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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 20 of 20. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Phillipa on January 1, 2005, at 18:35:37
I have counted 2 capsules of 30mg cymbalta to determine how many pellets are in 1 mg dose. Guess what? There was an 8% deviation between the 2 samples I had. One contained 315 pellets and the other had 292. So... on the average of 303 pellets per 30mg dose, 10 pellets is approximately a 1mg dose. I would like oyhers to take a count and we can compare numbers! And I thought medicine manfacturing was a refined science.HA -Gnepig
Posted by alexandra_k on January 1, 2005, at 19:37:58
In reply to Cymbalta pellets and Lilly's QC standards, posted by Phillipa on January 1, 2005, at 18:35:37
I guess that 1mg doesn't result in a significant difference?
Posted by alexandra_k on January 1, 2005, at 19:39:02
In reply to Re: Cymbalta pellets and Lilly's QC standards » Phillipa, posted by alexandra_k on January 1, 2005, at 19:37:58
- Hey, maybe you should offer to count them for them. Get into drug manufacturing :-)
Might slow down production a little though...
Posted by Phillipa on January 1, 2005, at 19:47:19
In reply to Cymbalta pellets and Lilly's QC standards, posted by Phillipa on January 1, 2005, at 18:35:37
Ooops! I recalculated and the deviation of 23 pellets, is a 2.3mg variance between the two capsules.gnepig
Posted by Phillipa on January 1, 2005, at 19:51:54
In reply to Re: Cymbalta pellets and Lilly's QC standards » Phillipa, posted by Phillipa on January 1, 2005, at 19:47:19
Hey! Where are all you math experts! I want to make sure he's right. It's my name he's posting under per Dr. Bob. Phillipa
Posted by alexandra_k on January 1, 2005, at 20:12:48
In reply to Re: Cymbalta pellets and Lilly's QC standards » Phillipa, posted by Phillipa on January 1, 2005, at 19:47:19
2.3? Hmm. Well I guess that wouldn't result in a significant difference then(?)...
Posted by Phillipa on January 1, 2005, at 20:39:46
In reply to Re: Cymbalta pellets and Lilly's QC standards » Phillipa, posted by alexandra_k on January 1, 2005, at 20:12:48
I guess it depends on how med-sensitive you are,but don't you wonder if the quality control is so lax, that the chemical formulation is also lacking? Hey, bring in the Chemist!!
Wonder if anyone has counted pellets in other meds that contain them?gnepig
Posted by anneL on January 1, 2005, at 21:28:12
In reply to Cymbalta pellets and Lilly's QC standards, posted by Phillipa on January 1, 2005, at 18:35:37
Hi Philipa,
I believe that the dose is weight based not the number of pellets.
Posted by Phillipa on January 1, 2005, at 21:36:33
In reply to Re: Cymbalta pellets and Lilly's QC standards » Phillipa, posted by anneL on January 1, 2005, at 21:28:12
Start a Thread on this. I've read a lot Posts where a lot of Babblers are counting the pellets, and that's where I got the idea. Thanks for the info. Sincerely, Phillipa
Posted by Phillipa on January 2, 2005, at 9:52:42
In reply to Re: Cymbalta pellets and Lilly's QC standards » Phillipa, posted by anneL on January 1, 2005, at 21:28:12
That would be a reasonable explaination since it is a 30 MG dose. I dont have a scale to weigh it though. gnepig
Posted by anneL on January 2, 2005, at 10:37:30
In reply to Re: Cymbalta pellets and Lilly's QC standards » anneL, posted by Phillipa on January 1, 2005, at 21:36:33
Hi Phillipa,
Counting pellets for time release meds such as Effexor and Cymbalta for the purpose of doing a slooooow taper has been reported by babblers to be helpful to lessen/avoid the withdrawl effects.
As a fellow sufferer from withdrawl from Effexor, I plan on following the same strategy of counting pellets,if and when I am able to get down to the last 37.5 mg. capsule.
Although counting pellets (of Effexor) may not be an exact science because the capsules are filled with varying amounts and sizes of the individual pellets, I hope that this strategy will help lessen my symptoms. I wish you a smooth and easy transition off of your medication. :) anneL
Posted by coll81 on May 19, 2005, at 13:09:57
In reply to Re: Cymbalta pellets and Lilly's QC standards » anneL, posted by Phillipa on January 1, 2005, at 21:36:33
i read your post on capsules of effexor or cymbalta. i was wondering if i just swallowed them quick on my mouth would i not be absorbing them properly? also did you still feel bad withdrawel even though you tapered very slowly taking a little less of the pellets each time?
Posted by awatts on May 20, 2005, at 13:25:38
In reply to cymbalta pellets, posted by coll81 on May 19, 2005, at 13:09:57
> i read your post on capsules of effexor or cymbalta. i was wondering if i just swallowed them quick on my mouth would i not be absorbing them properly? also did you still feel bad withdrawel even though you tapered very slowly taking a little less of the pellets each time?
My pdoc said to mix however many of the little beads I wanted to take, with food such as applesauce or mashed potatoes. If you are like must of us, you will always feel at least a little bad. The slower you go - the less bad effects you will experience. It's your choice.
Posted by Larry Hoover on May 20, 2005, at 17:47:11
In reply to Re: Cymbalta pellets and Lilly's QC standards » Phillipa, posted by anneL on January 1, 2005, at 21:28:12
> Hi Philipa,
>
> I believe that the dose is weight based not the number of pellets.I didn't see this older thread.
The base material from which tablets, or in this case, the pellets that are in capsules, are standardized on weight percentage. In other words, a given mass gives a specific dose of a drug, within certain parameters.
After tablets are pressed, or capsules prepared, all of them are weighed. That is the standard by which any might be rejected from a batch.
Samples from each batch undergo detailed chemical analysis. If those samples meet the criteria for dose, then all other tabs/caps from that batch that passed the weight criterion are assumed to pass the dose criterion.
I don't think a dose +/- a pellet or two is a substantial deviation from the intended dose.
For all intents and purposes, counting pellets of Cymbalta or Effexor is the most effective way of estimating a partial dose that is available to you.
Lar
Posted by Larry Hoover on May 20, 2005, at 17:49:38
In reply to cymbalta pellets, posted by coll81 on May 19, 2005, at 13:09:57
> i read your post on capsules of effexor or cymbalta. i was wondering if i just swallowed them quick on my mouth would i not be absorbing them properly? also did you still feel bad withdrawel even though you tapered very slowly taking a little less of the pellets each time?
Just do not break the little pellets in your mouth. You should swallow them intact.
Tapering very slowly is the best way to avoid withdrawal symptoms, but it doesn't guarantee you won't have any.
Reducing by one pellet a day (an absurdly slow taper) might be your best shot at avoiding withdrawal symptoms, but it might indicate a tendency towards obsession. <wink>
Lar
Posted by Cairo on May 20, 2005, at 18:41:14
In reply to Re: Cymbalta pellets and Lilly's QC standards, posted by anneL on January 2, 2005, at 10:37:30
Counting pellets for quitting a med is not the only reason. I was ballistic on 30mg Cymbalta and tapered down to 5mg, which is only what I could tolerate. It was easy to pour the pellets in my hand, scoop up the number I needed with a creased Dixie cup and throw them back into my throat to swallow without chewing. I'd put the remaining pellets back in the capsule to use the next day. Never noticed a difference in effect.
Doing this with Effexor XR was another matter. One day I'd notice nothing, then another day I'd get serotonin-like symptoms. Are those pellets enteric coated?
Regarding deviation of dosage by this method, whose to say that you absorb exactly the same amount of any tablet anyway; wouldn't it depend on what you've eaten, pH in stomach, when you've taken your other meds, etc.???
Cairo
Posted by Dieselman on August 2, 2005, at 16:25:02
In reply to Cymbalta pellets and Lilly's QC standards, posted by Phillipa on January 1, 2005, at 18:35:37
> I have counted 2 capsules of 30mg cymbalta to determine how many pellets are in 1 mg dose. Guess what? There was an 8% deviation between the 2 samples I had. One contained 315 pellets and the other had 292. So... on the average of 303 pellets per 30mg dose, 10 pellets is approximately a 1mg dose. I would like oyhers to take a count and we can compare numbers! And I thought medicine manfacturing was a refined science.HA -Gnepig
I believe that drug companies are allowed to have a 20% differce either way in the amount of active drug the pills deliver. You may get a little more or a little less than expected in each pill. But for the most part I wouldn't think that would be enough to be worried about.Dieselman
Posted by Squiggles on August 3, 2005, at 8:23:34
In reply to Re: Cymbalta pellets and Lilly's QC standards, posted by Dieselman on August 2, 2005, at 16:25:02
I've had variations in Klonopin and though
noticeable, the effect was not *that* serious.
But with "narrow therapeutic index" drugs
(e.g. lithium), i think it's very dangerous.
I hope drug companies become more aware.Squiggles
Posted by barbaracat on August 4, 2005, at 22:30:55
In reply to Re: Cymbalta pellets and Lilly's QC standards, posted by Squiggles on August 3, 2005, at 8:23:34
I'm one of the first on this board who started the pellet counting thing. It's still working for me, by the way, at a level 8mg. Each pellet is enteric coated and if you examine them, pellets vary in size, some clump together. So capsules are measured by weight.
When I was at the 1mg stage, a few pellets here or there was significant. Now at a higher level (80 pellets), I've gottent to the point where I can eyeball how many are on the tip of my moist finger and not worry if I'm getting a few more or less. Try to just swallow whole. There is no taste. Taking with food can reduce/delay absorption by as much as 20%.
Best to take with applesauce if need be rather than a milk product. Milk fat engulfs particles of food or meds.
I'm still liking it very much along with 750mg lithium. That and my nutritionals are all I'm taking to control a former very disabling bipolar depression. - BarbaraCat
Posted by Dieselman on August 6, 2005, at 12:56:37
In reply to Re: Cymbalta pellets and Lilly's QC standards, posted by barbaracat on August 4, 2005, at 22:30:55
Good for you... I am glad it's working for you. I just started on it, along with klonopin for anxiety. I sure hopes it works cause sometimes I wonder weather anything will change the way I feel. It's only been four days but I do think it's working.
Thanks
Dieselman
This is the end of the thread.
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