2. I’m a user and I’m seeing a doctor at a pain clinic. Why can’t I chew some opioid tablets even though I think it makes the treatment more effective?

Some tablets are meant to release the medication over 12 and sometimes 24 hours. This is called extended-release medication and the goal is to provide long-lasting relief. Chewing or breaking the tablet can change how long the medication is effective for. You will not be relieved for the full length of time.

Extended-release tablets also contain more medication. They are designed to release the medication gradually over 12 or 24 hours. Breaking the tablet can release the medication all at once and increase the risk of respiratory depression and other serious side effects.