution is to ask for a lower dosage; an explanation from your prescribing doctor on why he switched you; and/or ask for a different medication altogether.

If you have a compassionate doctor then he/she should help you transition, but my opinion is that whether or not the pill is plastic vs coated time-release shouldn't make a difference in the safety of cutting it in half. It simply isn't intended to be taken this way because it disrupts the time-release mechanism and that could potentially put you in a worse situation. This is just my own two-cents. If anyone else has a better explanation then I would like to hear it as well.

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Re: David (# 1)

You are correct regarding every extended release pill I have seen. But the OPs are different.
Thanks though.

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