FDA panel to vote on painkiller restrictions

It's about time that this very dangerous drug will be regulated. Many people do NOT know how risky it is to take acetaminophen. However, any regulation of acetaminophen will probably make it more difficult to get prescription pain meds for those who actually need them and use them as prescribed -- almost all contain acetaminophen. Reducing "drug abuse" is almost always the underlying goal of any FDA action, though it's rarely the stated reason. Hopefully this action will only reduce the amount of acetaminophen allowed in prescription pain meds, not the availability of the pain meds.

I myself require prescription pain meds to function and am much more fearful of the acetaminophen they contain than the opioid part of the drug. I also fear any FDA action that makes opioid drugs more difficult to obtain, as they are truly necessary for some of us to live a meaningful life rather than a miserable life.

According to at least one report, 93 percent of people who take prescription pain meds for chronic pain DO NOT become addicted, but it's only the 7 percent you hear about, the few who develop an addiction and those who abuse such drugs, taking them for reasons other than pain. I resent such people but worse yet, I resent the government for demonizing these drugs. All FDA employees and other government regulators should be forced to endure a few years of constant intense pain before they make any sort of regulation concerning pain control.

This is just the tip of the iceberg of government regulation in healthcare. What the FDA needs for regulation is setting of a standard in over-the-counter drugs -- NO compounding of drugs in a single medication over-the-counter. That is the only solution plus labeling the meds and educating the public. As a healthcare professional, we teach patients to read labels and remind them that 4 GMS of tylenol is the maximum dose in 24 hours because of the potential for liver damage. We also educate patients to use moderation by minimizing dosages. All drugs whether over the counter or prescribed have many side effects that have significant NEGATIVE impact on the human body. The drugs Cialis and Viagra can cause sudden and irreversible blindness. The statins can cause severe kidney damage, smooth muscle damage. The answer is know what you are taking and why. don't accept a 'pat' answer from any healthcare professional or insurer. QUESTION,QUESTION,QUESTION!!!!

Dosage control should be between doctor and patient. NOT doctor - government beaucrat - patient. Government needs to stay OUT OF OUR FACE. Hear that CONGRESS, PRES, and government AGENCIES.

mabtle i agree that they need to quit making drug "cocktails" for flus, colds etc. it's risky! they should take the tylenol out of prescription strength vicoden and the like as well. it's just a filler!

Sorry, but it's not "jut a filler". It is a known analgesic that works alone or in combination to relieve pain quite successfully. The problem lies with people who intentionally abuse these medications. I work in an Emergency Department, and we have our "frequent fliers" who come in specifically for Vicodin and Percocet so that they can either abuse it or sell it. If there is no acetaminophen in these items, the abusers and sellers then have "pure product". Bad decision to separate the two from a professional's opinion.

Curious blond: the COMBINATION is what works! "take the Tylenol" won't work! It makes the pain pill USELESS.

I have severe abdominal pain about 3-4 times per year if I forget and eat too many raw vegetables or other "trigger" foods. Once I've done that the ONLY thing that will TOUCH the pain is Tylenol, either with Codeine or in the form of Vicodin.

I have no idea what I will do if the medicine is banned. I guess keep taking Tylenol or ibuprofen until the pain is killed....but isn't that more dangerous than the prescription?? I would not be able to just tough it out; I tried once. Went green, literally, and could not eat a thing while projectile "vomit" for 3+ days. Not a pretty picture.....

Stop taking your opiods suddenly, we'll see if you're addicted.

Seriously, acetaminophen is not the problem. Taking the medications as directed will prevent problems. It is only when people develop a tolerance and decide that 'more is better' that problems develop.

Oh wow! This is hitting me right where it hurts ... literally! I have chronic back pain and abdominal pain related to a pancreatic cyst. I have been taking hydrocodone (generic Vicodin) for years! I also wear a Fentanyl patch, 100 mGm. And I'm still here. There are some alternative prescription painkillers, but I am allergic to many of them or they haven't proved effective for my pain control. So I just watch how much Vicodin I take in a 24-hr. period. If I do need an OTC dose of Tylenol for fever, I figure it into how much Vicodin I take. And I do my best not to exceed the recommended amount of how much Tylenol to ingest in a 24-hr. period.

Hmmm, just had a haunting thought ... while I was hospitalized for two weeks with pneumonia and MRSA infection (I came home just last Friday), the doc had ordered two Vicodin every six hours and also gave me Tylenol as needed for fever, which I had most of the time I was hospitalized. And, I remember telling them to give me my migraine medication (Fiorinal) in the form with aspirin rather than Tylenol in its makeup. Hmm, talk about overdosing me on Tylenol! Even the docs don't pay close enough attention to how they prescribe its use!

Bottom line is, based on what I have learned, I totally agree that the routine dosage of Tylenol is high for what our livers can stand. But to take Vicodin and its generic away from us is too much! I will have problems getting pain relief because of my allergies. And about all that is left for me that will work are things like Oxycodone and Oxycontin, both big no-no's! What are they going to do for us who are in pain???

Using Tylenol is a concern, especially since an overdose can occur at any time .. whenever the liver says enough is enough, out you go! It is usually a sudden thing, with little to no warning that the liver is being/has been damaged or attacked in any way.

In retrospect, I knew a young man who went out drinking and when he got home, he took Tylenol to ward off his impending hangover. Never woke up the next morning, -- he was dead ...

So I have seen firsthand dangerous acetominophen (generic for Tylenol) can be if taken incorrectly or in the wrong dosage. I believe that the manufacturers should just lower the dosage of acetominophen in all products (OTC and prescribed), but not actually remove Vicodin or even Tylenol from the market. Definitely "black box" all items that contain Tylenol! Lower the dosage of Tylenol in our Vicodin, but don't take away such a useful narcotic drug that so many depend on for pain control!

I most definitely agree that the people trying to ban Vicodin should walk just a day or two in our shoes and experience life with chronic pain. They would be right here opposing the change!

Bottom line is this ... for us that suffer with chronic pain day after day, what will we be able to use if they do remove Vicodin from the market? We can't live in pain. That isn't life! In fact, it isn't even "existing" as far as I'm concerned! I don't really feel there is an alternative ...

JMHO

I believe the acetominophen shold be taken out of all over the counter combination medicins but it should be allowed to remain as a perscription medicine with stronger warnings on and in package and a required oral warning from the both prescribing Dr. and the pharmacy.

I personaly avoid taking Tylenol whenever possible because by itself it does not work for me as a pain killer. I do sometimes have to take it in a combination over the counter product because I can't find an equivelent product without it and on the rare occasions I need a perscription pain killer one containing it is what is perscribed.

I have suffered since 2000 July with a broken back (5 fused discs & hardware still in my back) Plus from the surgery to try to repair the damage. I take percocet daily, responsibly, and also try each day to get by with less than I am prescribed. I DO Not abuse my perscription... So If you have a problem with Tylenol or it's generics then remove it from my medication and just give me the narcotic that controls the pain. But don't ban it! Some of us need the relief from pain just to get through the day.

I am currently still doing physical construction only because it pays the bills. I would love to get a lighter job as my doctors recommend, But it just won't pay the bills that my EX left me with. (ie, $20,000. in lawyers fees +++) So as much as I would like to, It is not possible at this time. And the only way I get through the day is with my medication.

So leave us alone, And quit trying to put more control, Government, and someone elses opinion in my life, or face. Enough is Enough!

I am sick and tired of someone other than me and my doctor deciding what I need. Get out of my life! Government fools with NO knowledge that think they know what is best for us!

Sorry as an educated person and a member of the medical profession if someone v=can not read instructions or listen to their doctor.pharmacist/nurse then that is their problem and those that legitimately need these medications should not be penalized. People eat sugar and gain weight and become diabetic does that mean that we should ban sugar? People drink and drive and then kill themselves and/or others should we bring back prohibition? People need to be responsible for themselves. I am so tired of this "ME" phenomenon that is taking over. Grow up, become educated (even if it is only from cruising the web or reading newspapers), and be responsible for yourself!

Many of the pain killers mentioned are the only things that keep my mother in moderate pain instead of severe pain. When taken properly they are OK. Those that would abuse drugs will abuse them no matter what. When these meds are moderated, many people will take more than recommended just to get some relief from severe pain.

I think this is a bad decision. Watch someone you love in pain and see if yo feel the same way.

as a veteran with military service connected injuries and debilitating chronic pain, I am quite concerned.  this problem seems to have arisen mostly b/c kids with no supervision steal out of their parents medicine cabinet, go out, get stupid and then they OD. i do not think ishould have to worry about whether my pain will be managed. start holding parents who do not secure their medications properly responsible for their own negligence and leave those of us who correctly use our medications as prescribed ALONE!!

I agree with Shar in Tx, everything in moderation. I am also living with chronic pain and I'm concerned with the FDA wanting to pull prescription meds off the market. Anyone filling a prescription is advised by the doctor and the pharmacist of the dangers and side effects of their Rx, especially if not taken as prescribed. It is not a matter of accident when people damage their liver or overdose...it is a matter of knowingly choosing to take more than prescribed...in fact, between doctors and pharmacies monitoring how often your Rx is filled, it is an effort. The FDA is proposing (with prescribed meds, anyway) to regulate people's poor decisions. I for one am tired of laws and statutes that make it difficult for most of us to manage our own lives because a few people have poor self control.

idiots!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! why does eveyrone else have to suffer because a few idiots cant read a label and properly take meds!!!!!!!!! this is just another big govt scam stupid stupid stupid

I need the medicine because of a stroke, now they want to take it away.. That's BS...What am I going to use now? heroin? Crack?

I don't believe in accidental overdose. If you get yuor hands on a prescription, you know exactly how to use it.

Come on, it's 2009, who doens' know that you shuoldn't take more Vicodin than recommended. When you do it, it's at your own risk. Med bottles come clearly marked. Websites such as MDConsult or WebMD are always avaible for questions. Geez, walk into a free clinic or calling a 24 medical advice hotline if you have a question.

Taking these medications off the market won't solve the problem. What will happen is that patients who actually need and know how to use the meds wil become victims of the other thoughtless idiots out there. Just like it happened with Vioxx and Bextra.

Physicians should monitor their patients closely when giving these meds. Count th pills with them. Don't let them get away with silly excuses like " Oops, I dropped them in the sink" or " My friend stole them from my purse" or even " I forgot them in the hotel last weekend and they lost them" If they use these weak excuses, they cut them off at least until the legit refill is due.

Don't punish goof patients b/s of other idiots games with their lives. There are people out there that depend of these meds to keep them going everyday: Mother who was a victim of a hit and run and fractured her back or pelvis and has to depend on pain meds to keep working to support her family.. There are enough stories out there to make stone cry.

Use better control, but don't take it away.

I may be the minority here but I cant help myself. This really chaps my hind-parts. This just takes us one step closer to socialism. Why dont we just give total control of every single decision we could make over to the government right now and cut to the chase?

If I refuse to read the directions on ANYTHING or I choose to take more than the specified amount then thats on me. Its MY fault and I have to live with those consequences. That doesnt mean the government or any of its agencies needs to take medicines like this away from those of us that CAN and DO follow directions. Its not like tylenol, vicoden or what have you are killing people following directions, is it? No one ever knocked over a liquor store to get money to score some tylenol did they? Arent there bigger drugs to worry about? tylenol? Really? And not because it DOES kill you but because it COULD kill you if you decide to repeatedly take too much.... interesting.

Whats next? Too much cholesterol could kill you so lets regulate eggs, milk, butter and cheese. Next you'll have to fill out a form, and get eggs from the egg dispensery so that the government can make sure you dont eat too many and hurt yourself. Its just as lame.

Regulate acetaminophen all you want. People will just switch to aspirin or ibuprofen and, since they werent given an option, naturally they'll think none of those other drugs work as well so they'll take even MORE of those. Aspirin carries more than a few dangers as well, so too does ibuprofen. Does that mean we take those away as well? Ok, then people start drinking more to ease their discomfort. So we regulate alcohol, is that the answer? Fine, prohibition worked so well before why not revisit it? Before too long people that would have simply taken too many tylenol will find themselves trying to score blackmarket oxy's.

Let people make their own decisions regarding their body and what they put into it. Thats part of what made this country so great - the ability to choose to be an idiot if you want to be. I defended that right for 17 years while I was in the military and at every turn I have to stand here and watch our simple basic right to make personal decisions get more and more infringed upon.

you are right on!!! great comment and exactly right, i don't think you're the minority.

I completely agree. some chimp doesn't have basic math skills so they have to throw another wrench in the healthcare machine. I lost both legs in Iraq, I take Oxycontin. In my state there are (3) agencies that "oversee" pain-killer prescriptions, frequency, dosage etc. So my doctor is only able to give me the BARE minimum, so I run short, or out, and have to drink alcohol to the point of passing out, until the agencies decide that I have used enough of my prescription, to warrant a re-fill. Some jack-ass(s) sell their pills, so I must suffer. I call it the Gym-class principal, one screwed up, so we all pay.

I completely agree with you - as a migraine sufferer who cannot take Triptans or anything else for that matter, I am always treated like a drug addict when I ask for Tylenol #3 for my migraines. On the same hand doctors can never offer me an alternative. Cannot take anything stronger - if a doctor offers me something stronger like Percocet or Ultram, I don't want to take it since Tylenol #3 is sufficient for my pain. The problem of getting addicted to narcotic painkillers is completely overrated in this country (as seen with MJ) and blamed on everything, even though a lot of professionals aready found out, that it is just a very small number of people who regularly take it who get addicted when they use their meds as perscribed (not talking about people who use it as an recreational drug). People who use it as prescribed and are really suffering from pain have to face the consequences for this media hype. Now they are starting with OTC meds? It is everyone's own responsibility to make sure they take the recommended dose and make sure it doesn't interfere with other meds. You cannot regulate self-responsibility.

What a futile proposal. If 1000mg pills will be only available through prescription, what prevents me to just take five 200mg pills? You can still overdose, you just have to swallow a bit more.

Exactly TheGlobalView - and that's about exactly what I do when my pain is severe. Tylenol is about the only thing I can take. Docs don't want to prescribe the "heavy stuff" because if they do, they have extra paperwork they have to fill out and they become a target of audits if they have too many patients on heavy-duty pain meds.

Geebus.

It's absolutely terrible that painkiller laws have to be made with consideration for people who might abuse them instead of for people who are in great pain and really need the pain medication.

And another thing. Some people have little to no pain tolerance, other people have high pain tolerance. Every person is different and should be treated as such.

I agree also, TheGlobalView.  I think they have it right, though, where they should take it out of cold meds.  You know, I've noticed that if I have congestion, and NO PAIN, I have to take a cold med that has tylenol in it.  That's IF I don't want to go the counter and sign my name for something stronger.  I don't think that tylenol needs to be every single cold/flu med out there.  Its not necessary. But to have my Fiorcet changed to remove the tylenol product may alter the way it works for me.  When I get a migraine, where am I if the Fiorcet doesn't work??? 

People with chronic pain of whatever type know how to use their meds.  I don't see the need to change anything about my Fiorcet.  Leave it alone.  I have enough problems!

Many of us with real and valid chronic pain issues do NOT abuse drugs nor are we addicted to them. We take them only because we need them. I personally wish that opioid pain meds would contain less acetaminophen because they'd be safer. But if this is an attempt to further regulate the use of prescription pain meds, as it likely will turn out, then the government needs to lay off. It is just WRONG to know drugs exist that would control one's pain, yet not have access to them.

I likely would not be able to write this message, were it not for prescription pain meds. I also could not do my laundry, grocery shopping, errands, pet care, personal care, etc. I would need a care-taker for myself and my pets, and I would frequently be bed-ridden. When taking such drugs, I'm completely functional. I'm using some fairly high-dose opioid pain meds at this moment. Do I seem to be a drug addict or incoherent? I think not. Yet I must fight for every refill.

I hate reading that a war hero, a person who lost both legs in Iraq, has as much trouble getting prescription pain meds as I do. This is a ridiculous situation. Worse yet, it's usually easier for veterans to get pain meds than for others, so others with chronic pain in that state probably have even more trouble than the veteran. But I advise that you do not drink yourself silly when you're out of pain meds. The acetaminophen in the pain meds causes worse problems when alchohol is added to the mix, and drinking itself causes problems. But I know it's hard to control pain when you have no access to pain meds and life can be pretty miserable without them.

Amen, if people cannot read labels and follow directions then they are responsible for what happens, not the government or anyone else. I do not feel sorry for stupid people.

I know shartexas - that makes me so angry to hear that. Pain management is SUPPOSED to be one of the primary things doctors and hospitals use to help their patients. I work at a home care agency and we have all been taught that pain is the 6th vital sign that we are supposed to assess. Pain Management is crucial to treating our patients and keeping them comfortable.

As you said, those who are in PAIN do NOT become addicted. The danger does come from those who no longer need the pain relief but continue to take the medication anyway for the narcotic effects. However, this is fairly rare when you stop and consider the sheer numbers of those who are prescribed these pain killers.

I am also a chronic pain patient due to failed back surgery syndrome from having one too many surgeries to correct disc problems. I agree with shartexas, and think it's a crime that our war hero can't get enough meds to last the whole month.

We learn to miss doses, split pills and hoard the meds because they mean the difference between "quality of life" or lying in bed in agony for days at a time. If our Dr goes to a conference, or on vacation, there isn't anywhere for us to go where we aren't treated like pushers.

My first line of treatment is ibuprofen, and if that doesn't take the edge off the pain, then I take half of a muscle relaxer and wait another 30-45 minutes. Pain meds are the last resort because they make me tired

A black box warning should be fine for Tylenol. Put the black box all the way around the hospital's that were pushing it for years as the "safest", most effective analgesic. What a crock!

This is all bull@!$%#! If people overdose, then what the hell can we do about it? They are dumb enough to use that much Tylenol, then let them, it's not the world's problem, it's theirs. So why restrict something that is needed by many many many people!? Don't they know people will just get stronger stuff, isn't that a bit more dangerous?

I also go to ibuprofen as well...i was having neck pain because of an "Accident" and i was on those, but then i got onto vicodin. Same now, i've been having severe jaw pain, so i was lucky enough to get a script for vicodins. But not for long....they are gonna f**k everything up! Tylenol is the least of people's worries....this is just silly to put restrictions on it! Tylenol is something people need to take for pain, because many can't get real pain meds. Or they don't want to take them....

so what now if your allergic to NSAIDS?Do you get the full narcotic, can't work or should i say cannot find an employer to hire you, and on disability, just for treatment of pain?

A warning is located on the packaging that warns about taking with alcohol or other medicines that contain acetaminophen. The FDA even told them what to write!

One of these days you very well may be in need of a pain killer, I wouldn't condemn them too much. You are consuming man-made chemicals each and every day!

I agree. Seattle, not every person who needs pain medication does so because they haven't taken care of their health. Not every medical problem has a preventable cause or a complete fix, leaving people to cope with less than perfect health and comfort. Should they just try to suck it up, or do you think they should be allowed to seek to live painfree? Be grateful for your own good health--and not so quick to think less of people who aren't as lucky as you.

I'm a nurse with 24 years experience and the mother of a child with a condition (rheumatoid arthritis) that causes chronic, daily pain.

Some people are very fortunate in that they have never experienced extreme pain.

Once you do, your attitude about pain meds changes overnight. I am a very healthy person, lots of exercise, low bodyfat, no drinking, smoking, etc., but I did have a very painful medical issue right out of the blue, an issue that anyone could have suddenly. I would have literally gone insane if it had not been for prescription pain meds.

Scores of people die each year of acetaminophen overdose, yet this drug continues to be widely available. I have always wondered why about 200 drug concoctions are allowed to contain this drug, sometimes in very high doses. But I worry that this sudden desire to regulate it is just a ruse to prevent people from getting prescription pain meds, most of which contain acetaminophen. If it's truly a gesture to save lives, it's commendable. But if it's just a new version of the "War on Drugs," it's awful. Anybody can develop chronic pain. All it takes is an accident, car wreck, or common disease process. While you may not need prescription pain meds now, you should "never say never." I myself thought I would never take prescription pain meds, but now I must use them daily. And there but for the grace of God goes you.

I hope you suffer from chronic pain for a couple of years and get to revisit your "take you vegetables" nonsense. If we didn't have modern medicine the average lifespan would be cut in half. Do you believe any hippie B.S. that is fed to you?

A lot of people are right on in pointing out that Tylenol and NSAIDS can be more harmful than opiates if taken daily. The ignorance that is spread in the media is ridiculous. I hope the FDA is not making it harder for people to access pain meds that actually work. However, aking Tylenol out of Percocet and Vicodin makes sense. Many people who are in that much pain get no relief from the Tylenol, it simply taxes their liver. If you want to take Tylenol along with another pain med, just take two pills.

You have never been in real pain or lived with someone who is, have you?

Seattle sanctimonious,

Well, the way this country is going, you might just get your way. One day, when you develop end stage cancer due to your favorite veggie farmer using massive doses of diazinon in order to save his crop, the doctor will look at you and say "eat more veggies and fruits."

I want to be there when that happens. I want to see the WTF look fade accross your face as you lay writhing in excruciating pain like my grandmother was when she was dying.

Some of you people have lived too comfortable for too long. I don't know whether to be envious or disgusted.

Wow, Seattle, I know eating my veggies SHOULD have protected me again chronic severe pain from Shingles, but somehow, that just didn't work. I use non-pharmaceutical methods (a TENS unit, relaxation, cold/hot packs) as well as vicodin. I'd be happy to do without the acetaminophen in the meds, since it doesn't really help at all, but your glib assumption that good health is merely a matter of choice is shallow at best.

Let me ask you.....just what fruits and/or vegetables SHOULD I be eating to get rid of the migraines that have plagued me for over 30 years? Because if that's all it takes, I'll be the first in line.

I exercise, I eat the right things, do not drink, do not smoke and am generally very healthy, but when a storm rolls in and the barometric pressure changes, a migraine is likely on the horizon. So, please, tell me and I'll go to the farmer's market tonight and stock up.

Not to get off the subject of the Tylenol problem ... but just had to make comment on what you said, CA Mom -- Eat your fruit and veggies every day? Oh, ok ... my aunt and uncle (both deceased, G-d rest their souls) owned a million-dollar farm producing various fruits and veggies that they packaged and sold to big companies. Both of them died from cancer (colon and brain, respectively) which was probably the cause of their cancers! So how are we sure we aren't being poisoned by what we eat? Just a thought off the tip of my tongue/mind ...

JMHO

The jab against pharmaceutical companies is not true! The FDA requires safety data on ANY drug that is on the market. And this drug has been around for over half a century! If it was not safe (IN THE RECOMMEDED DOSAGES), the FDA would not allow its use in medicinal products. How many drugs have been around for half a century and been pulled off shelves because they are not safe? I can think of ONE!

It is true that the full safety of a product cannot be known until it is realsed to the general public. There is NO WAY you can design a safety study that would account for EVERY situation the public comes up with. THat is why the pharmaceutical companies AND the FDA collect and review the safety data of drugs so they can pull it off the market if the safety in the general public does not align with the data collected during a drug's development period. If the pharmaceutical companies still submitted drug applications to the FDA in paper, it would take several semis just to transport the safety data of one drug!

And most (can't speak for all) of the pharmaceutical companies care very deeply for the customer. Maybe they have not manages costs very well in the past, but today's environment will make them slim down or go out of business.

People keep yelling for faster drug approvals for new drugs, but do you want to sacrifice safety and effectiveness for it? NO. Then you would have the same problem with regulated drugs that you have with street drugs and supplements, not safe and/or effective! And it costs billions (and several years!) to collect all the informaion the FDA requires to support the safety and effectives of today's drugs. And it doesn't go to line someone's pocket!!

I had a C-section with both of my children. What did they give me in the hospital for pain both times? Percocet. I have another surgery next month. So what are they going to give for the pain now, a morphine drip? Exercising and eating fruits and veggies is fine, but a carrot stick won't do a damn thing when you're ripped open for surgery.

Seattle - How wounderful for you to have so much control of your body and enviorment! In all my 68 years I have never met anyone that could be that focused, do you drink your urine as Gahndi did? Do you grow all the food you eat? You need to offer your infinate wisdom in book form, I'm sure it would be a best seller over night!

Unfortunately some people do have real medical problems that cause them into be in pain but cannot afford to go to the doctors to be treated for their underlying problem therfore resort to medicating themselves with over the counter drugs, as far as excersizing, it is a good idea if you are physically able to but if you indeed have a medical problem that causes your pain you are unable to excersize you idiot!! You can barely get out of BED!!

You seem very proud of your profession "Seattle Architect", you also sound like you think you are more intelligent than most people, but after reading many replies to your comment I hope you now see that just because you are an "Architect" you are not of superior intelligence. You have just been lucky to not have experienced what real pain is, because if you had you would then realize what makes people appreciate what having good health means. Don't take your good health for granted be thankful for not having to deal with physical pain and don't look down on those that do, we are not less intelligent people.

I suffered a horrific industrial accident four years ago that landed me in a burn ward for over three months. I needed hard-core narcotics to keep me from shrieking in unrelenting pain. Yet even then, the bandage changes could put me through the roof. The suggestion that a few carrots are a good substitute for people in need is nothing short of moronic.

I understand that Seattle Architect is not advocating doing away with the hard core meds; but does he honestly believe that there is no middle ground, need-wise, between carrots and morphine? If so, I pray that Architect never discovers just how wrong he is.

The vicodin class of pain relievers are safe and effective when used with care. Yank it, and what shall we turn to instead? Ibuprofen tares me up and fail to cut the pain, and stepping up to pure narcotics appeals not at all. Vicodin works.

It may make sense to ban acetaminophen from most OTC's when 56,000 people inadvertently OD. But why remove it from prescription drugs issued under a Doctor care? Eat your vegetables, but have a heart for those in pain.

RGValley Girl - For the record, it was not my suggestion that the eating of fruits and veggies every day is the answer to all pain management. It was Seattle Architect who offered that opinion.

My question was, exactly which fruits and vegetables he/she could suggest that would take my chronic migraine headaches away so that I could go out and get them.

For me, one of the few things that work when I have a migraine is Vicodin ES. Take that away, and I'm stuck with aspirin. Might as well eat M&Ms.

Talk about ticking time bombs .. they are for sure that!

JMHO

i cannot believe i am actually AGREEING with a doctor, but on this one i have to say BINGO!

You don't agree they should not be compounded? What is the big deal with just prescribing two different meds, and then combining them at home? You can't stop abusers. So why not save their livers?

Over the counter, same thing. Why not compound at home? If one is smart enough to open one bottle and pop one pill, induction implies one could open two bottles and pop two pills.

dm-548550: For me, it has nothing to do with how smart I am or with taking one pill versus two. My issue is, why should I HAVE to take two pills requiring two prescriptions (or even one prescription and one OTC) when one pill is sufficient and doesn't require twice the cost?

If people are intent upon taking acetaminophen, they're going to take it regardless of what the recommended dosage is. If the compounded drug (ie: vicodin 7.5/500) has too much acetaminophen in it, DON'T TAKE IT! It's that simple. No one is forcing these pills down your throat. Don't make the people who suffer chronic, or even occasional, pain suffer even more because of the stupidity of those who can't read the directions and make an intelligent choice.

dm-548550,

Do you not pay enough for the medicine you take? If we didn't have combination drugs, you would pay double, triple, or even more to get the relief you need when you need it! You wouldn't just be paying for the pill, but the manufacturing, packaging, transportion and promotion costs of the second drug. Compare that with putting alittle more active ingredient into a pill you are already making!

And some drugs work better when combined than when they are alone. Excedrin wouldn't be Excedrine if they didn't allow acetaminophen and acffeine to be put together. (I think it makes the acetminophen work better or faster)

I do believe that combined drugs should also be available separately for when we don't need or want the other ingredients.

What a mindless post. Do you actually make a connection between this and the President? You just have to be sarcastic, because no one could possibly be that stupid.

I agree Ken, welcome to Socalism Teddy :)

No Ted, he is actually that stupid...

Why do you give your kids, whom I assume are <5-6 years old, cold meds? Hasn't their doctor told you they aren't safe enough, and haven't been proven to be effective? Let's hope you don't bring your kids to a mid-level provider who doesn't read the medical literature. Puzzling. Perhaps TV advertizing is just too seductive.

Don't give your child adult cold medication, in any dose. It was pulled because studies showed it didn't help young children at the low, safe dose. Don't play games with your child's health. It's frustrating when they are sick -- I've been there. But that's no excuse for giving them a medicine that could be dangerous for a cold that is temporary.

I remember being sick as a kid and getting the grape flavor stuff. I cannot recall if it worked, I seem to remember still being sick, but I did enjoy the grape flavor and that seemed to make me feel better. The placebo affect would work for the child, but not for the parent...

I just got over the novel flu. Nyquil is nice when you are sick, but I can't reason why the starting dose is the maximum dose... 1000 mg seems to much considering.

Giving children or even babies OTC children't cold and flu medications that are a mixture of various drugs is extremely dangerous! Treating a person for something they don't have is useless and dangerous. No fever? Then why give Tylenol? No cough? Why give cough medication?

I always pray that when my grandkids get sick that my daughters don't dose them with that stuff. Even if it seems like a quick fix to get them to daycare for the day so mom and dad can work. (See, even mom's worries aren't over just because the kids are grown and on their own!)

JMHO

Doctors will have to prescribe alternatives that don't contain Tylenol (either contain NSAID or better yet, just the primary painkiller).

And people who can't afford doctors can just use heroin. It will be the only alternative left...

"Voice of Reason"; um, the effective ingredients in the pain medicines ARE the NSAID and acetometophen. There ARE no "alternatives".......at all.

Miskaffon ... the effective ingredient in pain medicines is not the NSAID or acetominophen .. it is the narcotic. The acetiminophen in narcotic pain meds is merely a "helper drug", an adjuvent, if you will ...

JMHO

Did they REALLY give them money or were they FINED and REQUIRED to give it to them? In all the years I have worked with the FDA, I don't believe they are allowed to take money from pharmaceutical companies ( that would be a bribe!)

Watch the Plavix intake.  My dad was taking it for high blood pressure and it caused bleeding in his colon.

What the pain meds need is larger print on the box or on the paper that is usually inside the box.  You won't read what you can't see.

It will be just like Alka-Seltzer Plus cold medicine.  The drug that made it work well was taken out because it was also used in diet pills and girls were overdosing on them to get thin.  A substitute drug was put in and it doesn't work for my colds at all.

What's next?  Because obesity is considered a big problem in this country, is the government going to give us coupons for our DAILY food allotment so that we don't overeat?

I'd take the narcotic and become an addict then sue the doc and get rich,

leave the country and don't pay anyone.....I bet there's better stuff out there for your pain

It has been proven that if a person takes pain meds (narcotics) as directed and not abuse the dosage or frequency, he/she will not become an addict. An addict craves the drug. A person taking it for chronic pain relief takes it to relieve the pain. There is a difference.

Over time, if the drug is withdrawn, there can be withdrawal symptoms, but once they are relieved, the need for the drug is gone. Whereas, with an addict, if the drug is available even after being withdrawn from it, they usually begin to crave it and go back to their old addictive habit.

Big difference ...

JMHO

You're naive to believe that as long as someone takes medication as prescribed he/she will not get addicted. There are LOTS of people who take prescription narcotics as directed and end up getting addicted to them anyway. I can't believe the FDA is considering altering Tylenol ingredients, yet there are Oxycontin junkies robbing people and spreading hepatitis though needles b/c of their addiction to REAL pain pills. I mean...really????

Mol, there is a difference in being addicted & dependent. I have been suffering from Complex Regional Pain Syndrome for the past 5 years. I am on a duragesic patch, antidepresants & Vicoden (when my pain flares up), all of which I depend on to live as much of a "normal" life as possible. An addict needs the high a narcotic delivers. I rely on the relief they provide.

Decided to check for more activity on this article, and saw what Mol wrote and saw the reply by you, digar26 ...

digar26, you are so right and thanks for defending my answer. I am answering not from just what I have read, but what I learned from nursing books, articles, etc., plus information from a pain clinic. Thanks...

JMHO

check out USA Today...goverment to start checking out treatments, guess Doctors aren't going to be required to go to college next.

Who needs doctors when you have the DEA and FDA?

The FDA is actually GOOD for the country. Do you want to go back to the time when peddlers trying to make a buck selling snake oil and liver pills?

The FDA does a thorough reveiw of a drugs safety and effectivness before it goes on the market.

What do the 37 people on the panel know more that million of people and doctors?

They are starting though to try to play "parent" for everyone when stuff likes this goes on. I'm sure they are getting tremendous pressure to please their political overseers to prevent us "stupid" people from hurting ourselves. (Sounds like some other agencies I know, too.) The FDA is NOT the problem, they are the TOOL that people use to fullfil their agendas.

THe FDA also regulates more than drugs. They regulate food manufacturing (would you like mice, bugs, poisons in you food?), medical devices like heart implants and medicated bandaids, medical reasearch, animal feeds and drugs, blood and tissues, vaccines, and even the makeup women wear. Do we really want to be without them?

Without the FDA, no one would be required to pull bad items off the shelves (or never get there in the first place) and we would still be eating poision tomatoes and battling polio.

Hey! steroid shots work really well..I get them every 6 month for my pain..

No more ibuprophin or tylenol....I love those shots.....3 every week every 6 month, paid for by insurance

Have you read up on the cumulative effect of the steroids on your body? There is always a negative side to medication, regardless of what it is or what great relief it provides....

JMHO

I totally agree with mary793387. My husband has had both knees totally replaced and percocet was appropriate (and needed) after each operation. He is not going to be taking it for the rest of his life. I would suggest that the FDA panel members go through something similar (or have to nurse someone who has gone through a major operation) before they vote on things that effect others. Anything can be abused, but not everyone does it.

About 30 years ago the pharmacy laws were enacted as part of the war on drugs. They've caused a lot more work for the pharmacists and doctors and delays in getting refills for routine medications taken by innocent people who need them, yet the police just arrested a houseful of drug dealers down the street from us. So much for the Government's role in keeping us safe. This is like being in 3rd grade again when the teacher punished the whole class (99% of which was innocent) for the misdeeds of a few students.

Probably for the anti-inflammatory effect that acetominophen has.

That's a great question. It's dumb to add acetaminophen, people should just take it seperately. The FDA is doing the right thing if they don't restrict access to painkillers in general.

Acetaminophen is a delivery agent to the chemicals that need to do their job can. There isn't another 'drug' that can do this without causing severe abdominal problems.

The government in this case should not be telling people how they need to get rid of there cold, headache or any other ache or pain.

This is completely ridiculous and absurd.

For the record, Acetaminophen has no anti-inflammatory effects.

Acetaminophen is a mild pain killer (aches and pain from colds/flu, working out too hard, headaches) and also helps reduce fever.

It doesn't work on all kinds of pain. Sometimes it is combined with narcotics to provide two types of pain relief since no one drug works on every kind of pain.

It is used in cold/flu medicines to help reduce fever (if present) with the aches and pains just being sick usually causes.

VoiceOfReason-559, I agree that they should make medicines that don't have acetaminophen in it for those who don't want to take it, but do you really want to spend MORE money on medicines when you have the flu and need to get rid of your fever or the deep bone ache?