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        New Message Board Archives >> 2004 Cluster Headache Specific Posts >> Whats the difference?
        
(Message started by: becky8 on Oct 20^th, 2004, 10:12am)

Title: Whats the difference?
Post by becky8 on Oct 20^th, 2004, 10:12am

After my last thread, I'm not sure if I should even ask this. But, dumb sounding as it may be and since this stuff is so $$$ I'll ask anyway. I started trex nasal spray20mg, Now I do injections. My question is because of change of DR's at one time I got my nasal spray refilled and got trex spray only in 5mg ( I didn't even know they made anything but a 20mg. Needless to say the 5mg didn't touch my Ha's. Like I said I am now on shots, but not wanting towaste any trex and 20mg spray DID work for me, if taken soon enough. Explain the differences in amounts of trex in the sprays and shots. And can I just use more of the spays at one time since they weaker than I normally use?? So as not to waste?

Title: Re: Whats the difference?
Post by thomas on Oct 20^th, 2004, 10:21am

The shots are lower doses because imitrex is more efficient when used in the injected form. I have not seen the imitrex 5mg nasal spray, only the 20mg. But then again I haven't used imitrex in 2 years. Have you asked your doctor about other abortives, like amerge, zomig, or axert?

Title: Re: Whats the difference?
Post by Karla on Oct 20^th, 2004, 12:57pm

I get perscriptions for the 5mg and the 20mg ns of imitrix since my insurance limits each type and amount I can have. So... What I do is take 20mg by itself and If I need to I repeat in 2 hours. Up to 2x a day. That means 80mg of ns is ok in one day. So I will start with a two 5mg ns and if I am still having a ch in 10 min I will take another two 5 mg ns. That usually covers it. Then repeat taking the 4 more in a couple of hours if needed. Works nice.

Title: Re: Whats the difference?
Post by Giovanni on Oct 20^th, 2004, 1:33pm

I believe the net results are that the same amount of medication ends up in your system. The injections are the most efficient because of the delivery method.

John

Title: Re: Whats the difference?
Post by becky8 on Oct 20^th, 2004, 3:15pm

Whats the deal with the spray I mean. 5mg or 20mg is one stronger. I know with the shots it probably is but I never even new imitrex came in 5mg???

Title: Re: Whats the difference?
Post by Gator on Oct 22^nd, 2004, 2:37am

After doing some research, it appears GSK tested 5mg, 10mg and 20mg nasal sprays. Apparently, studies showed no significant difference in relief between the 5mg and 10mg nasal sprays. Obviously, the 20mg worked best. Doses over 20mg were shown to be no more effective than the 20mg dose. So, they have 5mg and 20mg nasal sprays.

As always, ask your doc, but to me it seems like 20mg is 20mg, whether it is all at once or four 5mg snorts.

Gator

Title: Re: Whats the difference?
Post by becky8 on Oct 23^rd, 2004, 5:33pm

Gator,
I believe you probably on right on this. Like I said I don't want to waste any and I am stuck with this one box of 5mg. I really like and use the injections now. But I tryed 2 sprays of 5mg one night (still not good). Then one time I just did 4 sprays of 5mg and it worked, I just didn't know if it was okay and didn't even know they made a 5mg. Thanks for the help, I feel better about doing that now, I don't have many left anyway.Again just didn't want to waste them.

Title: Re: Whats the difference?
Post by unsolved1 on Oct 23^rd, 2004, 6:51pm

Whats the difference ?
Ones a pill and ones a spray....THen theres always the injection form.
(The ONLY one that will work for me is the injection)

Unsolved

Title: Re: Whats the difference?
Post by becky8 on Oct 24^th, 2004, 7:53pm

There is spray that comes in 5mg , 10mg,and the best and only one that works for me, the 20mg. Pills are useless for me. Shots are excellent, but some don't like needles

Title: Re: Whats the difference?
Post by unsolved1 on Oct 25^th, 2004, 12:04am

on 10/24/04 at 19:53:14, becky8 wrote:

Shots are excellent, but some don't like needles

I'd much rather deal with a little stick and 15 - 20 minutes of pure clusterhell ....... then no stick and 90 minutes (Give or take an hour) of pure clusterhell !!

Unsolved

Title: Re: Whats the difference?
Post by ArCane on Oct 25^th, 2004, 1:36pm

on 10/25/04 at 00:04:49, unsolved1 wrote:

I'd much rather deal with a little stick and 15 - 20 minutes of pure clusterhell ....... then no stick and 90 minutes (Give or take an hour) of pure clusterhell !!

Unsolved

AMEN

Title: Re: Whats the difference?
Post by becky8 on Oct 25^th, 2004, 1:48pm

huh? I thought we talking about the different doses the spray comes in? I agree shots rock, but that wasn't the question,OH, never mind!!!LMAO!!!! Whatever works??????????

Title: Re: Whats the difference?
Post by Karla on Oct 25^th, 2004, 3:18pm

Unsolved the nasal spray works as fast as the needle. In 6-10 min. I am pain free from nasal spray. Longest its taken is 15 min. but that was one time. So your only option isn't needle for fast relief.

Title: Re: Whats the difference?
Post by unsolved1 on Oct 25^th, 2004, 4:30pm

on 10/25/04 at 15:18:12, Karla wrote:

I don't dispute the fact that some ppl get quick relief from the NS. It's just inneffective for me. I can spray 1 in each nostril and my head will still bang for an hour. The ONLY thing that I have found to work effectively for me are the injections.

Unsolved

Title: Re: Whats the difference?
Post by becky8 on Oct 25^th, 2004, 6:05pm

At first I didn't think this was a good thread to have started, but now I wonder if people are feeling like this about the sprays because they come in different strengths and IT DOES make a huge difference when you use. And if you don't really pay attention you can get one strength and then another. I have used the shots now and 20 mg spray and the 5 mg spray. And I have to say the 20 mg spray does really work pretty fast and is for sure to me strong as the shots!! The 5 mg on the other hand stink, and like I said if you don't really pay attention you might get the 5 mg sometime like I did. This is good to talk about

Title: Re: Whats the difference?
Post by Tom K on Oct 25^th, 2004, 6:19pm

I agree...always check your dosage at the pharm. I have never gotten the 5mg instead of the 20 but I guess it could happen. I think the majority of confusion would happen at home, in the dark, grabbing meds in the dark and hitting the wrong dosage.

T

Title: Re: Whats the difference?
Post by Jimmy_B on Oct 28^th, 2004, 7:13am

on 10/20/04 at 10:12:58, becky8 wrote:

I started trex nasal spray20mg, Now I do injections. My question is because of change of DR's at one time I got my nasal spray refilled and got trex spray only in 5mg Needless to say the 5mg didn't touch my Ha's. I am now on shots,

Explain the differences in amounts of trex in the sprays and shots. And can I just use more of the spays at one time since they weaker than I normally use?? So as not to waste?

The difference between the sprays & shots is that less Mg's are needed for the shot since it pretty much goes right into the system & does not lose efficacy through the blood/brain barrier or G.I. system. You'll see this in most drugs i.e. Morphine 60mg. orally is equal to 10 MG Morphine intra-muscularly...

I would ask a Pharmacist or Doctor on taking (4) 5mg sprays as compared to (1) 20mg Spray. Although the active ingredient would be the same, there may be by-products in the drug that are not tolerated at 4x's the dose. But there probably wouldn't be an issue.

Stay pain free

Jimmy

Title: Re: Whats the difference?
Post by becky8 on Oct 29^th, 2004, 8:12pm

Good reply, Jimmy. Now were getting some where!!! ;;D ;;D

Title: Re: Whats the difference?
Post by mynm156 on Oct 30^th, 2004, 11:47am

Ok Gang,

The reason WHY the injections are lower in dose is because of the fact that it is injected directly into the body and thus absorbed easier. Most of the Nasal spray passes down the throat in the form of drainage. Also note that the Trex Pills are even a lager dose because most of the med is cleansed by the liver before it even help you. This is referred to as the first pass effect That is why IV or IM meds are smaller doses and usually more effective.

GOOD VIBES MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN PAIN!

MYNM156

Title: Re: Whats the difference?
Post by Kevin_M on Oct 30^th, 2004, 4:09pm

I have always gotten the nasal spray in 20mgs. I have heard that they made a 5mg spray but I never would get that. I figured is was for safe use for children or something, I don't know.
Using the nasal spray though, if taken early, I always endure about 20 minutes of pain and sometimes longer, but I know it will go away. With that kind of delay, I wouldn't touch the 5 mg. 20mg works, but icepacks are a must while waiting. I stay with them because I get a good quantity and they can be used without a moment's interruption at work. Although I always have kleenex and shades at work too, icepack is out. Leaving my desk can be difficult at times. Oxygen works faster for me but I use it at home only.

Title: Re: Whats the difference?
Post by thebbz on Nov 1^st, 2004, 9:31pm

I think the fact that these meds are used primarily for migraine treatment is some reasoning for various doses introduced orally. I only wished they were more effective with CH in particular.??????
BB