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Getting off Vicodin

We don't call it Vicodin in Canada but it's the same stuff and available over the counter. I've been using it for about 2 years and average about 30 per day @ 8mg Codeine, 125mg acetaminophen. Concerned about liver damage  and want to stop but not cold turkey. Anybody else been able to wean themselves off?
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Avatar universal
Thanks. Funny about Australia because one of the pharmacists that I get this stuff from is South African and he was surprised when I first asked for it because he said most Canadians don't know about it. Nevertheless most drug stores carry it, at least here in Toronto, and, as I said, it can be purchased over the counter.
I know there are withdrawals because when I drank I would drink my way through it. But I haven't had a drink in almost two years and don't want to go that route. It was tough enough with the booze. I can't really imagine CT without it. That's why I'd like to wean myself.
Helpful - 1
1 Comments
You don't want to drink alcohol while taking Tylenol.
Tylenol 3 (acetaminophen w/ Codeine) is prescribed when dentist pull a tooth in the USA. You need a prescription for it.
Go to rehab.
20621916 tn?1502140720
JBP...That's not Vicodin !  Vicodin is a semi-synthetic opioid (hydrocodone) with acetaminophen (acetaminophen).
I think you are taking something called "Tylenol 3" which is Codeine and Tylenol.  Codeine makes most people "itchy"
The FDA has been lowering and lowering the safe dosage of acetaminophen over the years since you wrote.
Johnson & Johnson (J&J)-McNeil Division makes Tylenol and had been fighting the FDA for a warning label for 30 years about liver damage.  It was finally put on the bottle in 2009.
You take 125mg x 30 = 3750mg of Tylenol.
I just found this: The FDA set the safe 24-hour dose limit of acetaminophen at 4,000 mg per adult, but some doctors say that it should be capped at 3,250 per day.
They've lowered the Tylenol in my pills down from 500mg to 300mg.  A 500mg Tylenol was extra strength pill and a 325mg was a regular strength. So 300mg is even lower.
Go to a rehab clinic or cut back one pill per week to avoid withdrawal symptoms.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
The codeine 8 mg, acetaminophen 500 mg available over the counter in Canada is NOT Vicodin. It's Tylenol 1s.
Helpful - 0
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rymajebra...So what do you need to get Vicodin in Canada ?  Go see a doctor and get a prescription ?  The US has gone crazy and is practically trying to BAN Vicodin.  You'll have all the old people committing suicide or getting liver damage by taking too much Tylenol.  This, all because SOME people are abusing the pills. People are already buying Fentanyl pills on the street from the Drug Cartel in Mexico and are overdosing.  They are mixing it with Cocaine and people are dying.  That's what Prince (the singer) died of. It was a counterfeit pill that looked like a Vicodin. he was suffering from back pain.  Here's a man that didn't even drink alcohol.
Avatar universal
8 Mg of Codeine is only equivalent to one quarter of a Tylenol 3.
The ingredient in Vicodin is called hydrocodone which is about 10 times as potent as Codeine and is definitely not sold over the counter,,   (anywhere)  
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
hi where not aloud to give tapers on the forum but if you choose to do this go slow and drop only a small amount every few days thats about all I can say without this post getting pulled it takes discipline to do it and your still going to go threw withdrawals not as harsh as C/T  but a more drawn out minor achy discomfort so you got to decide witch is better 4 days of hell or 2 mo of feeling like hell both ways will get you there its just a mater of ehat you choose good luck and God bless.......Gnarly  
Helpful - 0
2107676 tn?1388973859
Yeah I think it is one of Canada's best kept secrets and I am sooo glad I didn't know about it before although it would have saved alot of money.  It does sound like it's very hard on the liver so hopefully you can get off of it quickly.  You will probably have alot of issues with sleep as there is a sedative effect with it from what I have read.
Check out the Thomas Recipe on the bottom right of this page and treat it like withdrawing from any other opiate.  Melatonin is supposed to be very good for sleep.  Good luck and please keep posting and let us know how you are doing.
Helpful - 0
2030769 tn?1343647674
I can't believe something like vicodin can be bought otc!  Is the US the only country that requires a prescription for it? Anyways.... I am sure there are many who have been sucessful with tapering off the opiates & will respond to your post.  I personally had to just quit cold turkey because of lack of self control with it and it just seemed like I was dragging out the w/ds. Which ever path you take, just keep posting & sharing.  The support on this website has really helped me.  Good Luck!!!
Helpful - 0
1 Comments
I just looked up Tylenol 3 and found: Tylenol 3 contains 30mg of codeine phosphate and 300mg of acetaminophen. The Canadian version also contains 15mg caffeine which is not present in the American version. Both Canadian and American versions also have traces of sulfites. In its generic form, Tylenol 3 has acetaminophen hydrocodone which is a imitation of codeine. This means that the generic version may respond in a different way compared to the original hence it is important to read the indications and instructions on the package before use.
jpb0912...said his contains 8mg of Codeine.  What you're taking seems to be "Tylenol 1"
2107676 tn?1388973859
Hey again,
Type mersyndol into the search bar on this forum and there are lots of posts and people who have been addicted to it.  It seems to have been quite a problem in Australia as you can buy it over the counter there as well.
Helpful - 0
2107676 tn?1388973859
I haven't heard of that and it's probably a good thing for me or I would have tried it.  I used the other stuff in a pinch and never felt anything from it.
If it's as strong as vicodin then you will definitely have withdrawals.  Hopefully someone will come on who is familiar with it and give you good advice.  Also read the other posts about vicodin withdrawals.  It really helps.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I actually use stuff called Mersyndol. It doesn't have the caffeine.
To the best of my knowledge this stuff is identical in composition to Vicodin at least with respect to the acetaminophen and codeine - I'm reading from the bottle as I write this - 8 mg Codeine 325 mg acetaminophen (mistakenly recorded as 125 in my original post).
Thanks for you reply. I am going to try and post every day with respect to tapering off. Might force me to be more honest than I am with myself.
Helpful - 0
1 Comments
325mg (a regular strength Tylenol) x 30 = 9750mg !  That's way too much Tylenol.  You have to cut back or go to a rehab clinic.  That is way too much Tylenol !
2107676 tn?1388973859
Hey I also live in Canada and wonder if you are talking about the Tylenol 1.  I think it has .08mg. of codeine and .08mg of caffeine.  I don't think it's anywhere near as potent as vicodin.  
Regardless you definitely need to be conerned about taking that many.
I don't think it will be hard to wean off of those.  Just cut back and keep on cutting back.  Good luck and let us know how it goes.
Helpful - 0
2 Comments
Pat, I don't know if HE has a pysch. problem or has constant pain. I have a pain problem and they want to just cut off my Vicodin. I take just enough so I can function.  I'm not addicted because I volunteered for a trial study at a hospital and they wanted me to stop taking the Vicodin, which I did.  Sometimes there are problems with getting my script and have gone days without the pain pills. It's the PAIN that bothers me, not any withdrawal symptoms.
I had a "criminology" course in college and we had a foreign professor.  He told us that opium products were legal in his country and there were no addiction problems. He said there was a "myth" that one has to keep increasing the dose to get the same feeling.  It's not true.  He said that there were old men taking the same amount for 40 years. The only side effect was constipation.  The alarmist now are acting like a Werewolf bit you when you take one pill and you are instantly addicted. I can't understand how if you have a tooth pulled and the dentist gives you 12 pills for pain for the next 3 days...and you think you're addicted ? There are no more pills !  Unless you go out afterwards and obtain them illegally and get yourself addicted.
345032 tn?1313514231
Welcome...I've never been able to ween off the pills, I don't have the willpower...lol !!  I've had luck in just doing it CT.  You're absolutely right in being concerned with liver damage, also kidney damage from the acetaminophen.  The great thing about the human and particularly those organs, they are very resilient and can heal themselves to some extent once we stop introducing the poison.  You'll also find here that there are many kind and caring people willing to help you through this.  Keep posting and ask any questions or concerns you may have...Dave
Helpful - 0
1 Comments
It's never wise to go Cold Turkey.  You could have convulsions or other side effects.  Best to speak to your doctor and go to a rehab clinic.
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