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Painkiller Ban
A Food and Drug Administration panel voted this week to pull from the market drugs that contain a combination of narcotics and acetaminophen, including Vicodin and Percocet. The concern is it can cause liver damage when taken in too high of a dose. The worry is obviously those who abuse these drugs and take them in too high of dosages. Doctors say the drugs are safe when taken correctly.
So, in other words. they are willing to pull drugs that are very effective for pain treatment because of a fear of abuse from some people. The only problem is, they will then have to come up with another type of painkiller that could be a weaker narcotic, causing unnecessary pain and discomfort, or a stronger one which could increase the risk of addiction.
So, let me get this straight. They want to pull very affective painkillers (which can only be prescribed by doctors) because they're afraid people will abuse them and may wind up replacing them with painkillers that can become addictive. Huh?
This is what frightens me, people. We keep dumbing down our society and treating people as if they can't be trusted just because a few can't. Most of us would take the medication properly but because a few people abuse it, the rest of us would have to suffer.
What would be next? Shall we pull Twinkies off the shelves because some people may eat too much thus causing diabetes, obestity, etc.? How about alcohol? After all, even though most of us know how to drink sensibly and not abuse alcohol or get behind the wheel of a car after drinking and killing someone else, there would be some who would abuse it, so therefore I think we should pull all alcohol.
Where does it stop? Why should the ones who are doing the right thing suffer because there's some who can't seem to do that?
I have taken both of these drugs after surgeries and didn't abuse them. I took them for a week or so until my pain was manageable and that was it. The doctor only prescribed a certain amount, too, usually just a couple of weeks worth. Why can't they just do that? Why not have the doctors limit the amount they gave out?
It is a very affective drug for easing pain. What worries me is if people will have to suffer more now with pain because they're afraid a few may abuse it.
The FDA hasn't made an official decision yet so doctors are still prescribing the drugs. I was given a prescription to fill for my daughter since she will be getting her wisdom teeth pulled at the end of this month. I guess I'd better go ahead and fill it to make sure she'll be able to have it.
This really, really concerns me, folks. What are everyone's thoughts on this?
So, in other words. they are willing to pull drugs that are very effective for pain treatment because of a fear of abuse from some people. The only problem is, they will then have to come up with another type of painkiller that could be a weaker narcotic, causing unnecessary pain and discomfort, or a stronger one which could increase the risk of addiction.
So, let me get this straight. They want to pull very affective painkillers (which can only be prescribed by doctors) because they're afraid people will abuse them and may wind up replacing them with painkillers that can become addictive. Huh?
This is what frightens me, people. We keep dumbing down our society and treating people as if they can't be trusted just because a few can't. Most of us would take the medication properly but because a few people abuse it, the rest of us would have to suffer.
What would be next? Shall we pull Twinkies off the shelves because some people may eat too much thus causing diabetes, obestity, etc.? How about alcohol? After all, even though most of us know how to drink sensibly and not abuse alcohol or get behind the wheel of a car after drinking and killing someone else, there would be some who would abuse it, so therefore I think we should pull all alcohol.
Where does it stop? Why should the ones who are doing the right thing suffer because there's some who can't seem to do that?
I have taken both of these drugs after surgeries and didn't abuse them. I took them for a week or so until my pain was manageable and that was it. The doctor only prescribed a certain amount, too, usually just a couple of weeks worth. Why can't they just do that? Why not have the doctors limit the amount they gave out?
It is a very affective drug for easing pain. What worries me is if people will have to suffer more now with pain because they're afraid a few may abuse it.
The FDA hasn't made an official decision yet so doctors are still prescribing the drugs. I was given a prescription to fill for my daughter since she will be getting her wisdom teeth pulled at the end of this month. I guess I'd better go ahead and fill it to make sure she'll be able to have it.
This really, really concerns me, folks. What are everyone's thoughts on this?
I saw this but didn't read the whole article. It's a crazy world.
I do wish they would make chocolate candy bars and ice cream illegal- then maybe I would do better at dieting.
I do wish they would make chocolate candy bars and ice cream illegal- then maybe I would do better at dieting.
The problem is the leading cause of liver transplants in this country are due to painkiller overdose. This is something that could easily be prevented because most of these people don't know how powerful acetaminophen is and what is does to your liver. It is a fact that taking acetaminophen will increase your liver enzymes. I knew of a patient who gave birth to a child and only days later, was admitted back into the hospital due to liver failure.
The FDA is just encouraging people to take lower doses of acetaminophen and they want to to make the 1,000-milligram dose of acetaminophen available only by prescription, as well as limit the maximum single dose of acetaminophen to 650 milligrams.
I have to support the FDA's recommendations. I actually think that their decision is long overdue.
April you said it all,,these are good effective pain meds when used properly, what next what about prohabition isnt alcohol a big , even bigger problem with cirrohis, drunken driving, bar fights etc...because a few abuse alcohol the many who enjoy a drink,,,,grrrr dont even want to start on cigarettes,,why not ban them too,,,this is scary stuff people,,
Taking lower dosages might be ok. I don't think they should put a whole ban on the medications. Maybe the doctors need to be more careful about monitoring their patients on these drugs? Like I said, they should limit how much they give and only give it in circumstances where it's really needed, like after recovering from surgery.
A quote from Dr. Lewis W. Teperman (director of transplant surgery and vice chairman of surgery at New York University) :
"If you took an entire bottle of Tylenol Extra Strength, three days later you would be in a coma and needing a liver transplant."
"If you took an entire bottle of Tylenol Extra Strength, three days later you would be in a coma and needing a liver transplant."
I don't believe the FDA is trying to ban certain medications....they just want to lower the maximum daily dosage.
I wonder why they could not have the prescriptions made with less acetaminophen ?
or maybe all drug addicts should just die paving the way for all you upstanding citizens.. when you have been molested and raped as a child and do not receive the care you need and turn to drugs to deal.. I guess death is what I deserve.. Glad I read this as I do not think a addict is welcome in this community.. Thank you for taking the time to read from this lowly drug addict.. lesa
Great question. I know the government did a public awareness campaign, but despite their efforts... their studies indicated that people were still (unintentionally) overdosing on these OTC medications and as a result, being diagnosed with liver damage and possibly needing a liver transplant.
Does the same rule apply to advil that has ibebrufen does it do the same liver damage?
No. Ibuprofen doe not contain acetaminophen. I believe that the advised maximum dose for ibouprofen is a daily dosage of 1.200 mg. Of course it depends on the manufacturer... so always read the label. (excluding Tylenol... listen to the FDA and consider their suggestions instead ; ^) )
PlateletGal, it was in my newspaper this morning that they may put a ban on it. Liver damage is usually Cirrhosis due to hepatitis C and the leading cause for liver transplantation which can be from many factors, not just drug abuse or alchohol, from my understanding.
Please, I didn't mean for this to be a bad post. I just thought it was an interesting subject. I did not mean to offend anyone.
Please, I didn't mean for this to be a bad post. I just thought it was an interesting subject. I did not mean to offend anyone.
Hmmmm... I haven't heard of a possible ban. I just heard of the FDA's proposed recommendations.
Here is the latest:
http://www.fda.gov/AdvisoryCommittees/Calendar/ucm143083.htm
Lesa, I'm so, so sorry you were offended. That was not my intention at all. I just sent you a pm. I hope you read it. I feel justl awful. I just happened to see this article in my newspaper and thought it would be an interesting topic but I never meant to offend anyone, honest! I have compassion for all people, especially those who are struggling. I have nothing but admiration for those who are able to overcome such adversities. Please forgive me. I didn't get much sleep last night. Maybe I need to just call it quits today. I never, ever meant to offend anyone. :(
I saw it too they are talking about banning vicodin and percocet. At first there was talk on lowering the recommended dosage.
It is not an idle fear, about 200 people per year die of liver failure caused by overdose. Many more are hospitalized but survive.
The key problem is that many people who take acetaminophen use it too often and in too high a dose. The reason for banning these other drugs like percocet is that too many people mix painkillers without being aware of the consequence.
However, April's points are well taken. Acetaminophen is a very useful drug. It sure helped Swampy when he once had a toothache, about 7 years ago. That was the last time he took it.
The key problem is that many people who take acetaminophen use it too often and in too high a dose. The reason for banning these other drugs like percocet is that too many people mix painkillers without being aware of the consequence.
However, April's points are well taken. Acetaminophen is a very useful drug. It sure helped Swampy when he once had a toothache, about 7 years ago. That was the last time he took it.
So if you have major surgery and need painkillers or even just a terrible root canal and need just one after the procedure so it doesn't escalate, what is the alternative going to be? Will the Vicodan or Percoset ingredients be available separately .... ? Will patients really be better equipped to figure out the dosing of them together ?
I am allergic to codeine ... so not sure what else is out there?
Having not much experience with any pain meds other than for a bit here or there after shoulder surgery and recently for a dental abscess/root canal, I am confused as to what will be available for the public for pain control both short and long-term under the guidance of a physician.
C~
I am allergic to codeine ... so not sure what else is out there?
Having not much experience with any pain meds other than for a bit here or there after shoulder surgery and recently for a dental abscess/root canal, I am confused as to what will be available for the public for pain control both short and long-term under the guidance of a physician.
C~
All of these medications will be available by prescription. Tylenol will still be sold OTC, but they will probably need to change their daily dosage recommendations. As I mentioned earlier, the FDA wants to to make the 1,000-milligram dose of acetaminophen available only by prescription
It really won't make any difference. If people can't buy 500mg acetaminophen they will just take 3 of the 325mg.
O I C .............thanks!
I was thinking 'bout this last night, in that if you take 1,000 mg's every 4 hours (round the clock) then it'll be more than the new recommendation for no greater than 4,000 mg's in 24hrs.
Now, thinking about this one step further --- it'll be interesting to see how this impacts hospitals who make income by dispensing meds. Less meds per day means less income .. hmmmmmm ... same is true for the manufacturers ... so I do wonder if the price of it will increase ?
Something to think about, too., yet we have no control over that do we!
C~
I was thinking 'bout this last night, in that if you take 1,000 mg's every 4 hours (round the clock) then it'll be more than the new recommendation for no greater than 4,000 mg's in 24hrs.
Now, thinking about this one step further --- it'll be interesting to see how this impacts hospitals who make income by dispensing meds. Less meds per day means less income .. hmmmmmm ... same is true for the manufacturers ... so I do wonder if the price of it will increase ?
Something to think about, too., yet we have no control over that do we!
C~
I think what was upsetting me the most was big brother, by that I mean the government, taking over more and more with us and deciding for us what's good for us and not good for us. That's ok to a point but when do we get a say in things?
And again, my apologies towards anyone this offended. I did not mean to offend people who are recovering addicts. I have every utmost respect and admiration for them. It's big brother I have a problem with. They seem to be taking over more and more. Like I said, that's ok to a point but we need to be able to have a say in our health care, etc.
I sure don't want to have to go through another surgery without some good pain meds. Tylenol just isn't going to cut it!
And again, my apologies towards anyone this offended. I did not mean to offend people who are recovering addicts. I have every utmost respect and admiration for them. It's big brother I have a problem with. They seem to be taking over more and more. Like I said, that's ok to a point but we need to be able to have a say in our health care, etc.
I sure don't want to have to go through another surgery without some good pain meds. Tylenol just isn't going to cut it!
I'm not afraid of "big brother". I see it this way: remember that CEO of that peanut company who e-mailed his staff, telling them to distribute peanuts that were contaminated with salmonella ? (link below) That is precisely why the government has to be involved... to a degree.
I think I'm more afraid of companies and their intrusions on people (via internet... tracking cookies, etc.) than our own government is. However, I often like to challenge all of my beliefs by putting myself in the other persons shoes. I do disagree with the government's rules about requiring everyone to wear seatbelts. I don't mind this requirement for children, but not for adults.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/02/11/health/main4792328.shtml?source=RSSattr=HOME_4792328
I lost a dear friend to liver cancer this past year. Thanks to the way doctors have been writing scripts for anything and everything, Liver disease is now one of the top ailments of the world. The live cannot break down these meds. Look at the increase in liver cancer in the last 20 years. My friend was told to not take Tylenol cause it could not be broken down easily by the liver. Think about that! We give that to our kids! Thera flu, myquil and those cold medicines also have it in them.
I personally think if we see a narcotic ban, it will be due to circumstances like Anna Nicole, and MJ. These are extreme circumstances but is a major factor across America. Doctors will be held accountable for dispensing these drugs un necessarily! What say you?
I personally think if we see a narcotic ban, it will be due to circumstances like Anna Nicole, and MJ. These are extreme circumstances but is a major factor across America. Doctors will be held accountable for dispensing these drugs un necessarily! What say you?
for any who are concerned about not having a pain relief thats equal or as effective as vicodin or percocet, ther are other options. It is not well known as vicodin , but nearly the same is vicoprophen, (ibuproben instead of acetamophien)
as far as the famous celeberties, it is rumored that they were using IV drugs ( yes even prescription pain meds, just shot up) thats a whole different level of addiction just in my opinion, 200 people die per year from this and its tragic,,,how many people die per year from smoking cigarettes, do you see what I mean? How many die from alcohol related deaths?
as far as the famous celeberties, it is rumored that they were using IV drugs ( yes even prescription pain meds, just shot up) thats a whole different level of addiction just in my opinion, 200 people die per year from this and its tragic,,,how many people die per year from smoking cigarettes, do you see what I mean? How many die from alcohol related deaths?
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