How to administer Oxycontin if the patient have difficulty swallowing?

by Admin on November 20, 2009

How to administer Oxycontin if patient suffers dry mucous membranes of the mouth and pharynx leading to some difficulty when swallowing her tablets? She continues to be on a fluid balance chart owing to some difficulties passing urine post surgery.

{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }

Pangolin November 20, 2009 at 11:23 pm

If it’s just a dry mouth that’s the problem, have her take a mouthful of pudding, or something else slippery, and see if that helps.

Her doctors should realize that the opiate is likely to contribute to her urinary retention.

If she cannot swallow the pills, then she’ll need a different prescription – something that comes in a liquid form. It’ll mean more frequent dosing, but at least the drug will get into her system.

rachaelina November 20, 2009 at 11:23 pm

This is a question to pose to the patient’s doctor, not on the internet.

W W D November 20, 2009 at 11:23 pm

It’s either going to happen or it isn’t. If the difficulty is enough to make it a real problem, an alternative medication may be needed. Under no circumstance, though, is it possible safely to disturb the matrix of the pill. That would result in too large a dose too fast.

dominique l November 20, 2009 at 11:23 pm

ask your doctor some alternatives, especially IV route.

Ladyoasis November 20, 2009 at 11:23 pm

Oxycodone (the active ingredient in Oxycontin) comes in liquid, but is not the extended-release form, is the immediate release. But surely is easier to swallow the liquid, and is 20mg per ml which is not a lot of liquid.

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