Tylenol with Codeine for Headache - Headaches & Migraines Message Board

mickih · 09-03-2005, 08:22 PM

My doctor gave me Tylenol w/ Codeine to take for headaches. I usually only use it if my migraine medication fails to work. Does anyone know how often I can take it? The bottle says every 8 hours, but I thought in the past that it had always said every 6 hours.

runnin76 · 09-05-2005, 12:24 PM

It may depend on the strength of the codeine in your prescription.
Mine, for example, are Tylenol with codeine #3.
My prescripition says to take 2 evey 4 to 6 hours.
Maybe the strength of codeine in yours is a higher concentration?

mickih · 09-05-2005, 08:43 PM

Mine are also the #3's. I knew in the past that my prescriptions had always said that I could take them at least every 6 hours. I don't know why this time it says every 8 hours. I think it's a mistake.

SRMom · 09-08-2005, 12:07 PM

Depending on the severity of your pain, I would think you could take one or two, every 4-6 hours. I sometimes take Vicodin (similar to Codeine) and my prescription says one every four hours as needed. I had a migraine when I was in the hospital once and they gave me two Vicodin. You are the only one that knows how severe your pain is, but I would be careful not to take too many...your doctor won't let you have them if he/she thinks you are becoming dependent.

Chaswick · 09-08-2005, 05:12 PM

I agree, you are the only one that knows if you need them. I have taken them in the past and taken T4's as well. Both said to take 1-2 every 4-6 hours. It depends on the Dr., how long you have been taking the things and how severe your head is.

You do need to limit them to, at most, 2 days a week or there is a myriad of problems you could run in to.

I believe that it is very important to STOP my headaches early and when I go to a pain killer like T3 taking 2 right now, and if my h/a is starting to rtn. after 2 1/2 or 3 hours I'll take another 2. Doing it like this means that, in the long run, I'll take less T3s and that my h/a won't take hold and last for days on end.

Good luck!!//Chaz