It doesn't seem to me that the FDA is really addressing the true problem here-people overdosing on acetaminophen. Education seems to be the key. I would think that they could do TV ads addressing this issue and put up signs at the stores to "try" to educate the public about the dangers of using too much acetaminophen.
It worries me that they want to ban certain drugs, especially ones that many migraine patients use as abortives or rescue medicines.
I agree that whether or not they decrease the dosages, education is still needed.
so basically their attitude is because a few can't read warnings on meds, all must ssuffer and do without.
i try to avoid any pain meds if all possible. with migraines that is next to impossible. i use them only when i must, and i'm careful what i take and when.
i already have enough trouble getting a shot from the ER when i need it. and the way it looks to me is this will now be my only choice, as i am allergic to asprin. gotta love those who take away my only choices for relief, because some folks can't use good old common sense.
The really bad news about this is that just removing certain painkillers from the market or changing those products will not significantly affect the liver toxicity problem. The real issue is the number of different types of otc medications that have acetaminophen as one of the ingredients. It's not the least bit uncommon to find out a person is taking vicodin for their pain, Nyquil/Dayquil because they have a bad cold, and even perhaps Tylenol PM because they have trouble sleeping. All these products contain acetaminophen. You'd be surprised how many people don't know that because they don't read labels. There is where the recipe for disaster lies.
I truly cannot fathom the sense in making policy targeted toward people who do not follow the directions and take their meds as prescribed. Why should people who use these medications as directed not have access to them? It seems to me that the hysteria over pain medication has reached a new fever pitch.
I find this news very disturbing. I am one of those people who cannot take triptans. I understand the FDA's concern but eliminating most of the choices of rescue medications and break through pain medications will only serve to increase the pain levels of patients who truly need the options. Has any recommendation been made as to how migraine and other chronic pain sufferers are supposed to cope without the availability of these drugs?
I too,.....cannot take triptans. Therefore, I'm left with what? I've been to a specialist and several neurologists. They want me to basically take preventive and not giving me anything for the pain at the moment, except muscle relaxers. Which I recently found out was not good on for my heart palpitations, and taking with another medicine I'm on, and anti-depressant could be bad. So, I'm trying to cope the best I can, and I just had rotator-cuff surgery, and the specialist that I drove 4 hours today to see says, "Why did you go off Depakote?" I said, "Because you told me to." She was totally in a fog to what I was on, and what we discussed before. She also said well, we can't do much if you continue taking Vicodin and Percocet. I mean.......I just told her I had surgery last month. I was prescribed these for my shoulder pain. I must admit, the migraines were better for a little while, but she was blowing the thing way out of the water, when she knew I just had surgery. I was not on these pain pills prior to this, and the first time I visited her 2 months ago.
Anyway, I'm with you .........if it helps, we have to take something. Who wants to stay in pain? I believe in finding a prevention, and I have went off some medications that were causing me MOH , but, now I still get them, and that's just the way it is. People don't know until they live with it.
Denise
I think you make a really key point. Anyone who is educated about this condition knows the importance of finding an effective preventative regimen, but unfortunately for some of us an effective preventative option has not materialized (yet). I've been trying to find a preventative medication or treatment for the past six years. Without meds to make my pain tolerable, I very well might have considered suicide. What about that threat, FDA?
Diana,
I know what you mean. I have also thought that way myself. As a matter of fact, I was speaking with my husband yesterday about how, I can understand people thinking about it. But to acutally do it, I would not. I have too much faith in God, and I have a family so great. But.........in saying this, I pray everyday for my migraines, and I will pray for all those out there that they find a preventive for us, that really works, and doesn't cause such fatal things to happen with our bodies. It's sad that we have to take something that may help in one aspect, but can possibly cause damage to another area of the body. I really don't think the FDA or any government people truly understand migraines yet. I have applied for disability and have to fight to get it. People may see me at times and think because I have make up on and look nice that nothings wrong with me. But,.......they do not have this body. This body that has lived with migraines for almost 18 years, and it gets harder and harder. So, I had to stop and give up a good paying job. I can't be accountable to show up to work when I don't even know if I can walk to my mailbox on any given day. Okay, yes, I may getting fumed now, but I'm glad there are some people on this forum, who do "get it," and understand. I pray and have hope for us all to find help.
Denise
Once again, we as patients are treated as children who cannot read labels, who don't understand the dangers of combining OTC medications and cannot reason for ourselves. This is becoming a nanny government, and I wonder if there is a hidden agenda.
Only 42,000 people have been hospitalized for liver problems. Out of 300 million people in the US, this is small percentage, yet banning two pain killers across the board, for the entire American population, doesn't make sense to me.
What worries me is there is no alternative drug for Vicodin users; no 100% hydrocodone pill exists. If they ban Vicodin, what are patients supposed to do? Oxycodone is available, so banning Percocet does makes sense.
Does anyone know who we should contact to object to this recommendation? As is with most patients, I am not coming from a point of abuse, addiction or drug seeking behavior; but rather that of a responsible, adult who requires these medications for moderate to severe pain.
What really gripes me is that the FDA, et. al., have known about acetamenophen's liver-damaging potential for at least 30-some-odd years, long before the "Tylenol Murders." Yet, they've all waited until now to produce this study with recommendations?
Acetamenophen has crept into so many OTC's in recent years, it's almost scary. But, too many people want one pill to treat everything they think is wrong with them. And, as someone else said, too many people refuse to read labels.
People need to grow up & read the cotton-pickin' labels! People need to understand there IS too much of a good thing.
I agree with the comments here. There comes a point where people have to take responsibility for themselves and their health. Read the labels, follow the directions, and talk to your doctor if necessary. Public policy should serve the majority, and not be designed to protect a handle of people from themselves. I support education, but they should not ban drugs that are or may be some people's only source of relief from pain!
Caught in the middle.. have taken Midrin for a long time now-and have been told I should have my liver checked because of my migraine meds and heart meds BUT can't live without them like the others here...
All we can do is wish for a cure or find the cause for all of us and how to fix us all I guess.
Wishinging everybody a painfree weekend.
midnite
In my opinion, taking Vicodin, Percocet, etc off the market is not the answer. It's like rearranging the deck chairs on a boat. The boat is still headed in the same direction, but now the chairs are facing a different way! People who want to take more aceitominophen then they should, still can, and definitely will. It seems to me that we could save more lives with effective education rather than flat out banning. Plus, there are many chronic pain, migraine, arthritis, etc patients that really benefit from acetaminophen. These patients, who are educated and aware of the dangers of this medication, should not be punished.
Maybe a less casual policy on prescribing these medications is in order? What about putting the medications behind the pharmacists counter? This can't just be an effort on the behalf of the FDA - doctors need to be behind it as well for it to work. So far, I have not yet talked to one doctor who believes this will make a positive difference in acetaminophen overdoses and associated liver damage..
If the government catches someone selling prescription drugs or decides they don't like a doctor's prescribing patterns, they treat them as adults and send them to prison. Yet, when something like this comes along, they treat the general public like children.
Banning conpounded acetaminophen and opioid medicaitons is NOT the answer. The answer is in educating the public and treating us as adults!
Namaste,
Abi
I usually sit back quietly and listen, as someone that suffers from migraines 3-4 times a week, and is a practicing critical care nurse, I now feel compelled to make a comment. I have treated and been involved in end of life care of patients that have overdosed, intentionally and not intentionally from acetaminophen, i don't know what the answer is. Limiting the drugs that are used to treat migraines I do not believe is the answer. Making people suffer with disregard to their level of pain is inhuman. I think there needs to be greater teaching by the medical field, because if they pharmaceutical companies and insurance companies try to limit the use of these drugs I feel that you will see more overdoses of acetaminophen by those trying to control their discomfort with over the counter medications, using this drug as well as ibuprofen.
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As you know, I've been waiting to see your article on this topic. Although I do not agree with the FDA deciding to removed medications that may be helpful for millions of people (vicodin, percocet) - I would understand more strict control of some sort over these drugs.
I personally am not a fan of acetaminophen because I get MOH quickly from it, and try very hard to avoid it. That being said, there are people who can't take other pain relievers (advil, aleve) due to allergic reactions to the drug, and it does give me another option if I really need it. I take Percocet for a rescue, but prefer Vicoprofen. My doctor and I are still working on finding me a new rescue, as the Vicoprofen is starting to konk out on me.
Limiting the dosage of acetaminophen, ok, but to start pulling drugs that really help people because others don't know how to read labels or overdose on it from just not following instructions. I don't agree with that. If that was the case, then there would be many more drug bans than just acetaminophen.
I'm a label reader....I can stand in the OTC area of a grocery store for hours trying to find drugs that DO NOT have OTC pain relievers in them, just on the chance that I may have a Migraine later and need a different drug, like my rescue, for example. If I take an OTC with Acetaminophen, then need to take Vicoprofen that has Ibuprofen, where does that leave me if I'm out of triptan days and I get another Migraine the next day?
I feel like Migraineurs already do such a balancing act with when they can and can't take a medication or OTC, and when they can. "Banning" narcotics with acetaminophen is going to make this balancing act much worse.
Great article, Teri! It really makes you think about "what am I going to do if this, or
WHEN this happens! And to know that the votes were so very close - that, to me, shows that even the FDA is on the fence about this approach - at least half the voting panel is!
Thanks, Eileen!