Exalgo Forums

I am unable to move my bowels from taking Exalgo and other opiods that I have taken for my chronic pain. I have tried taking drugs like Movantik and Amitiza that are supposed to relieve opiod constipation but they have not worked for me. Neither has more fiber, Colace, prunes, miralax etc. Anybody have any amazing remedy??? ## Very sorry about the problem you are having. I've been there, when taking opiates, but increased fiber intake helped me. Have you tried enemas, or suppositories? There are some available via prescription, and some over the counter products, since they are inserted anally, they work directly on the hardened stool. The FDA lists the typical side effects as including irritation, cramping, and diarrhea. Beyond that, you may need to go to the ER for treatment of th...

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Hello, I was doing wonderfully with my myriad chronic neck and back pain on 16mg Exalgo (generic is hydromorphone extended release) for 3 years with the same doctor, no other pain medication, simply ONE pill/day and never built up a tolerance! I'm certain I don't have to say how very rare THAT was, because it was for ME, as well. After being treated with many potent pain medications that would just quit working after a few weeks, going through endless rounds of useless inj's., one doctor started forcing me to get them done 3 times a week, thereafter I discovered most of the inj's. aren't supposed to be performed more than every three months at the MOST! Due to all the new laws, and also because he is extremely greedy; the doctor who formerly prescribed the Exalgo for...

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I have been on every narcotic out there from the lowest to 100 mg Morphine four times a day, in combination with OxyContin and Oxycodone, Norco, Percocet, and the 2mg Xanax four times a day with it. I got put on Exalgo 32 twice a day with Norco, Lyrica, and some other drugs and it was not taking care of the pain good enough. To make this short, I would put my Exalgo under my tongue to soften it up and split the pill with a pill splitter, you'll see grey and white. The white part is the med, but then I would chew it up or grind it in a pill grinder and swallow it. Works 100 times better and faster. ## Thanks for the advice. I know it's not recommended to take it that way, but you were right. I got relief for the first time. ## Since I started taking Exalgo (and yes, like the rest...

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The last two times I saw my pain doctor I was told that the Exalgo wasn't showing up in my drug screen. The oxy is. As a result today I was only prescribed two weeks worth of meds. Thank you. ## I know this post is old. But for other people, insist on a blood test. The office test may not be sensitive enough if u r taking a lose dose. Meaning the test doesn't go that low.

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My insurance company will no longer cover the Exalgo, what would be a substitute? ## Exalgo contains the active ingredient Hydromorphone in a time released formulation. It is available as a generic, as well as under the trade names Opana and Opana ER. Thus, your doctor should be able to prescribe one of those in an equivalent dosage. This is a narcotic analgesic, so it has the potential to be habit forming and may cause side effects, such as nausea, dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth and constipation. Is there anything else I can help with? ## What is a comparable drug to exalgo? Exalgo costs too much on our insurance plan. Any ideas where I can get it cheaper?

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Has anyone noticed a difference with Exalgo ER compared to the generic form of this drug? I have noticed that the generic does not work as well as the Trade name. Has anyone else found this to be true? ## How long have you been taking it? What are the markings on it? The FDA warns that this medication carries the risk of being habit forming and may cause side effects, such as nausea, dizziness, headache, dry mouth, and constipation. Are you on any other medications?

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I have been struggling with pain management for 15 yrars. I seems like I have tried every thing available. I have no relief from the pain. I am currently on Exalgo 32mg. still no help. I have tryed norco, oxycodone up to 30 mg, hydromorphone 30mg, I usualy feel no effect at all. What is the difference with the hydromorphine. I wonder if it is worth trying next. ## Charles, That list of medication is quite formidable.Hydromorphone is Dilaudid but if you're on Exalgo that is hydromorphone ER.Oxymorphone better known as Opana. There are other opiods particularly Methadone and Fentanyl but Most providers are limited in the use of these because they often cause nasty side effects and are extreamly habit forming I'm by no means a licensed prescriber so I recommend seeing a qualified p...

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I can't take the 80 OP Oxycontin. If this 24 hour pain reliever is available, what would be my titration? I took 3 a day plus 30 IR. Any answers? ## The only thing new that could be used for pain that I am finding listed by the FDA is a new formulation of Suboxone as an orally dissolvable film. Do you remember any more details or where you read it? I am sorry, but I cannot find anything else on it, I did a search for news and drug articles. Do you remember any other details? ## yes verwon thanks for the reply. it is exalgo and it has been approved when i go anywhere to look for it is hydromorrphone analgesic, i found the site and it reccommendred all non prescription mens health care products levitra viagra ect, it gives all the info on the morphine once a day confrmed the fda appro...

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Is there anything that works better. My Doc and I are looking a Internal pain pump. Which would put the drug straight in my spinal cord and I would have to go in once a month to get a refill. I don't know which drug will be used probably morphine. ## Hello, Jeff! How are you? I'm sorry that you're in pain. What other medications have you tried? Have you ever tried the Fentanyl patches? This is a narcotic analgesic, so it has the potential to be habit forming and may cause side effects, such as nausea, dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth and constipation. ## Some pain doctors, if you have been on narcs for a long time for a good reason (if you have reached your tolerance level on most drugs..by the way..with some docs thats a red flag and you only get three, sometimes less and y...

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I have been loosing teeth (they r rotting and then falling out. Could this be from taking exalgo(hydromorphone) 32mg re for the 4 years ## Yes, it certainly could be. Opiate medications cause dry mouth, which allows bacteria that cause decay to remain on your teeth longer than usual, your saliva is typically a big help in washing some of it away. Additionally, they tend to leech minerals from the body, such as vitamin D and calcium, which can cause your teeth to become softer, so they decay easier. The NIH and FDA have several studies and articles available about this. You may want to speak to your dentist about doing some fluoride treatments and then putting a sealant on them to help prevent damage. Another good idea would be to keep your mouth more moist, frequent sips of water, or su...

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I have just moved here five weeks ago from Birmingham, Alabama. I now find that I cannot get a doctor to prescribe the pain medications that I have been using for some five years. I have had three cervical surgeries and one lumbar surgeries. I have among other things, degeneration of the spine. I also have a list of about seven other maladies that I can't begin to name because of their names. I am in constant severe pain without my Exalgo and Hydromorphone. I will run out in ten days and I'm told that I won't be able to even get into a doctor who prescribes these types of meds for at least five weeks. What do they expect me to do in the meantime? Does anyone know of a doctor that prescribes pain medications that doesn't have a LONG waiting list. I'm desperate. I also...

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What are the differences between the brand name Exalgo (12 mg extended release) by Mallinckrodt and Mallinckrodt's generic formula of Exalgo? My doctor indicated generics, in general, can be "different" from brand name by as much as 30%. Since Mallinckrodt manufacturers both the brand name Exalgo and its generic, I am hoping they are the same. My insurance company wants to cut costs. Does anyone know what the differences are between the two? Thank you in advance! ## Hello, Kate! How are you? Under the Hatch-Waxman Act of 1984, the allowable difference is actually plus or minus 20% of the active ingredient, not 30. As to the differences, if any, unfortunately, I don't have any information on that, as companies aren't require to note them. There is also more than one m...

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I have been taking 16mg of Exalgo 3times daily with 3 doses of 8mg Dilaudid for break threw pain. What is a safe low amount to start of the Oxycontin. My doctor gave me 3 60mg a day and I am concerned about starting a 60mg right away. ## Hello, Dreamer! How are you? That dose of Oxycontin is slightly higher than the dose you were taking of the Exalgo. Each 16mgs of it is equal to 42.67mgs of the Oxycontin. However, you can't cut the Oxycontin to lower the dose, but you may want to ask your doctor about starting with 2 a day to see how that works for you. The FDA classifies this medication as a narcotic analgesic, so it has the potential to be habit forming and may cause side effects, such as nausea, dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth and constipation. Is there anything else I can help...

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unable to fill script ## Did you try any other pharmacies? There are limits on how much they can order and have in stock per month, so it may be that Walgreens is just out at the moment and won't be able to restock until the beginning of next month. The only other idea I can give you is to contact your doctor and see if there is an alternative medication you can use. How long have you been on Exalgo? Learn more Exalgo details here. ## find a local neighborhood pharmacy-they want the business and will make sure you get it in 24 hours or less unlike the others that want to order and take 4 days or will decide you should not have it. CVS and Walgreens both do that. When exalgo first came out it was ordered for me at the pharmacy and when I went to pick it up the pharmacist would not fi...

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Whats the difference between exalgo and opana and oxycontin? ## Hello, Dana! How are you? As listed by the FDA, all 3 of these narcotics contain a different active ingredient. Exalgo contains a time released formulation of Hydromorphone. Opana contains Oxymorphone and Oxycontin contains Oxycodone in a time released formulation. All are narcotics that carry the risk of being habit forming and may cause side effects, such as nausea, dizziness, headache, constipation and dry mouth. Out of the 3, Exalgo is the strongest, next would be Opana, then Oxycontin. To give you a comparison, for each 5mg of Oxycontin, you'd only need 2.5mgs of Opana to be equivalent and 1.88mgs of Exalgo. Is there anything else I can help with?

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I have been on this new EXPENSIVE drug EXALGO 16mg, The doctor's around here do not want to prescribe what I can take ( I am allergic to so much) and this stuff makes me sick and I break out in Hives worse then any other medication I have been on! Not only did my insurance have to make a fuss over covering this $750.00 medication for 30 a month but now that they are it is not helping me as well as my Nucynta's did and he wont put me back on them or NO DOCTOR in my area will give me the Rodxycodone due to the addicts, I don't want to be on a Schedule 2 drug but they claim I am seeking if I want something no as strong. What is wrong with these physicians these days, the ones that are not addcits can't get squat but send a addcit into the office and they come out with 2 or ...

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My Doc. I have been with for 20 years prescribes 5-32 mg exalgo every day for me. It is no longer working as well, my biggest problem is I live in Fresno and my Doc is 74 so I am shopping for a Doc, I tried two others who told me I was an addict. 30 years ago when I began opiates in the bay area I was told I would need these for the rest of my life. I am stuck here, I cannot handle a car ride of more than 30 minutes. Once or twice a year I go to the hospital for other problems caused by the gunshot, I am forced to hide my meds and take them in secrete per my Doc. No one knows what to do with me. Please if anyone has a solution that makes sense let me know. I need to find a new Doc before mine retires. He has been great but retirement has to be looming in the near future. Going off opioi...

I've been talking exalgo 32mg. And it takes some of my pain away. Before I was on methadone oxycodone, fentanyl pathches and they did nothing for me. But now my copay is over 800.00 a month. I don't waant to go back to the horrible pain due to my bone cancer. Does anybody know if there is a program to help us pay for exalgo ## Hello, Big TZ! How are you? There is an assistance program for this, one that helps with co-pays and one that does more. You can call them for more information to see if you qualify at 888-222-9853. The FDA lists this medication as being a narcotic analgesic, so it has the potential to be habit forming and may cause side effects, such as nausea, dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth and constipation. Is there anything else I can help with?

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Trying to find a picture of what the generic form of Exalgo 16mg tablets look like. ## Hello, Rose! How are you? What are the markings on the tablet in question? There is a 16mg extended release Hydromorphone tablet that is white, round and has the marking WPI 3630 on it and that is the only generic that I've found in this dosage, so far. This is a narcotic analgesic, so it has the potential to be habit forming and may cause side effects, such as nausea, dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth and constipation. ## That is what I thought. Last month my pharmacist gave me my Rx of Exalgo half of the pills were the yellowish color with Exh and 16 on the tablet and some said the W with 3630 if I recall. When I asked for the generic again to save $$'s he said they only get the generic in no...

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My husband suffers terribly with an inoperable back condition, with a severe curvature of the spine, bulging and herniated disks, etc. It has been suggested that he get his pain meds from Canada since has become such a challenge to get them here in Florida. The pharmacy has limited how many pills he can get in any given month, despite what his prescription calls for. The medication he is having difficulty getting filled is Exalgo. If anyone knows of or has dealt with a reputable Canadian pharmacy and can recommend one please let me know. ## Hello, Bekkah! How are you? Sorry about the issues that your husband is dealing with. There are limits on how much of any medication in a certain dosage he can receive each month, this has always been the case, it's just the some pharmacies weren...

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