December 18, 2005 - 9:52pm
#2
Hydrocodone and APAP
The hydrocodone and acetaminophen combo is an effective pain med when used as prescribed. The two ingredients compliment each other and provide more pain relief than each component.
If taken as prescribed for short-term acute pain (dental problems, surgery, accidents etc.), opioid dependency is not a problem.
But everyone needs to be very careful about total acetaminophen intake since too much can cause serious liver damage.
Acetaminophen is available over the counter in many pain, allergy, sleep, cold and flu meds to name a few. Often we are not aware of how much acetaminophen is ingested.
Graphic from the US Food and Drug Administration.
To be safe, you should take no more than 4,000 mg acetaminophen per day. If you drink alcoholic beverages, you shouldn't ingest more than 2,000 mg acetaminophen per day.
The
New York Times published an interesting article by DEBORAH FRANKLIN on
November 29, 2005. You can read the reprint (with link to the original article) at truthout.org.
I'm not a pharmacist or a medical
doctor. This message is not medical advice nor is it an offer to
provide medical advice. All drug identifications should be validated by
a licensed MD or pharmacist.
February 3, 2006 - 5:12pm
#3
my two cents
hMMM, Is this new? To me, the 7.5 is a 750 mg tablet (wayy too much tylenol)
If you can, adam would suggest getting "doc" to switch to lorcet 10, and if necessary cut off one quarter. The pill has 660 mg of actem. with 10 mgs of the hydrocodone. So, three quarters of one, will cut down your tylenol, and that's a good thing.
Or, go to norco;s with 10 mgs hydro, and only 325 tylenol. Yes, most docs won't want to perscribe this. So, you have to learn how to control these NON-pain med givin' folks.
It's an artform, belive me, I should now.
February 13, 2006 - 1:56am
#4
the REAL expert.
Adamtheexpert.
Not to be offensive but I am starting to question your expertise from the comment above and several in the past.
Hydorocodone/APAP combonations come in the following strengths
2.5/500 Lortab 2.5
5/325 Norco 5 and other brand names
5/400 Zydone, etc.
5/500 tablet and capsule Vicodin, Lortab 5, Hydorcet, etc.
7.5/325 Norco 7.5, etc.
5/400 Zydone, etc.
7.5/500 Lortab 7.5, etc.
7.5/650 Lorcet 7.5, etc.
7.5/750 Vicodin ES, etc.
10/300 Xodol
10/352 Norco 10, etc.
10/400 Zydone, etc.
10/500 Lortab 10, etc.
10/650 Lorcet Plus, etc.
10/660 Vicodin HP, etc.
10/750 Maxidone? etc.
and several compounded 15/80mg versions
It seems as if you have your brands/strengths mixed up. These are the strengths that are currently available for prescription in the US.
I've found as long as you are honest with the Physician and tell them that a particular pain med is not working efficiently, it is usually the doctor who offers a stronger med. Also expresing concern about too much consumption if Acetominophen with pain meds that are high in their APAP quantity, the physician will usually have no problem putting you on a med that is stronger but with less Tylenol. At least this works for me. Honesty is the best policy. Just don't act like they have to give it to you, remind them it is their choice but the benefits for you outweigh the risks. But there are always those doctors who think everyone is out to score narcotics and if they give any narc script its for like 6-8 vicodin or T3, or at the worst, Tramadol
February 13, 2006 - 2:24am
#5
I take this medication and
I take this medication and it is a semi-synthetic narcotic that will help with pain for 4-6 hours. The 7.5 means that it has 7.5 mg of Hydrocodone, and the 500 means 500 mg. of acetaminaphen.(Tylenol) The drug you describe is the generic equivalent of Vicodin or Lortabs.
Hydrocodone and acetaminophen are both analgesics (pain
relievers). Hydrocodone is an opioid and at this strength it is
used to relieve moderate to severe pain. It is commonly
prescribed for post-surgery pain relief. Prolonged use of any
opioid can result in opioid dependence (addiction).