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Suggest Dosage For Morphine And Dilaudid

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Posted on Wed, 8 Apr 2015
Question: I am currently taking morphine sulfate er 30 mg 3x a day and dilaudid 8 mg 6x a day. The pharmacist wants me to talk to the Dr about adding more of the er drug and lower the dilaudid tho 4mg 6x a day.
What is the ratio for this? The pharmacist said the morphine er comes in 30/45/50/60/70/80.
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Answered by Dr. Dr. Matt Wachsman (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
No on the e-mail

Detailed Answer:
This is a LOT of narcotic. This would generally only be in situations in which the potential for a fatal overdose is recognized and allowed (very widespread cancer). In this context the pain is generally constant and severe and is predominantly treated with a 24 hr long term regimen (like long acting morphine). I can see where the pharmacists perspective is coming from
BUT
1) there has to be a very bad underlying disease or other issues (drug dependency) have to be considered
2) this is totally about how the person's pain is controlled. If the drugs are working adequately in the way they are currently delivered, it would be a reason NOT to change.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Dr. Matt Wachsman

Addiction Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :1985

Answered : 4214 Questions

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Suggest Dosage For Morphine And Dilaudid

Brief Answer: No on the e-mail Detailed Answer: This is a LOT of narcotic. This would generally only be in situations in which the potential for a fatal overdose is recognized and allowed (very widespread cancer). In this context the pain is generally constant and severe and is predominantly treated with a 24 hr long term regimen (like long acting morphine). I can see where the pharmacists perspective is coming from BUT 1) there has to be a very bad underlying disease or other issues (drug dependency) have to be considered 2) this is totally about how the person's pain is controlled. If the drugs are working adequately in the way they are currently delivered, it would be a reason NOT to change.