Keeping Talc out of Abscesses.

[pharmboy]

I have a friend who wants to IM some dillies he has and some other
pills like that. He doesn't want any abscesses. He had heard that the
talc in the pills was one reason shooting pills causes abscesses.
He has access to a centrifuge, if he spun the talc down to the bottom
of the test tube after he got the pill in solution and drew off just the
top would that help? Any body got any other ideas other than impecable
sterility and cleanliness? Inquiring minds want to know. Thanks

[Synack]

Bad idea - but I'm pretty sure talc is insoluble in water and ethanol whereas the hydromorphone is soluble in either substance. I doubt something similar to a liquid extraction would remove enough talc for IM'ing a pill to be at a safe enough level to help avoid an abscess...

Why not just IV it? Less risk for an abscess...

I'd speak with DF on this - he has some stories on this exact thing...

[Shotalotofdopeamus]

IM using a substance not meant specifically for it is just a bad idea. There is a lot of stuff that dissolves and reeks havoc once it gets in your body. If you can get a filter wheel make a few one way passes on the smallest filter size available and then IV. I have never had access to a centrifuge before so I have no clue as to how it will work. Interesting idea though. Im pretty sure a filter wheel would work just as good and take less time. Here, send me a few dillys, ill borrow a centrifuge from a buddy and get back to you :D

[RxQueen]

the problem with talc is that some is water soluble, but some isn't. so the talc could very well still end up in your shot, even with a centrifuge and/or the best particle filter.

if someone has D's but refuses to IV them, i will continue to advise that plugging them is the next best option. IMing (or skin-popping) any pill matter is not anything i'd do on purpose. i know that some have done it without issue, but why take the (very real) risk of abscess? just IV them, or plug 'em!

[CSiiSEQ]

If you've got an ultra c-fuge you could spin it out, a normal one won't pull it out. You definitely CANNOT filter pharm-grade talc out of solution.

[Hammilton]

Well I guess it depends on the size of the talc and the capabilities of your filter.

If you have access to a really good centrifuge, letting it spin for 10 minutes or more should be enough to toss it out. I dunno, though. This is definitely an important topic and is going to remain one for a long time. It's just not something that's easily solved.

[Azrael]

wheel filter. I would never dare do pills IM without a wheel filter. Even then, IV=less risk of abscess.

[Azrael]

RxQueen has the right idea. Make sure especially if you are using Generic D's that the shot is totally clear not cloudy. let a cloudy solution sit and the particles will precipitate.