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Had Major Surgery. Taking Oxy And Percoset. Could I Reduce The Dosage?

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Posted on Wed, 23 Oct 2013
Question: Hello....Had major surgery in XXXXXXX ...
Put on Oxy 20 mgms 3x daily.....
Sept 6 started to taper off...
now on percoset 5mgm when needed...
Yesterday, and today took it @ 9 am, and 1p.m......
I am feeling like I am getting to much....
Can I split the 5mgm......better yet can I just quit it all together......
doctor
Answered by Dr. Jorge Brenes-Salazar (46 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Yes

Detailed Answer:
Dear patient,

Thanks for your concerns. Yes, by all means narcotics are not intended to be used long term after a surgery and once your pain improves in the acute setting, you can stop using those and use alternatives such as antiinflammatories (eg. ibuprofen, naproxen) and acetaminophen when having occasional pain.


Yours truly,

Dr Brenes-Salazar MD
Mayo Clinic MN
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Jorge Brenes-Salazar (3 hours later)
I am also doing naproxen.....do you suggest going cold XXXXXXX or continue the tapering....I want to go cold XXXXXXX but don't like the wd symptoms....

I took percoset 5 yesterday @ 9. however felt w,d aagain by 12;30....took percoset 5 again..........and did not have issues........took it around midnught........

did same thing to-day........however holding off the 9 p.m.....

not feeling great...

any suggestions
that would be 9 am, 12:30 p.m
doctor
Answered by Dr. Jorge Brenes-Salazar (9 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Taper off reasonable

Detailed Answer:
Dear patient,

I would recommend splitting the 5 mg into two, then decrease the dose to 2.5 BID for 3 days, then 2.5 mg daily for 3 days, then 2.5 mg every other day for 3 days and then stop... The later portion of the taper you wont feel "great", but you need to come off the narcotics, given their true addiction potential.


Best regards
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Jorge Brenes-Salazar

Cardiologist

Practicing since :2007

Answered : 1198 Questions

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Had Major Surgery. Taking Oxy And Percoset. Could I Reduce The Dosage?

Brief Answer:
Yes

Detailed Answer:
Dear patient,

Thanks for your concerns. Yes, by all means narcotics are not intended to be used long term after a surgery and once your pain improves in the acute setting, you can stop using those and use alternatives such as antiinflammatories (eg. ibuprofen, naproxen) and acetaminophen when having occasional pain.


Yours truly,

Dr Brenes-Salazar MD
Mayo Clinic MN