Portable container for disposing of a medicated oral dosage form

[0017]The apertures located on the container are placed such that fluid may enter the interior portion of the container as needed to properly dispose of the medicated oral dosage form. Their exact positioning is not critical as long as they are able to facilitate fluid entry from the exterior of the container into the interior of the container where the liquid may then dispose of the medicated dosage form. The apertures may be placed on the top or bottom of the container, or they may be placed along the sidewall of the container, or a combination of these. In any event, the apertures must be placed so that fluid, such as water, may enter the container through the apertures, dispose of the medicated oral dosage form, and then be drained from the container. It is also important to keep the apertures of a suitable dimension such that a proper amount of fluid may enter and exit the apertures while the medicated oral dosage form is being dissolved, yet small enough so that access to the medicated oral dosage form is prevented.

These opioids ease most of these patients' pain, but opioid levels cannot safely be raised to account for the phenomenon of “breakthrough pain.” U.S. Pat. No. 4,671,953 discloses a method for treating such breakthrough pain by administering a medicated oral dosage form, containing a strong drug such as fentanyl, in a dose-to-effect manner to such patients.

Upon reaching this level of relief, some of the dosage may still be unused.

Rinsing it under water will dissolve the remaining dosage, but this technique takes time and concentration.

This may create potential hazards if the dosage form is discovered and used improperly by those for whom the medication is not prescribed.