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        New Message Board Archives >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies 2004 >> Splitting Imitrex Doses?
        
(Message started by: Kris_in_SJ on Jul 2^nd, 2004, 10:05am)

Title: Splitting Imitrex Doses?
Post by Kris_in_SJ on Jul 2^nd, 2004, 10:05am

Maybe a dumb question, but ...

I can't envision splitting Trex doses using the QTip method. By the time I reach for the injector, I seem to have lost all eye-hand coordination - just want relief!

I've seen where some of you inject the med into a sterile vial and use insulin syringes. I could do that!

My question - can you just walk into a pharmacy and buy these things without a prescription? My doc would write one if I asked. Just wanted to know ...

Kris

Title: Re: Splitting Imitrex Doses?
Post by Rock_Lobster on Jul 2^nd, 2004, 12:57pm

The Trex comes in vials. 6mg/.5ml. There seems to be a little extra in each vial though.

You will need a script for both the Trex and the syringes.
Each vial is supposedly 1 dose, the same as the autoinjector. I get 3-4 doses per vial... .125ml does it for me.

Thus, get a script for lots more syringes than vials.

Have fun,
Lobstah

Title: Re: Splitting Imitrex Doses?
Post by E-Double on Jul 2^nd, 2004, 12:58pm

I kinda had the same question.
I wish I knew... Still haven't tried the imitrex because I need to be off the zomig for 24 hours @ the same time I nearly lost my shit with a kip 8 in a clients' house. All I wanted to do was take something but couldn't id I want to try the trex tomorrow.

Also when I asked my putz Dr. about smaller doses and then if needed increasing he said this is how it is.. thus I continue looking for the new doc.

Good luck and sorry no answers.
E

Title: Re: Splitting Imitrex Doses?
Post by Superpain on Jul 3^rd, 2004, 4:24am

It's not hard, man...

prepare ahead of time. Scrape off the wrapper, mark it if you need to, just drop it gently back into the stat cartridge, and keep a qtip near by.

When you start getting hit just gently empty the statdose out of the crtridge pack, stick the qtip in, jab yourseld to the 1/3 or 1/2 mark. That's it. simple.

The hard part is when you've gotta take the 3rd shot off the same stat point. [smiley=laugh.gif] Get the hammer!

Title: Re: Splitting Imitrex Doses?
Post by don on Jul 3^rd, 2004, 6:06am

Quote:

prepare ahead of time. Scrape off the wrapper, mark it if you need to, just drop it gently back into the stat cartridge, and keep a qtip near by.

Ditto! Except instead of a Qtip I use a small eyeglass screwdriver.

Title: Re: Splitting Imitrex Doses?
Post by Giovanni on Jul 5^th, 2004, 8:39pm

I know how you feel Kris. I've split doses in the past, but really a hassle. I ended up throwing away as much as I saved by using this method.

Here's a link to a site that you can buy directly sterile vials and insulin syringes without RX. That's what I did, but didn't need it due to the mushrooms.

Good luck,

John

http://www.earthstores.com/gpzservices/

Title: Re: Splitting Imitrex Doses?
Post by don on Jul 5^th, 2004, 8:52pm

Quote from earthstores.......................

You are responsible for knowing your city, county, and state laws and regulations.

Title: Re: Splitting Imitrex Doses?
Post by Giovanni on Jul 6^th, 2004, 5:50am

Yea right, go ahead and re-inject yourself with a used needle and a q tip, but don't violate your Federal, local laws and ordinances.

Title: Re: Splitting Imitrex Doses?
Post by forgetfulnot on Jul 6^th, 2004, 11:36am

Way out west, Indian Territory, you can buy these things at any feed store, for vet use you know. ;) In town it's a policy thing not a law to not sell them.

Lee

Title: Re: Splitting Imitrex Doses?
Post by don on Jul 6^th, 2004, 12:50pm

Quote:

Yea right, go ahead and re-inject yourself with a used needle and a q tip, but don't violate your Federal, local laws and ordinances.

Dont be an idiot G !

If you take the proper precautions there is absolutely nothing wrong with re injecting.

Title: Re: Splitting Imitrex Doses?
Post by forgetfulnot on Jul 6^th, 2004, 2:57pm

on 07/06/04 at 12:50:39, don wrote:

Dont be an idiot G !

If you take the proper precautions there is absolutely nothing wrong with re injecting.

Don, is that why all injectable drugs employ a single use needle? Even if sterilized there is still a chance of some kind of infection, otherwise the needle peeps are making a killing! Wiping off the outside of the needle doe's not remove skin or bacteria from the inside of the needle. It sits in there and festers. Not a good idea.

Lee

Title: Re: Splitting Imitrex Doses?
Post by Kris_in_SJ on Jul 6^th, 2004, 8:50pm

Thanks everyone. I must admit that it was more the thought of re-injecting with a used needle than anything else that bothered me about the "splitting" thing. I worked in public health for awhile - that's all it took.

When it comes right down to it ... shrooms, sterile vials, insulin syringes that aren't for insulin ... well ... they might not necessarily be legal, but we still need to look out for our own health and well-being until someone "in authority" comes along with the perfect cure for what we've got.

I'm leaving my options open for my next cycle, but am trying to prepare as best I can.

Hugs and good wishes,

Kris

Title: Re: Splitting Imitrex Doses?
Post by Rock_Lobster on Jul 6^th, 2004, 9:03pm

Why are you still speaking of sterile vials? Did I miss something?
Trex comes in vials.

If you do not like the autoinjector trick, just get a script for Trex in vials.

Go to drugstore.com. Hit 'pharmacy'. Search on 'imitrex'.
Ding: Imitrex 6mg/0.5ml Solution, 0.5ml Vial

Title: Re: Splitting Imitrex Doses?
Post by don on Jul 6^th, 2004, 9:08pm

Quote:

If you do not like the autoinjector trick, just get a script for Trex in vials.

A voice of reason.

Title: Re: Splitting Imitrex Doses?
Post by Jeff_08 on Jul 6^th, 2004, 11:02pm

I tried getting it in the vials and the pharmacist said they don't sell it like that anymore. (Acme pharmacy)

Title: Re: Splitting Imitrex Doses?
Post by Rock_Lobster on Jul 6^th, 2004, 11:59pm

on 07/06/04 at 23:02:15, Jeff_08 wrote:

I tried getting it in the vials and the pharmacist said they don't sell it like that anymore. (Acme pharmacy)

Find a pharmacy that does. Drugstore.com does... pick it up from them.

When a pharm tells me 'they do not have it', I instruct them to order it.

Title: Re: Splitting Imitrex Doses?
Post by Superpain on Jul 7^th, 2004, 1:47am

My statdoses when being split rarely get enough time between uses to grow anything.
That being said... I also use, prefer and condone the via/insulin syring technique whenever possible.

Title: Re: Splitting Imitrex Doses?
Post by jmorgan52 on Jul 13^th, 2004, 4:30am

I have a friend with diabetes who uses an injector "dial" pen for up to about 5 doses of insulin from the same needle without problems. Why don't they use this type of injector for imitrex/imigran?

As for the qtip method it works fine once you stop being a wuss and just do it! I do agree with superpain that by the 3rd time the needle needs extra effort to push in. Never had any poblems with infection, and in fact using the auto injector often results in a small amount of bleeding and soreness. The qtip method is bloodless. Just pinch hard on a good bit of flesh on the upper leg and between finger and thumb and push the needle gently in.

The motivation for me is that the cost is too high (I have to pay for all my own meds) and the docs won't prescribe anywhere near enough to get me through a cluster cycle. Using the qtip method stretches the meds out 2 to 3 time longer and reduces the cost substantially and seems to work just as well as a full dose.

John