Need another form of hydrocodone

Ckim · Experienced user Joined: 15 Aug 2008 Posts: 57

My father who has Stage IV lung cancer and who is a 4+ year survivor of Stage IV throat cancer (Go, Dad!) take hydrocodone for pain.

The problem is that full pills are too big for him to swallow and half pills are chalky. He invariably ends of chewing them (yech!) and then a little piece or two will get into his gag reflex and cause him to practically cough up a lung (double yech!).

(He takes one - three half pills at a time throughout the day--probably in the range of 6 pills total.)

Sure, having lung cancer, he does cough, but actually since receiving his second dose of Alimta 2 weeks ago, his breathing has improved a bit (I think it's working--Shh! Don't tell the tumors!).

My question is : Is there another form of hydrocodone that he can take by mouth? Liquid suspension? Smaller gel pill?

We have tried oxycontin--it turned him into a zombie and we thought he was dying.

I think it works better for him to take smaller doses of a pain killer more often than the time release oxycontin.

I also don't think he needs all that acetaminophen going through his liver. I understand that it is included not just for extra efficacy but to keep junkies from wanting it. My dad is not a junkie--he is a cancer patient with pain!

Anyone have any advice?

GRANDdaughterD · Regular Joined: 31 Aug 2008 Posts: 15

I believe there is a liquid suspension form. They prescribe it for children after surgery, so I'm sure you could get an adult-sized dose in a liquid.
_________________
D
My wonderful grandfather was dx with metastatic stage IV lung cancer on 8/28/08. He passed away at my home on 9/21/08.

Rest in peace, Poppy. We love you.

GRANDdaughterD · Regular Joined: 31 Aug 2008 Posts: 15

I believe there is a liquid suspension form. They prescribe it for children after surgery, so I'm sure you could get an adult-sized dose in a liquid.
_________________
D
My wonderful grandfather was dx with metastatic stage IV lung cancer on 8/28/08. He passed away at my home on 9/21/08.

Rest in peace, Poppy. We love you.

ksplat

Hi Ckim

My Bro has a brain tumour & this has affected his swallowing. His foods are the mushy kind or cut up small for him. I noticed his wife giving him his pain meds on a spoonful of custard/yogurt, she says this is easier for him to take....so perhaps you could try your Father with a half tablet on a spoonful of custard?

cheers, Angie
_________________
Brother diagnosed with GBMIV Feb 07
Treatment: Radiotherapy, Temodal, Gliadel Wafers, Dexamethasone, Keppra, Dilantin, Clexane
Went to our Heavenly Father after a 19mth battle,, 47 years young.
23 Sep 2008
http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=19227

"Without Faith We Have Nothing"

idobelieveinfairies

There are liquid meds for pain. I am not sure about oxycodone but I know there is a liquid morphine and methadone. Regardless what kind of pain meds they all are filtered out through the liver. I also know that there is a gel pill that can be inserted into the rectum when one can't swallow. There are also patches but be careful with these they are normally quite strong. Hope this helps.

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