FDA panel recommends banning Vicodin, Percocet; says maximum do...

Government experts called for sweeping safety restrictions Tuesday on the most widely used painkiller, including reducing the maximum dose of Tylenol and eliminating prescription drugs such as Vicodin and Percocet.

[Homer Simspson]

Ok, so I will just take more pills. What is the point in lowering doses when there are still 30 or 60 pills? Big Brother is watching.

[Bobbie]

Yes. So we have to take more, Then we have to BUY more!
Damn now it's more money out of my pocket.

[Rosie]

More nanny state crap. Have these experts ever heard of "tolerance"? Some folks need more to get the desired effect. Like Homer said, take more pills. It never ends....

[Robert Reece]

Here's an idea. How about people reading the labels that recommend the max dosage. If you take too much, or with something else. THAT'S YOUR FAULT!!! We don't need the nanny government making more regulations. For the love of Pete, people! Take some responsibility for your own actions!!!

(Then again, maybe the overdoses will weed out the idiots)

[Capt Scott Calhoun EMT]

Tylenol is commonly used as a means of suicide. It's effects on the liver (and Kidneys) is well documented, and consequently a handy choice for an "OTC" method of self harm. In this one U.S. county alone (Lake, IL), hundreds of people a year use acetaminophen to their lives. No wonder there are tens of thousands of liver failures per anum. Lowering the maximum dose of this chemical will not prevent many of these reported Liver Failure Events. What it will do is decrease the liability of the companies that produce and market this drug. Adding a black box warning after the fact does not serve those who head it. It protects the drug companies against those who don't. Go ahead and find another OTC to use in your failed attempt at avoiding life. Wake up from a Tylenol OD now, and you and your lawyer are up the creek.

[Manbearpig]

I'm glad the so-called "experts" decided how much I need. I can't wait until they start sending officers door to door to enforce these absolutely ridiculous rules. Welcome to the nanny state as rosie said.

[A Typical Wackjob liberal]

Thank you Government for telling us how many Tylonel to take. Im very happy that you are always so smart and do the best for the people. Im glad you have control of our lives. You are the best masters I have ever had.

[Romas]

I have refused to take tylenol (acetminophen) for years because I felt it was not a safe medicine. The stronger painkillers like Vicodin should be closely regulated and controlled just like morphine is. No one needs these powerful painkillers. No one needs most of the prescription drugs that they are taking. There are too many powerful narcotics and toxic chemicals being ingested by people because the big pharma is trying to make money. Time for everyone to reduce their ingestion of these medicines and try some old fashioned excercise and healthy foods. And if it hurts a bit, suck it up.

[Cold Comfort-Cold Turkey]

As a long term Hydrocodone (Vicodin) user, I was deeply disturbed by the recommendation to ban it. In have used it for 30+ years, the legacy of a severe foot injury (I have a bleeding disorder which prevents me from using NSAIDs or COX-2 drugs).
I admit I have become habituated to the narcotic, adn over the years my doctor has adjusted the dosage higher to accommodate the tolerance. At the same time he has prescribed higher narcotic doses, he's made sure that the acetaminophen dose is lowered, and my liver function is tested every 6 months.
I wish I could stop using this drug, but i need to stand and walk to make a living. What am I supposed to do if the FDA panel gets its way? Go on disability & suffer withdrawal is my guess. On the other hand, I'd personally save $30 a month not having to pay for the Rx!

[O-Bummer]

Here we go again, 'Bama. Just put a chip in me so you can regulate everything I do.

[JOY]

I've taken care of a an elderly lady who got Cirrhosis of the liver from Tylenol. Some old people get as many as 8 doses a day in nursing homes. Shame on their Doctors and Nurses who don't question the high doses.

[JOY]

Methadone, as in synthetic Heroin, is quickly becoming the drug of choice for pain relief. by alot of Drs.

[You get what you vote for]

Welcome to the post-election Obama world. Socialism is well underway and Mr. Obama will soon have us all in his ultimate control, if we're not already there.(Cap and trade, taxing health insurance benefits, etc.) In such an environment can anyone truly be surprised that Al freaking Franken is a Senator?

[on and on]

Romas wrote:

I have refused to take tylenol (acetminophen) for years because I felt it was not a safe medicine. The stronger painkillers like Vicodin should be closely regulated and controlled just like morphine is. No one needs these powerful painkillers. No one needs most of the prescription drugs that they are taking. There are too many powerful narcotics and toxic chemicals being ingested by people because the big pharma is trying to make money. Time for everyone to reduce their ingestion of these medicines and try some old fashioned excercise and healthy foods. And if it hurts a bit, suck it up.

So where did you get your medical degree?

How dare you claim that "No one needs these powerful painkillers" i.e., Vicodin. Obviously you've never suffered from chronic severe pain or temporary incapacitating pain. Sorry, but your suggested "old fashioned excercise and healthy foods" doesn't help all pain.

Have you ever had shingles? I recently did. It's unbelievably painful, like a combination of chickenpox, leprosy, and second-degree burns. Nerve endings go crazy, you feel the need to scratch the itch, but the lightest touch is devastating. I thank God that I was given a prescription for Vicodin (my first experience with such a powerful pain reliever) for the never-ending incredible pain rather than having to "suck it up" for a few weeks as you would suggest.

Could you possibly be more self-righteous and ignorant?

[Mary D]

I took Vicodin's generic after surgery. It became annoying because it made me sleep. Banning it seems silly. I didn't even take the full prescrition. It wasn't necessary

However, Tylenol damages the liver and the dosage between safe use and what causes damage to the body is a narrow boundry. I won't take it. As a matter of fact, it was what the doctor allowed me to take for any affiliction before my surgery or after. I only wanted asprin for my headache, which was prohibited for various reasons. I only take asprin, the side effects and consequences of use are well documented..

[Elizabeth]

Those of you complaining about the nanny state: please stock up on Tylenol and take a full dose (heck - take double!) every time the big bad government gives you a headache.

[in pain a lot]

Romas wrote:

I have refused to take tylenol (acetminophen) for years because I felt it was not a safe medicine. The stronger painkillers like Vicodin should be closely regulated and controlled just like morphine is. No one needs these powerful painkillers. No one needs most of the prescription drugs that they are taking. There are too many powerful narcotics and toxic chemicals being ingested by people because the big pharma is trying to make money. Time for everyone to reduce their ingestion of these medicines and try some old fashioned excercise and healthy foods. And if it hurts a bit, suck it up.

I wish on you chronic, unending pain caused by the condition of your choice, i.e., arthritis, fibro, spondylitis, cancer....
Then come back here spouting your bilge about diet and exercise.
News flash: when you have arthritis in your back, knees, hips you CAN'T walk a lot. People on chemo or cancer CAN'T eat a lot.
I've lost 40 pounds in 2 years, walk as much as possible, and am still in chronic pain.
If you want to go back to the good ol' days when there were no modern medicines, why don't you do that. But remember, there were few antibiotics either, so you will probably die before you are old enough to get a degenerative disease. Actually, that sounds good to me...

e.s.a.d.

[Cancergirl]

Romas. Before you make an across the board statement like that, maybe you should try 42 weeks of chemo, and 3 bone marrow biposy's from the same hip. Then when you have deep bone pain that keeps you from walking upright, and sleeping. And you are allergic to Demerol, Morphone, and Oxycotins, you may decide that being sucking it up isnt all it's cracked up to be. In fact you may decide that taking a prescribed amont of Vicodin, and having blood test every 6 months to watch out for affects on the liver may be the path of choice..

Romas wrote:

I have refused to take tylenol (acetminophen) for years because I felt it was not a safe medicine. The stronger painkillers like Vicodin should be closely regulated and controlled just like morphine is. No one needs these powerful painkillers. No one needs most of the prescription drugs that they are taking. There are too many powerful narcotics and toxic chemicals being ingested by people because the big pharma is trying to make money. Time for everyone to reduce their ingestion of these medicines and try some old fashioned excercise and healthy foods. And if it hurts a bit, suck it up.

[mac]

are government is so concerned about drugs in this country yet if they ban Vicodin an percocet your going to see a heroin spike nation wide or whatever else will take peoples pain away...

[james p]

i dont think the fda should miss with something thats works