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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 18 of 18. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by flmm on July 2, 2005, at 1:08:09
Does anyone know if long term use of 2 vicoden per day is that bad? Had back surgery and am able to limit my use to this now to get thru work day. Strength is 5/500 tylenol mix.
Posted by crazyteresa on July 2, 2005, at 1:08:09
In reply to vicoden long term, posted by flmm on July 1, 2005, at 9:54:26
My pain md told me it's a lot harder to get off it once you've take it about a year.
Posted by ed_uk on July 2, 2005, at 1:08:09
In reply to vicoden long term, posted by flmm on July 1, 2005, at 9:54:26
Hi,
Never abuse it.........and you'll be fine :-)
~Ed
Posted by ben on July 2, 2005, at 1:08:09
In reply to vicoden long term, posted by flmm on July 1, 2005, at 9:54:26
> Does anyone know if long term use of 2 vicoden per day is that bad? Had back surgery and am able to limit my use to this now to get thru work day. Strength is 5/500 tylenol mix.
sorry about that - but in my opinion vicoden is rubish for long term reason! and the codeine isnt been transformed to morphine by everyone -or at least not sufficient! have you ever tried metamizol (Novalgin) that is a good pain killer with some spasmolytic effects - could be a good alternative. Naproxen (Aeleve/Apranax) is possible second option, but in this case you have been watchfull about your stomach!
best regardsben
Posted by mworkman on July 2, 2005, at 1:08:09
In reply to Re: vicoden long term, posted by ben on July 1, 2005, at 11:59:35
taking tylenol daily will probably destroy your liver.
Posted by ed_uk on July 2, 2005, at 1:08:09
In reply to Re: vicoden long term, posted by mworkman on July 1, 2005, at 13:23:53
Hi,
>taking tylenol daily will probably destroy your liver.
It won't :-) Tylenol only causes liver damage in overdose. It doesn't cause liver damage at appropriate therapeutic doses, however long you take it for.
Kind regards
~Ed
Posted by flmm on July 2, 2005, at 1:08:10
In reply to Re: vicoden long term » mworkman, posted by ed_uk on July 1, 2005, at 16:13:41
I hope you are right ed uk. I only take 2 a day and am always confused by misinformation! Where do you get yours? Any other input is appreaciated!
Posted by flmm on July 2, 2005, at 1:08:10
In reply to Re: vicoden long term, posted by flmm on July 1, 2005, at 16:53:30
p.s. I have been taking this amount 11 months.
Posted by ed_uk on July 2, 2005, at 1:08:10
In reply to Re: vicoden long term, posted by flmm on July 1, 2005, at 16:53:30
Hi,
You take 1g/day? That's a very safe dose. At appropriate therapeutic doses, Tylenol only causes liver damage in people with risk factors eg. severe malnutrition, alcoholics.
>.....am always confused by misinformation!
Everyone knows that Tylenol is very dangerous in overdose.........People often assume that long term use of therapeutic doses causes similar damage - it doesn't. The liver doesn't have any problem dealing with small therapeutic doses.
Most medical authorities recommend long term use of Tylenol as a first line treatment for chronic pain.
Kind regards
~Ed
Posted by ed_uk on July 2, 2005, at 1:08:10
In reply to Re: vicoden long term, posted by flmm on July 1, 2005, at 16:55:42
>I have been taking this amount 11 months.
That's fine. You can take Tylenol 1g/day for 30 years if you need to.
~Ed
Posted by flmm on July 2, 2005, at 1:08:10
In reply to Re: vicoden long term » flmm, posted by ed_uk on July 1, 2005, at 17:45:54
Thanx for your response! I feel better now!
Posted by ed_uk on July 2, 2005, at 1:08:10
In reply to Re: vicoden long term, posted by flmm on July 1, 2005, at 18:14:46
Hi flmm,
How well is your pain controlled on 2 Vicodin pills a day?
~Ed
Posted by flmm on July 2, 2005, at 1:08:10
In reply to Re: vicoden long term » flmm, posted by ed_uk on July 1, 2005, at 18:41:41
Not great, but I am afraid to take more. It helps me thru the morning, which is the worst, then I get thru the day. I have read all kinds of scary talk about acetaminaphin. But I guess it is like anything else, too much can hurt ya............
Posted by Phillipa on July 2, 2005, at 1:08:10
In reply to Re: vicoden long term, posted by flmm on July 1, 2005, at 21:15:40
Tried experimenting with the leftover vicodin from my facial surgery. Was hoping an opiod[it is one isn't it] would perk me up. I took one a day of the 5/500. Nothing. Does this mean an opiod is not a mood elevator for me? And tylenol is very safe in normal doses. It's Rx'd for babies. ASA is not. Ryes Syndrome. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by ed_uk on July 2, 2005, at 6:45:45
In reply to Re: vicoden long term, posted by flmm on July 1, 2005, at 21:15:40
Hello!
At recommended doses, acetaminophen is one of the safest drugs in existence! Provided that you don't have risk factors for acetaminophen-induced liver damage (see below), up to 4g/24 hours is perfectly acceptable. Never take more than 1g at once. Leave at least 4 hours between doses.
Usual dose 0.5-1g every 4 to 6 hours. Max. 4g/day.
Rish factors for acetaminophen-induced liver damage........
Severe malnutrition/anorexia, high alcohol intake, treatment with enzyme-inducing drugs such as Tegretol, Dilantin, rifampin, HIV/AIDS infection.
Kind regards
~Ed
PS. If you can't get anymore Vicodin, take Tylenol.
Posted by TerraJo on July 2, 2005, at 21:24:44
In reply to Acetaminophen » flmm, posted by ed_uk on July 2, 2005, at 6:45:45
i couldn't stand how i felt on the vicodin, but nothing else would touch the pain either. i needed a benzo which i had prescribed for "as needed" to help come off the vicodin. that was only for a couple months.
Posted by ben on July 5, 2005, at 0:16:56
In reply to vicodin, posted by TerraJo on July 2, 2005, at 21:24:44
I thougt Reye`s syndrome affects only children under about 12 years?! ASA could be a good pain killer but in your case probably only in high doses (2-4 g/d) and that is mostly too much for your stomach, at least by long term use.
Why do you want to stick with paracetamol if it doesnt give you a good pain relief? I mentioned two alternatives in my first mail, but nobody talked about it.
Codein isnt a analgesic per se ! And there is often some missinformation in literature by calling it a coanalgesic drug. This isnt really tru - the longer time goes one the longer we know that is - under evidence based methods - a missmatch.
Codeine can work for pain, but then you have to take bigger doses of it - a lot more than 20 mg. You have to know that the biotransformation into morphine is very poor and for some people not possible - at least to reach sufficient plasma levels of morphine.best regards
Ben
Posted by ed_uk on July 8, 2005, at 14:30:02
In reply to Re: flmm and ed_uk, posted by ben on July 5, 2005, at 0:16:56
Hi Ben :-)
>I thougt Reye`s syndrome affects only children under about 12 years?!
Under 16.....ish.
>Codeine
Vicodin doesn't contain codeine, it contains hydrocodone.....at least it does in the US.
Personally, I think paracetamol and an opioid are best given as separate tablets - so the dose of each can be adjusted as required.
>You have to know that the biotransformation into morphine is very poor and for some people not possible - at least to reach sufficient plasma levels of morphine.
Very true. Codeine is vasty overprescribed IMO. Morphine is a more useful analgesic.
Kind regards
~Ed
This is the end of the thread.
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