How to make a liquid from tablets or capsules

[Altostrata]

@badmeditator, you are already half-way there with your method.

 

Since you are more or less making a suspension with your water method, all you need to do is add a measured amount of powder to a measured amount of water, gently stir to distribute the particles (a suspension in water), and draw what you need from measuring cup with probably a 1mL or 0.5mL oral syringe (depending on the volume you create with your dilution).

 

This may be sufficient for your purpose. If you feel more confident with a pharmaceutical suspension vehicle, while Ora-Plus is a well-known brand, there are others that you might find to be less expensive. Your pharmacist might even sell you a bottle.

 

Still, while a bottle of Ora-Plus might be expensive, without drug mixed in, Ora-Plus (and Ora-Sweet and Ora-Blend) are shelf-stable for 24 months (pdf).

 

Also see 

 

 

[Cheeky]

Hi Survivors, 

I just want to ask a question about my tapering using the my own liquid. 
Is this correct?

If I have one Seroquel 25mg tablet and dissolve it in 25ml of water and want to take 14mg, dose that mean I take 11ml of water and discard it and drink the rest. Sorry I just want to make sure I’m doing it correctly. Thanks

[brassmonkey]

@CheekyYes, that is correct.

 

It would be more accurate to remove the 14mL and take that instead, then discard the left overs. Actually keep the leftovers and you will get a "free dose" every third day. The leftovers should stay good for several days in the refrigerator.

[Bee5]

@Rhiannon and @brassmonkey I would like to ask your advice. I have made up a simple syrup (as per some pharmacy guidelines, it is basically just sugar an water) to use as a suspension vehicle for quetiapine (Seroquel). I have done my calculations very carefully, and I have ensured that the pills are well ground up and that the suspension is stirred well before taking my dose with a syringe. However, I am still getting a few breakthrough withdrawal symptoms on the 3.125 mg suspension, that I did not get on the 3.125 mg chopped up tablet, which I believe was even less accurate than the suspension. In your experience with other members, have you seen that some experience a bit of withdrawal when changing to a liquid formulation? If so, how long does it take to stabilise?

 

Regards,

Bee

[brassmonkey]

Did you do a direct change from tablet to liquid or id you do a crossover over several weeks?

 

Some people will tolerate the two differently, some people can't use a liquid at all (very few though).

 

How long have you been taking the new liquid?

[Bee5]

@brassmonkey I did a direct change, because it was effectively a reinstatement (tried to jump to 0 mg but failed). So then I realised I can't cut the tiny pills into 8 pieces (dividing a 25 mg pill into quarters is the smallest my scale can weigh). So they I decided to try liquid. So 2 ml of suspension is 3.125 mg. So just for now, I have upped it to 2.5 ml, and improved my mixing technique (to ensure dispersion and minimise bubbles), and it has been going a bit better. My plan is to stay on this dose for at least a month to see if I am able to tolerate the liquid; your thoughts?

[brassmonkey]

I get it. Yes I would stay at this dose for at least a month to let things stabilize. It may take a bit longer, pay attention to how your body reacts and act accordingly.

[Bee5]

Thanks @brassmonkey. I will hold until I have stabilised. I also received the Pfizer shot this month, but thankfully it seems that it did not topple the apple cart.

[ChessieCat]

Another tip:

 

I almost made a mistake when measuring my dose, thinking that I needed to measure 10mL which I needed 9mL.  What I now do is place an elastic band around the barrel of the syringe just above the dose that I am measuring.

[HopeFloats]

Hello there,

 

I am not sure if I am posting my question in the right section or not but here it goes.

 

I am looking at making a reduction of Prozac.

 

I currently taking .2 mg of Prozac and have held at this amount for 1 year.

 

I take a 10 mg pill and dissolve it in 10 ml of water.  I use a 3 ml syringe, measure out my 2 hash marks and take my dose.

 

So, I am looking to make a reduction of 2.5% or 3% but I have no idea how to do this.

 

Is there anyone who can assist me with the math and what size syringe I will need?  Is it even possible for me to do this or should I use a compounding pharmacy?

 

Thank you,

 

HopeFloats

[ChessieCat]

Here's a topic which has calculators.

 

how-to-calculate-dosages-and-dilutions-spreadsheets-and-calculators

 

I will explain a quick way to calculate your new dose and list a variety of examples.

 

10% = 0.1 - multiply the last dose by 0.9

 

The two decimal figures add up to 1.

 

5% = 0.05 - multiply the last dose by 0.95

3%  - multiply the last dose by 0.97

2.5% - multiply the last dose by 0.975

2%  - multiply the last dose by 0.98

1%  - multiply the last dose by 0.99

 

The final calculation will be the new dose, NOT the amount you deduct from the previous dose.

[ChessieCat]

2 hours ago, HopeFloats said:

I take a 10 mg pill and dissolve it in 10 ml of water. 

 

This give you a ratio of 1:1, 1mL = 1mg.

 

You could put 10mg tablet in 100mL of water.

 

Each 1mL of liquid will equal 0.1mg dose.

 

OR

 

10mL of liquid will equal 1mg dose.

 

This is the search for syringes in the How to Make Liquid topic.

 

One of the members is using a syringe/pipette that you can "dial in" the amount.  See these posts:

 

how-to-make-a-liquid-from-tablets-or-capsules/?do=findComment&comment=531466

 

how-to-make-a-liquid-from-tablets-or-capsules/?do=findComment&comment=526043

 

 

 

[HopeFloats]

On 9/3/2021 at 8:58 PM, ChessieCat said:

 

This give you a ratio of 1:1, 1mL = 1mg.

 

You could put 10mg tablet in 100mL of water.

 

Each 1mL of liquid will equal 0.1mg dose.

 

OR

 

10mL of liquid will equal 1mg dose.

 

This is the search for syringes in the How to Make Liquid topic.

 

One of the members is using a syringe/pipette that you can "dial in" the amount.  See these posts:

 

how-to-make-a-liquid-from-tablets-or-capsules/?do=findComment&comment=531466

 

how-to-make-a-liquid-from-tablets-or-capsules/?do=findComment&comment=526043

 

 

 

Thank you so much ChessieCat.

 

If I do a 2.5% reduction from .2 mg, that is .195 mg.  Maybe I am being dense but I am not sure how to measure that amount on a syringe. Maybe I am missing something.  Any ideas? 

[HopeFloats]

8 minutes ago, HopeFloats said:

Thank you so much ChessieCat.

 

If I do a 2.5% reduction from .2 mg, that is .195 mg.  Maybe I am being dense but I am not sure how to measure that amount on a syringe. Maybe I am missing something.  Any ideas? 

I realize I could try and situate the plunger in the middle of .2 and .19 - just not sure how accurate that would be - but that may be as good as it gets. 

[ChessieCat]

3 hours ago, HopeFloats said:

I realize I could try and situate the plunger in the middle of .2 and .19 - just not sure how accurate that would be - but that may be as good as it gets. 

 

If you cannot measure a small amount accurately you either round up to the next amount or you dilute with more water.

 

During the liquid part of my taper I have added the contents of a 2mg capsule to various amounts of water, depending on what dose I needed to measure, even using 1 litre (1000mL) of water.  These different dilutions made it easy for me to measure the dose as accurately as possible.  Up until now I have not measured any less than 1mL using various sizes of syringes (10mL, 5mL, 3mL, 1mL).  If you know that you will not be using the full litre of liquid you can a smaller amount into a different container and throw out the rest.

 

2mg / 200mL =  0.01mg : 1mL

2mg / 400mL =  0.005mg : 1mL

2mg / 1000mL = 0.002mg : 1mL

 

 

Edited September 5, 2021 by ChessieCat

[Cruizer]

Looking for some advice please. 

I began making my own liquid solution. I am on Zoloft so have 50mg. tablets. Current dose I take is 4.5mg which I was getting compounded into 4 and 0.5mg capsules. 

To start with I made a solution using 50ml of water and the tablet so 1:1 ratio and simply syringe up 0.5ml and then take my 4mg. Capsule also. 

My actual question is around the Ora Plus suspension fluid. I bought some of this and had planned on using half this and half water. However when I put the tablet into a half half solution the tablet did not dissolve at all. In water only it dissolves in like 60 seconds. 

Should I dissolve tablet in 25ml of water first and then add Ora Plus? Does the Ora plus really make that much of a difference or is water ok provided I swish it around prior to syringing my dose? 

Thanks

[ChessieCat]

1 hour ago, Cruizer said:

Looking for some advice please. 

 

Please read Post #1 of the Tips for Tapering Zoloft topic.

 

tips-for-tapering-zoloft-sertraline

 

[Cruizer]

2 hours ago, Cruizer said:

My actual question is around the Ora Plus suspension fluid. I bought some of this and had planned on using half this and half water. However when I put the tablet into a half half solution the tablet did not dissolve at all. In water only it dissolves in like 60 seconds. 

Should I dissolve tablet in 25ml of water first and then add Ora Plus? Does the Ora plus really make that much of a difference or is water ok provided I swish it around prior to syringing my dose? 

Thanks Chessie. I read over this again but it still didn't answer my question above regarding using Oraplus. ?? I reckon @bubbles uses Ora Plus so might be able to shed some light on how she prepares. 

[HopeFloats]

On 9/5/2021 at 3:47 PM, ChessieCat said:

 

2mg / 200mL =  0.01mg : 1mL

2mg / 400mL =  0.005mg : 1mL

2mg / 1000mL = 0.002mg : 1mL

 

 

 

Ok, I just want to make sure I am understanding this correctly.

 

Since I do not have a 2 mg pill of Prozac, can I do the following for my 1st mixture?

1.  Make my normal mixture of 10 ml water + 10 mg Prozac capsule

2.  This gives a 1:1 ratio; 1 ml mixture = 1 mg Prozac

3. Extract 2 ml mixture which is equal to 2 mg of Prozac

4.  Add 2 ml mixture to 398 ml water

5.  This would give me 2 mg Prozac in 400 ml water 

6.  Extract 1 ml from mixture which would equal .005 mg Prozac

 

My 2nd mixture would be:

1.  10 mg pill in 100 ml water

2.  This gives me 1 ml of liquid = .1 mg Prozac

3. Extract 1.9 ml mixture which would be .19 mg Prozac

 

Take both doses, .005 mg + .19 mg = .195 mg Prozac

This would be a 2.5% decrease from my starting dose of .2 mg

 

I am so scared that I am going to end up taking too much or too little which will throw everything off kilter 

 

Does this sound right?

[HopeFloats]

On 9/24/2021 at 12:39 PM, HopeFloats said:

 

Ok, I just want to make sure I am understanding this correctly.

 

Since I do not have a 2 mg pill of Prozac, can I do the following for my 1st mixture?

1.  Make my normal mixture of 10 ml water + 10 mg Prozac capsule

2.  This gives a 1:1 ratio; 1 ml mixture = 1 mg Prozac

3. Extract 2 ml mixture which is equal to 2 mg of Prozac

4.  Add 2 ml mixture to 398 ml water

5.  This would give me 2 mg Prozac in 400 ml water 

6.  Extract 1 ml from mixture which would equal .005 mg Prozac

 

My 2nd mixture would be:

1.  10 mg pill in 100 ml water

2.  This gives me 1 ml of liquid = .1 mg Prozac

3. Extract 1.9 ml mixture which would be .19 mg Prozac

 

Take both doses, .005 mg + .19 mg = .195 mg Prozac

This would be a 2.5% decrease from my starting dose of .2 mg

 

I am so scared that I am going to end up taking too much or too little which will throw everything off kilter 

 

Does this sound right?

Hi @chessiecat 

 

I was wondering if you could check my calculations to make sure I have this down correctly. 
 

Thank you,

HopeFloats

[ChessieCat]

On 9/25/2021 at 5:39 AM, HopeFloats said:

Since I do not have a 2 mg pill of Prozac, can I do the following for my 1st mixture?

1.  Make my normal mixture of 10 ml water + 10 mg Prozac capsule

2.  This gives a 1:1 ratio; 1 ml mixture = 1 mg Prozac

3. Extract 2 ml mixture which is equal to 2 mg of Prozac

4.  Add 2 ml mixture to 398 ml water

5.  This would give me 2 mg Prozac in 400 ml water 

6.  Extract 1 ml from mixture which would equal .005 mg Prozac

 

My 2nd mixture would be:

1.  10 mg pill in 100 ml water

2.  This gives me 1 ml of liquid = .1 mg Prozac

3. Extract 1.9 ml mixture which would be .19 mg Prozac

 

Take both doses, .005 mg + .19 mg = .195 mg Prozac

This would be a 2.5% decrease from my starting dose of .2 mg

 

0.2mg x 0.97 = 0.195mg  CORRECT

 

1st mixture calculations are CORRECT

 

If you are making a dilution where 1mL = 0.005mg then you do not have to make the second mixture.

 

Divide 0.195mg by 0.005mg = 39

(this is to find out what number you need to multiple both sides by, below)

 

So:

 

1mL : 0.005mg

 

Multiply both sides by 39:

 

39mL : 0.195mg

 

So you will take 39mL of the mixture.

 

Please double check my calculations.

[BlackBetty]

Greetings,

 

I made a video to demonstrate how to do this, as visuals can be really helpful, as humans evolved for visual communication.  People may find this helpful. It's based on benzo's but may also apply to non-XR antidepressants.

 

I also made a video on how to weigh and recapsule XR's that others may find helpful as well.

 

MOD NOTE:  This is in the information just below the video on Youtube:  WE NO LONGER SUPPORT USING FULL FAT MILK TO MAKE YOUR LIQUID - it doesn't extract your medication 100%. Updates to the video will be coming.

 

 

Edited November 29, 2021 by ChessieCat
added mod note

[Greenriver]

0.5ml oral syringes (supply problem?)

 

Anyone having trouble sourcing 0.5ml oral syringes? I last bought some online around six months ago and can't find any now.

 

Edited December 1, 2021 by ChessieCat
added topic title before merging with existing topic

[ChessieCat]

5 hours ago, Greenriver said:

0.5ml oral syringes (supply problem?)

 

Anyone having trouble sourcing 0.5ml oral syringes? I last bought some online around six months ago and can't find any now.

 

 

If you are making your own liquid you can double the amount of water and use a 1 mL syringe instead.

 

Vets use very small syringes for animals.  You could contact your local ones and see if they can supply you with one/some.

 

I can see some available on UK eBay but they seem very expensive.

 

The other option would be what hayduke uses:

 

On 5/5/2021 at 5:05 PM, hayduke said:

When I went to pipettes, plenty online:

 

25 ml serological pipette

10 ml pipette

Pipette pumps

 

Adjustable volume pipette (these are the best thing I've found, especially for the tail end of the taper)

 

[BlackBetty]

I've flat out asked pharmacies for oral syringes and have been given them for free, so that may be an option. I put a piece of tape over the numbers to make it last longer.

 

And vet supply places - syringes are syringes. 5ml is 5ml.

 

Pipettes would work too. 

 

 

[Greenriver]

On 12/1/2021 at 9:38 PM, ChessieCat said:

 

If you are making your own liquid you can double the amount of water and use a 1 mL syringe instead.

 

Vets use very small syringes for animals.  You could contact your local ones and see if they can supply you with one/some.

 

I can see some available on UK eBay but they seem very expensive.

 

The other option would be what hayduke uses:

 

 

Cheers. I'm using Prozep liquid. I'll ask a vet.

 

The last ones I got were orange and from America and cost me a small fortune. They also took nearly a month to arrive

[Greenriver]

On 12/2/2021 at 12:06 AM, BlackBetty said:

I've flat out asked pharmacies for oral syringes and have been given them for free, so that may be an option. I put a piece of tape over the numbers to make it last longer.

 

And vet supply places - syringes are syringes. 5ml is 5ml.

 

Pipettes would work too. 

 

 

I used to get my syringes from the local chemist but they don't supply 0.5ml syringes. I'll maybe try other chemists. Some might be willing to order some in.

[BlackBetty]

I've never seen a 0.5ml syringe for meds - the smallest I've seen available is a 1ml. That's cool if you can get it that small! Definitely check with your pharmacy / chemist if they can order for you if they don't have them. Medical supply stores / vets may also have them in bulk. Even if you can get just one until your order comes in, that will help!

 

I'm not comfortable just using water bc of the solubility issue with these medications, so I would scale both the water and PG.

 

Ideally, you can get the size syringe you need! 

[ChessieCat]

8 hours ago, Greenriver said:

I'll ask a vet.

 

I think this will be the easiest, cheapest and faster.

 

Put a good quality tape around the cylinder.  It definitely helps to stop the numbers wearing off.  But don't leave it in liquid too longer and dry the outside after use.

[marie123]

Hello. I have been tapering mirtazapine using a liquid med made by a compound pharmacy. I am able to bring my own pills in so it is always the same brand. I just started a new bottle of the liquid Mirt. I noticed some insomnia the first night taking it. I checked the bottle and noticed the liquid was clear and not pink colored as usual. After calling the pharmacy I find out that they are now using a different suspension due to supply issues. Tonight I have taken it and I have complete insomnia. What can I do, updose if it does not settle? It's confusing to me since they used to the same amount of pills for the compound. I should be getting the same dose. Is this just a reaction to the new suspension? Any answers would be appreciated. Marie.

[ChessieCat]

10 minutes ago, marie123 said:

Is this just a reaction to the new suspension?

 

The new suspension might be being metabolised at a different rate than the old one.  Personally I think it would be best to not make any adjustment at this time and give it at least 1 week and see if things start to settle down.

 

If you still have some of the old one left you could do a cross over which is gentler on your system, but you haven't mentioned you have any so I am assuming that you do not.

 

You will need to try and remain calm so that you don't inadvertently cause insomnia with your worrying.

[hayduke]

2 hours ago, marie123 said:

Hello. I have been tapering mirtazapine using a liquid med made by a compound pharmacy. I am able to bring my own pills in so it is always the same brand. I just started a new bottle of the liquid Mirt. I noticed some insomnia the first night taking it. I checked the bottle and noticed the liquid was clear and not pink colored as usual. After calling the pharmacy I find out that they are now using a different suspension due to supply issues. Tonight I have taken it and I have complete insomnia. What can I do, updose if it does not settle? It's confusing to me since they used to the same amount of pills for the compound. I should be getting the same dose. Is this just a reaction to the new suspension? Any answers would be appreciated. Marie.

 

Every time I changed the dilution ratio of a suspension, it would feel like a cut, even at the same dosage.  Usually settles down in a day or two.  

Edited January 14, 2022 by hayduke

[marie123]

6 hours ago, ChessieCat said:

 

The new suspension might be being metabolised at a different rate than the old one.  Personally I think it would be best to not make any adjustment at this time and give it at least 1 week and see if things start to settle down.

 

If you still have some of the old one left you could do a cross over which is gentler on your system, but you haven't mentioned you have any so I am assuming that you do not.

 

You will need to try and remain calm so that you don't inadvertently cause insomnia with your worrying.

 

[ReddLedd]

Hi All, just a quick question regarding DIY liquid;

 

currently making a liquid with Mirtazapine (normal tablets) using 15mg tab, 7.5ml water and 7.5ml maple syrup. 
basically I measure out the water, crush the tab and put it in. Let it sit for 20mins then gently stir before adding the maple syrup. 
Overnight, I give it a gentle stir before I draw the 1ml up, but I notice there’s still the smallest amount of very fine tablet powder in the liquid. Is it possible that it’s filler or tablet coating, or should I be crushing the tablet up more to ensure it actually dissolves. Trying to stabilise after RI and want to make sure I’m getting a consistent dose to stabilise. Any help appreciated. 

[Nomansland]

Hello @ReddLedd,

 

mirtazapine is only slightly soluble in water. It wont dissolve in water, no matter how fine you crush the powder.

But thats no problem, because you are just making a suspension ("particles hanging in water like a cloud") instead of a solution. The finer you crush the tablet(s), the better your powder is equally distributed in the water/syrup mix. Its very important to shake/stir a suspension well right before measuring your dose.

 

For more information please look at #1 post here in this topic or in the mirtazapine thread:

 

 

Greetings

[ReddLedd]

Thanks @Nomansland appreciate the feedback.