FDA Acetaminophen Medicines

Health and Wellness - General

By: goodselfme 25-Jan-2011

Introduction:

On January 13, 2011 the Food and Drug Administration(FDA)issued an alert to manufacturers of medicines to limit the amount of Acetaminophen in certain prescription drugs. This was done in hopes to limit the risk of liver damage, liver functioning
ailments and deaths by this change. Many OTC drugs contain Tylenol (Acetaminophen) which the FDA will be reviewing for warnings to the public in a bolder announcement on those as well. There are many prescriptions that contain Acetaminophen of which these are the most widely used. Your doctor will order the correct milligrams of pain medicine without you adding more Acetaminophen.

Vicodin

Vicodin ES, Vicodin Hp and plain Vicodin all include Acetaminophen in the chemical composition, Unless your attending physician tells you to, do not add more Tylenol to your medicine routine. Prescription Vicodin when added with ibuprofen becomes Vicoprofen so should not be taken with more ibuprofen unless your health care provider orders you to change the dose by adding addtional medicine.

Percocet

Acetaminophen is part of this prescription drug to achieve pain management and fever control. Percocet referred to as percs, is a narcotic analgesic used to treat moderate to moderately severe pain. With the narcotic in this drug it is recommended not to drive or operate machinery while taking this medicine. Taken over a long period of time it might be habit forming so the prescription should be guarded so no one has access to it that might have an addiction to Percocet. Even though it is easily broken into two parts, it should not be scored , but instead ask your doctor for a lower dose. Do not take additional Tylenol or Acetaminophen containing medicines unless your doctor instructs you to. Look to http://www.pdrhealth.com for side effects and other important info on Percocet.

Lortab

Generic name is Acetaminophen/Hydrocodone. The analgesic combination has been ordered by a health care professional for moderate to moderately severe pain. One of the ingredients in Lortab in this prescription is an opioid which works in the brain to allow the nervous system to relieve pain .This medication should not be taken by anyone who is allergic to codeine or similar related drugs. Many conditions are cited that people with certain conditions should not take this drug. For more information contact your health care provider or the FDA @ http://www.fda.gov

Fioricet

Fioricet is a prescription pain medication specifically given for tension headaches that contains Acetaminophen. The side effects of this medication are drowsiness, upset stomach, confusion, depression, vertigo, lightheadedness, vomiting and stomach pain. Every individual is different so if you have these or other symptoms call your doctor. The makers of this medication recommend taking correct dose with food or milk. Your physician will instruct you to take more Acetaminophen if it is necessary.

Oxycodone Hydrochloride

Acetaminophen(Tylenol)is added to this drug to enhance and give greater pain relief than if each were taken separately. Your prescription will read: 2.5/325, 5/325,7.5/325 or 10/650 telling you the first number with the amount of oxycodone and then a slash showing you the amount of Acetaminophen(Tylenol)in each tablet. Oxycontin is this strong narcotic pain relieving drug. The precice drug mechanism action is not known, however it may involve stimulation of opioid receptors in the brain. Oxycodone does not eliminate pain sensation but increases tolerance to pain. This drug will suppress respiratory rate and cause drowsiness to the point of sedation. Make sure you inform your health care provider if you are taking any other medications since there is a long list of drug interactions your doctor should be aware if you take them while this prescription drug is being ordered. Your present diet should be discussed since absorption of Oxycodone is increased by over 25% with a fatty meal. Side effects are numerous and can be viewed by searching: http://www.aldoctor.org This is similar to hydrocodone with an exception of hydroxyl group with the carbon in the ingredients.

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Comments

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dashboardc33 3/2/2012
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Awesome list! H5!
snowfence 6/30/2011
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Another H5
tracyann 4/3/2011
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Wonderful list as always. H5!
snowfence 2/19/2011
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Great article! H5!
Apalmer001 1/27/2011
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I am one of those people who are suffering liver damage from medications after a work accident. I have to suffer in pain most of the time instead of taking medicines because the damage that has been done or else I can get non-alcoholic cirrohsis of the liver. Thanks for the great article, Roberta.
PajamaMommy 1/26/2011
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Thanks for informing us about these!
gerrielynn 1/26/2011
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Wow, this is a great list Roberta. Great research and I thank you for all the work you obviously put into it. We need to know all we can about taking care of ourselves, and especially the liver. Thanks for the details concerning acetaminophen and the many places it can be hiding. High 5!
ListMaker 1/26/2011
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I worked in a pharmacy years and years ago and don't know a few of the acetaminphen medicines you mentioned. Nice list.
workhomeunion 1/25/2011
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Very nice list of Acetaminophen Medicines. Thanks for sharing. Hi5
penelope7 1/25/2011
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You really know your acetaminophen medicates. Thanks for sharing. H5
hummingbirdee 1/25/2011
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Excellent list and useful for people taking pain medication with Acetaminophen.
tamron 1/25/2011
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Be careful and read reviews for any meds you take from consumers at review sites. Read side effects and make sure its ok to mix with medicines you already take. Remember no matter how great the doctor they still make mistakes.
BonnieDossKnight 1/25/2011
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My pain doctor and I had a chat few months ago and she changed my meds. Also it's valuable to know that one should not drink alcohol when taking pain meds including Tylenol. People living with chronic pain, such a Fibromyalgia like me, must be vigilant and ask questions of their medical professionals. HI5
clewand550 1/25/2011
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Very informative list. Well done. H5 list.
NancyHardin 1/25/2011
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Yes, people need to be more proactive with their health, and question the things they are told to take. The drugs listed above can also be habit-forming, and doctors are sometimes too quick to prescribe pain medication. What the heck happened to "Take an aspirin and call me in the morning?" Too many folks think there's supposed to be no pain in their lives these days. Great list, highfive!
jseven 1/25/2011
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Very important and informative list! Many people have no idea what they are putting into their bodies and I used to be one. High 5!