Emptying medication out of the capsule

[TrimayrAcademy]

I am currently on Prolonged release venlafaxine. I want to reduce the dose but the GP would only prescribe the normal dose until I have an appointment which will be on the 10th October.

The problem I have is that I already started taking the lower dose because I had some left over from before I event up a dose.

So I had the bright idea of opening the capsule and only taking half of the contents which I have done. I put one half back in the capsule and took the other half with a spoonful of peanut butter, now I am wondering if it is the capsule it’s self that makes it prolonged release and not the actual medication. So by taking it without the capsule I have possibly just given myself a rapid dose?

Potentially. I know when DS had a prescription for capsules and couldn't swallow them I asked about tipping the contents out to mix with yogurt or something and was told by the pharmacist to absolutely never do that.

It’s the enteric coating that modifies the release rate on many medications.

You absolutely shouldn’t be trying to reduce the dose the way you are. If you are insistent, then throw the half you take out away and take the capsule but, if it isn’t fully sealed it will, presumably, split open easier and you’d be left with the same issue. Just wait until you see the dr, it’s only a couple of weeks.

I have dropped from 300mg to 75mg by opening the capsules and splitting the beads into smaller doses - no problem at all

I had a quick google and it seems you can tip them into applesauce (what even is that? An American thing?) so hopefully it will be fine.

@OhTheProblemIsDefinitelyMe that’s what DH said but I am bloody minded and once I have decided something that’s that!