FDA Panel Urges Ban on Vicodin and Percocet
A federal advisory panel recommended a ban on Percocet and Vicodin and other prescription drugs that combine acetaminophen with a narcotic, due to their harmful effects on the liver. The panel also voted to lower the maximum daily dose of nonprescription acetaminophen, found in over-the-counter drugs like Tylenol, Excedrin. Overdosing with acetaminophen is the leading cause of liver failure in the U.S.
Other recommendations:
- Lower maximum single dose of nonprescription acetaminophen to 650 milligrams (from 1,000 milligrams)
- Make 1,000 milligram dose of acetaminophen available only by prescription
- Limit acetaminophen liquids to a single concentration (over-the-counter children's medicines are currently available in two different concentrations)
If the FDA follows the panel's recommendations, a "black box" warning may soon appear on prescription painkillers that combine acetaminophen.
Here are 5 things you need to know about acetaminophen:
- Many over-the-counter products, such as pain relievers and cold medications, contain acetaminophen. Read medicine labels carefully and follow directions to make sure of the proper dose and timing.
- Keep track of your medications. If you're taking more than one medication, check the "active ingredients" to avoid getting too much of one ingredient.
- Combining acetaminophen with alcoholic beverages can increase the risk of liver damage. Caffeine also increases the effect of acetaminophen.
- Acetaminophen should not be used with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin and ibuprofen.
- Over-the-counter cough and cold medicines should not be given to children under age 2.
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I have been taking a low dose of lortab and I do think their is a lot of asprin they should add more medicn insted of asprin then people woulden't have to take as much.I do not want them to take thra flue of the market it relly worke so they probly will take it off the shelvs. wake up fda .
I can see banning the acetaminophen because it is harmful to the liver. I cannot see banning Vicodin or Percocet (the narcotic part of it). I suffer from chronic pain. I have rheumatoid arthritis combined with fibromyalgia. I need the stronger narcotics to help with the pain. There are people out there with chronic pain that have to have these medications just to get through the day.
I think the government is assuming people are too stupid to read the labels. too much government control.
I am with you Jacqueline T. I have RA and Fibromyalgia and rely on a hydrocodone/acetaminophin drug to relieve my pain. I have always wondered why the hydrocodone doesn't come by itself? I know I take a medication with only 325 mg of acetaminophin and they also make a medication with hydrocodone and ibuprofen that can help more than aceatminophin with the swelling aspect of it.
Do not fear.....they cannot simply leave people with chronic pain with no alternative medication to treat the pain.
People I have been taking two 5/325 percocets per day for 9 years now, because of arthritis and gout. If I had to try to cope without these medications I think I would just give up - maybe move to Amsterdam and try using pot to moderate my pain. If I end up with no way to handle my pain it will be time for a 12 gauge cocktail.
I am a pain clinic patient at the MPLS.VA...they have already taken away oxycodone (available only in 5 mg doses)
vicodin and percocet are not far behind in no longer being available to Veterans thanks to the FDA refusing to grandfather these drugs that are effective but, alas, never given FDA approval.
i think this is bullshit. some people suffer chronic pain. we can read labels. we know what risks we are willing to take. (side effects, etc). Tylenol has been around a very long time. When it comes down to it, pretty much everything is bad for you. But people as myself with chronic pain, (cant speak for all, but for myself) i feel that the vicodin and percocet's make my pain much more tolerable, more so than the oxycodone (perks without tylenol).