Tylonol with codeine

[Motownguy]

Hi.
My wife just got back from Canada and bought some pills that are like Vivodene. They are Tyonol with codeine. Acetaminophen 300mg, caffine 15mg and codeine 8mg. Isn't that dose of codeine higher thatn what is a Vicodene ES of 7.5?
Thank you..

[lolo41]

Hi Motownguy,

your wife purchased a very watered-down version of tylenol with codeine which IS legally sold without a script in Canada, but why? A standard Tylenol#3 has 30 mg of codeine and NO caffeine.  the caffeine is added as an adjunct to headache pain and to prevent abuse by narcotic addicts. To ingest enough codeine to have an effect for a narcotic addict, you basically have to ingest about 20 cups of coffee at the same time- it will definitely make you jittery and panicky before it makes you high. Furthermore, codeine is not the active ingredient in Vicodin. The active ingredient in Vicodin is hydrocodone and a standard Vicodin contains 5 mg. And you have to specifically ask the pharmacist for  this tylenol/codeine/caffeine combo, it is not out on the shelves, even in Canada. I'd ask your wife just why she decided to purchase it? Good luck.

[Motownguy]

No, my wife did not have a script for them because you can buy them in Canada without one. She has hip bursitis and our Dr has her on Vicodene here in Michigan. She just thought that it would help her. I just saw the 8mg of codeine and compared it the Vicodeine ES that has 7.5 mg of codeine and thought it would be the same thing, just courious on how they can sell that without a RX. Thank you to all that answeared, I appreciate it very much.

[Lucky0617]

Helloi Peekawho, I live in Alberta Canada. The medication you're referring to is commonly called Tylenol 1 here, or a generic Tylenol 1 is also available. My understanding of the dose is that it's about 1/3 the strength of Tylenol 3. It can be bought over the counter here in Alberta, although ALL pharmacies do keep track of who buys it, what quantity & how often, and share the information with each other. In BC & the Yukon it's sold OTC with no records kept. The people I've known who have taken it used it for minor injuries or in cases where they were prescribed Tylenol 3 but found those to be to strong. I've never known anyone to just buy it to have on hand like with regular Tylenol or Advil. It's always been because of a specific immediate reason, why Motown Guy's wife would buy it seems odd unless she had an injury while away. It's also not a medication that drugstores advertise or put on sale. I first heard about it from my doctor, then a cousin with a broken ankle & foot mentioned it. Hope this provided you with some info you needed/wanted. Take Care Eh?

[peekawho]

I believe (someone correct me if I'm wrong) that in Canada, you can buy weak formulations with codeine over the counter.  

Codeine is not the same as the narcotic ingredient in Vicodin.  8 mg of codeine is a rather weak dose, anyway.  

[mellie4]

Did your wife have a script for them?  Does she take that medication or equivalent here?  Why did she buy them?  Does she have a pain condition that she neeeds them for or what was the purpose of buying them.  You've left a lot of questions unanswered.  

I'm sure if you provide a little more information you'll get some answers.