August 30, 2008 - 9:51pm
Why do we not see more doctors perscribing the Hydro/Ibu? I have been perscribed hydro/apap for a few years not due to chronic pain. I have been to various doctors and never has one mentioned the ibuprofen combo. Is there a problem with this medication that I have not heard about? Is it not as strong as the APAP? I would love to hear what you guys have to say if you have info on this topic.
August 31, 2008 - 2:56pm
#2
It is prescribed for chronic
It is prescribed for chronic neck pain due to a car accident. I have been prescribed Lortab along with 20mg oxy ER once a day. I was curious why you never hear many patients prescribed the hydro/Ibu combo. I asked my doc about it the other day and he did not have much to say about it. He gave me a 15 day script to try it and see if it worked better than the hydro/apap mix. It is not any different in relief except i dont get that nasty rebound headache i get when the lortab pill wears off.
August 31, 2008 - 3:27pm
#3
I have never seen a MD
I have never seen a MD prescribe vicoprofen(hydro/ibu) although i have seen two different dentists prescribe it for short term pain after dental procedures. I have also seen dentists prescribe hydro/apap although i havnt seen any Md prescribe the hydro/ibu so in my experience for some reason dentists take a likeing to it more than internal medicine docs do.
September 5, 2008 - 9:48pm
#4
To my knowledge, being an
To my knowledge, being an RN, APAP, which is plain old tylenol, potentiates the action of the hydrocodone. Which means that it gives it a little boost. They work together to give you better pain relief. Some people cant take tylenol, such as people with liver disease. So then they would take the hydro / oxy with ibu instead. It just works in a different way. Tylenol helps block the pain where as ibuprofen decreases inflamation. (which is why dentists prefer the ibu to the tylenol, unless you have a lot of bleeding) If you have liver dz and lets say an ulcer, you are outta luck, but you could take straight oxy or hydro instead. But if you are taking oxycodone or hydrocodone with apap, it wont hurt you if you also take an ibuprofen with it. aahhhhhhh relief, lol.
You are being prescribed this not for pain? Or you are being prescribed this for pain you dont actually have? Or is it being used off label for some condition that would warrant the use of an opiate?
Back to your main question, APAP is much safer to take for extended periods of time. The Hydro/IBU combos are only indicated for short term use, which usually means 7-10 days. This doesnt mean that doctors cant prescribe it for long term use, just means there are safer alternatives.
If you are being prescribed the Hydro off label for something GI related like diareaha {sp?} or IBS then I could see where a doctor wouldnt even think about adding possible stomach upset from the IBU.