Question:
What is the difference between taking liquid Perocet for malaborbtion?

I just posted a question regarding malabsorbtion with pain medicine and a member mentioned taking liquid Percocet vs pills. I was wondering how do these differ in the absorbtion process? Thank you for all of your help in advance. I really appreciate this website. Everyone is so nice and very helpful.    — Kristy (posted on December 28, 2008)


December 28, 2008
The liquid absorbs faster than the pills. The pills take time to absorb, and since your intestines are shortened, you don't often have that full amount of time to get the full dose.
   — hubarlow

December 28, 2008
I couldnt actually find it listed in my nursing drug reference or online absorbtion for liquid narcotics. Its states 10-20 min for pills. I would think liquid is about the same, or maybe alittle faster. After surgery the liquid narc would hit pretty quick with the sedating effects only lasting couple hours. I dont feel there is a malabsorbion issue. Ill be researching this at work on tuesday
   — urbrat2

December 28, 2008
You might ask your Dr. what part of your system best absorbs the drug. For instance, we can't take birth control pills any more with rny because they are absorbed in the lower part of the stomach which isn't "in the loop" any more. Also this is why not only do we have to take chewables but also only certain TYPES of calcium and iron.
   — JODI_13

December 28, 2008
Right after surgery, it may be easier to get liquid down, but a pain management doctor told me that as far as effectiveness goes, there is no difference in short term medication. I had gastic bypass surgery in 2006, too, and lost 175 pounds. I thought it would end my medical problems, but all it did was enable them to find the problems !!! After two knee replacements, arthritis all over, spinal stenosis, scoliosis, and 2 slopped vertibrae-that's bone, not disks, and fibfromyalgia, I went to a pain managemnt doctor and that was his take. I'm not so sure I agree though. Only your body knows the answer to that question.
   — Suzanne S.

December 28, 2008
Since you no longer have stomach acids to break down the pills, of course a liquid is going to be easier for your body to absorb. You might get the same effect if you crushed the pills and mixed with a little water or milk before swallowing. Everyone is different, but pain pills do nothing for me, whereas liquid pain meds hit me within 10-15 mins.
   — eddyrider3

December 28, 2008
I've never heard of liquid percocet. Now that doesn't mean that it doesn't exist, but I'VE never heard of it before. I've been on percocet for serious pain for some time now. My surgeon said that after surgery, I should just crush it for a while so that I can get it down. I think that if there was a liquid variation, he would suggest that. Of course, it may be different in the States than in Canada, who knows?? As for the difference, the liquid (or sub-lingual) drug is placed under the tongue for absorbtion. Therefore, you do not rely, entirely, on your internal organs to digest and/or absorb it. The drugs that you just swallow will rely on your intestines to break it down and send it through out the body. Breaking down or crushing the medication ensures that your body doesn't have as much work to do and the medication can be absorbed much quicker than it would be if it had to be broken down first. Does that make sense?? Think of it like an "m&m". If you swallow an m&m whole, you miss the chocolate center entirely. It will disolve inside of you and you won't get to taste the inside. It's the same with medication (not as tasty, though), when you swallow it whole, you don't get the "goodness" inside that you would if it was chewed up (or crushed prior to putting it in your mouth. Got it now? I hope that I have been able to help you even just a little bit. Good luck to you!
   — anitak

December 28, 2008
Anything you take in liquid will be much faster to absorb. Reason is many things are broken down by acid in the stomach and absorbed there and in the small intestines. As RNYers we have little to no stomach acid and our small intestines are bypassed...The only digestive enzymes we have are saliva and the little acid at the "Y" section of our RN"Y" where the intestines are bypassed to. By this time it's too late for anything to be absorbed by the acid there. Pills often will not be broken down enough in the RNY pouch and will bypass the small intestines and be dumped right into the large intestines (Thus, the word "dumping") where it may not absorb at all...It is not the normal job of the large intestines to absorb nutrients, vits, minerals or meds! Just water that is left over from food and waste...No more digestion at all happens in the large intestines...Your mouth has saliva enzymes that are quite powerful as stomach acid...This is why we can absorb B-12 as a sublingual (in the mouth) As soon as B vits hit that saliva it is absorbed! Taking a B-12 tablet will not work...Same idea for most meds. This is why we cannot take time release capsules...or hard tablets or pills with great success...Capsules with powdered meds are far better absorbed since they melt faster than tablets and are already powder form...If you crush pills it works fairly well too...Take in a TBSP of apple sauce for extra acidity and easy swallowing! If you found a liquid form TAKE IT! It will be better absorbed for sure than taking a pill! I chew everything because I cannot swallow pills very well...It's just easier for me to chew them into smaller pieces or crush in a mortar with pestle. If I can find a liquid form, I will take that...I even found Prevacid in a liquid suspension just after surgery while I was still healing from the ravages of GERD! You often just have to ask you doc before they prescribe meds for you...
   — .Anita R.

December 29, 2008
In general (WLS or not), liquid medication is absorbed faster than pills. As far as the amount absorbed, I'm not sure there would be any difference. The malabsorption caused by WLS happens because the small intestine (where the majority of food and nutrients are absorbed) is shortened. The absorption of pain medication is not limited to the small intestine... it is absorbed through the entire GI tract. People who cannot swallow or are unable to take medication orally are sometimes given medication in suppository form(including tylenol and morphine)... the medication is absorbed through the walls of the rectum, not using the stomach or intestines at all.
   — mrsidknee

December 29, 2008
The liquid gets absorbed faster than the pills. Its an advantage because you will receive the full effect of the medicine more quickly. vinnigirl
   — vinnigirl




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