Long term Tylenol useage... - Pain Management Message Board

misstoogood · 06-29-2002, 06:34 AM

Hi All,

I have a question for those of you with lots of med knowledge (like David.) Anyone who knows is free to answer though. I currently take Percocet 10. Of course, they have Tylenol in them too. I am getting concerned about taking this drug because I've heard that long term Tylenol useage can harm your liver. What is considered long term?

I have taken this med for over a year now and for 6 months under the perscription of my PM doctor. I take about 1025 mg of Tylenol a day in these tablets. This is my BT med. I was just wondering if it was safe to continue this doseage and for how long.

I have no real hope of getting off the meds any time soon and am wondering if I should ask about the option of a straight oxy pill. It does exist, doesn't it? I appreciate all your help. I had intended to adress this at my last doctor appt., but didn't write down my questions (I know shame on me) and forgot to ask. I really thought I could remember the two or three things I wanted to ask... Live and learn.

Missy

Dawn1973 · 06-29-2002, 10:55 AM

hey Missy!!
I work in health care so I will try to answer this based on as much as I know. it isn't so much the length of time you are on them, but it is how much of it you take at one time. The liver must eliminate the tylenol from the body, therefore, if you take too much at one time, it can damage the liver. 1025mg a day of tylenol, is okay, actually, the liver can handle as much as 4000 a day. So I wouldn't worry too much. But so you know, oxycodone (which is the same as percocet without the tylenol) is also available. Therefore, if you are worried, just ask your doc about prescribing those instead. they are a little orange tablet (at least the generic is) and they come in 5mg strength. So taking two of them would be the same as taking a 10mg percocet, just no tylenol. good luck Missy, hope you are doing okay.
Dawn

beckiebutler73 · 06-30-2002, 09:22 AM

When I was in the hospital they where really careful about the tylenol...they gave me oxycodone(without the tylenol) in it every 4 hours..and only gave me 650 tylenol every 6 hours....too much tylenol in one day can damage the liver.
Beckie

jane2 · 06-30-2002, 11:57 AM

David is the expert, but I can give you some information. Hopefully, he can add to it and correct it if necessary.

Tylenol isn't great long term. You aren't near the limit. Other medications you are on may also affect you liver. I think it would be better not to be on it for the rest of your life. It is also a good idea to get your liver enzymes tested every year.

Straight Oxycodone comes in a number of forms. Roxicodone is like percodet without the Tylenol.
OxyIR is a fast relief tablet, usually used for breakthrough pain on top of OxyContin. Then there is OxyContin.

I don't know how you use it. OxyContin is for round the clock usuage. You are dependant on it. Plus side is you don't have the ups and downs in pain relief and don't feel so high on it either. If you are taking the percocet as needed Roxicodone might be better choice. If you are taking it several times a day OxyContin might work better.

Generally, doctors like to choose the medications. Some doctors get suspicious if you seem interested in a drug like OxyContin. I don't know your doctor or what your relationship is like. Generally it is better not to ask for a specific drug by name. Say you are worried about the Tylenol and heard about drugs like Roxicodone and OxyContin.

misstoogood · 06-30-2002, 05:29 PM

Thanks to all of you that replied!

Jane, let me fill you in on my meds. I am currently taking Kadian for my regular pain relief and am perscribed the Percocet for break through. I take percs three times most days. My pain is not controlled by the Kadian. I know I am getting an increase on that in a few weeks (from 30 to 50.) I also take Neurontin (2400mg) Soma (350mg 4x a day) flexeril (30mg). I think that's about it except I also have a prescription for Ibuprofen (800mg 3x a day) which I almost never take. It was supposed to be an anti-inflammatory, but I didn't see results -- so why take it!

I just get concerned about damaging my insides with all these pills.

I am glad to see that I am probably okay with the Tylenol content. I'll ask about next visit to be sure. I know doctors should be looking out for these things, but we probably all have learned that we must look out for ourselves too.

Again, thanks for the tips. It is invaluable to know how to approach my doctor and not scare him off, but also get what I need. It is so hard to walk that line. I want to seem informed, but not too pushy. Everyone here helps a lot with their experience and knowledge. I don't know where I would be without you all!

Missy