Ultracet more harmful than Ultram?

Question:

Why, on the print out from the pharmacy, does it say Ultracet should be taken only for five days?  It seems people are on Ultram long term. Is it the acetominophen that can cause damage – to the stomach or something? I’m getting amazing pain relief from Ultracet yesterday and today, and hadn’t gotten relief from Ultram when I tried it before.  If Ultracet *is* dangerous and Ultram not, I’d be happy to revisit Ultram again. Can someone explain why the pharmacy warning about Ultracet?  All it is is Ultram mixed with acetominphen. Thanks Jen

Response:

> Why, on the print out from the pharmacy, does it say Ultracet should > be taken only for five days?  It seems people are on Ultram long term. > Is it the acetominophen that can cause damage – to the stomach or > something? > I’m getting amazing pain relief from Ultracet yesterday and today, and > hadn’t gotten relief from Ultram when I tried it before.  If Ultracet > *is* dangerous and Ultram not, I’d be happy to revisit Ultram again. > Can someone explain why the pharmacy warning about Ultracet?  All it > is is Ultram mixed with acetominphen.

Acetaminophen (and aspirin) is toxic to the liver and kidneys, which is why it’s not safe to take in the long term at high doses. There is a safe limit, but that can vary depending on the state of the person’s liver, drinking alcohol etc.  I think the stated maximum daily dosage of Acetaminophen (APAP) is 4000mg. It’s the NSAIDs which harm the stomach, I don’t think acetaminophen does. So that’s why opioids are used for long-term pain relief – they aren’t toxic over the long term. Unfortunately there are many opioid-phobic doctors who would rather destroy their patients livers than give them safe pain medication. If you are taking one of the following medications, consult your doctor before taking any product containing acetaminophen: Questran (cholestrol-lowering drug), Nydrazid (isoniazid), Dolobid/Motrin (Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), Oral contraceptives, Dilantin (phenytoin), Coumadin (warfarin), and Retrovir (zidovudine). — Katharine S.   DEFINITION: Computer – A device designed to speed and automate errors.

Response:

oh my gosh .. just read your post ..and I DO take questran ..and am on Norco 10/325 …  where can I find out more … ?              thanks – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Why, on the print out from the pharmacy, does it say Ultracet should > be taken only for five days?  It seems people are on Ultram long term. > Is it the acetominophen that can cause damage – to the stomach or > something? > I’m getting amazing pain relief from Ultracet yesterday and today, and > hadn’t gotten relief from Ultram when I tried it before.  If Ultracet > *is* dangerous and Ultram not, I’d be happy to revisit Ultram again. > Can someone explain why the pharmacy warning about Ultracet?  All it > is is Ultram mixed with acetominphen. > Acetaminophen (and aspirin) is toxic to the liver and kidneys, which is why > it’s not safe to take in the long term at high doses. There is a safe limit, > but that can vary depending on the state of the person’s liver, drinking > alcohol etc.  I think the stated maximum daily dosage of Acetaminophen > (APAP) is 4000mg. It’s the NSAIDs which harm the stomach, I don’t think > acetaminophen does. > So that’s why opioids are used for long-term pain relief – they aren’t toxic > over the long term. Unfortunately there are many opioid-phobic doctors who > would rather destroy their patients livers than give them safe pain > medication. > If you are taking one of the following medications, consult your doctor > before taking any product containing acetaminophen: Questran > (cholestrol-lowering drug), Nydrazid (isoniazid), Dolobid/Motrin > (Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), Oral contraceptives, Dilantin > (phenytoin), Coumadin (warfarin), and Retrovir (zidovudine). > — > Katharine S. >   DEFINITION: Computer – A device designed to speed and automate errors.

Response:

Jen, the acetomenophen/Tylenol in Ultracet, in large amts CAN be damaging to the liver. I think the optimum dose of acetomenophen is approx. 3,500-4,500mg(?)…not sure of exact amt, but I’m sure someone here knows. Just keep track of how much you’re getting in the Ulracet, OTC & other meds. You can check with your DR or Pharmacist. Good to hear that it works well for your pain. Peace~Stacie P.S. it’s aspirin, Cortisone & NASAIDS that are rough on the stomach.

Response:

You can find out a lot about those meds on the "Net through Google, but you might be better off if you buy a copy of the PDR Pocket Guide To Prescription Drugs, a handy book which gives information on each drug, how much to take, drug interactions, side effects, etc. In the US it costs $6.99; $8.99 Canadian.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->oh my gosh .. just read your post ..and I DO take questran ..and am on Norco >10/325 … > where can I find out more … ? >             thanks > > Why, on the print out from the pharmacy, does it say Ultracet should > > be taken only for five days?  It seems people are on Ultram long term. > > Is it the acetominophen that can cause damage – to the stomach or > > something? > > I’m getting amazing pain relief from Ultracet yesterday and today, and > > hadn’t gotten relief from Ultram when I tried it before. If Ultracet > > *is* dangerous and Ultram not, I’d be happy to revisit Ultram again. > > Can someone explain why the pharmacy warning about Ultracet?  All it > > is is Ultram mixed with acetominphen. > Acetaminophen (and aspirin) is toxic to the liver and

kidneys, which is why > it’s not safe to take in the long term at high doses. There is a safe limit, > but that can vary depending on the state of the person’s liver, drinking > alcohol etc.  I think the stated maximum daily dosage of Acetaminophen > (APAP) is 4000mg. It’s the NSAIDs which harm the stomach, I don’t think > acetaminophen does. > So that’s why opioids are used for long-term pain relief – they aren’t toxic > over the long term. Unfortunately there are many

opioid-phobic doctors who > would rather destroy their patients livers than give them safe pain > medication. > If you are taking one of the following medications, consult your doctor > before taking any product containing acetaminophen: Questran > (cholestrol-lowering drug), Nydrazid (isoniazid), Dolobid/Motrin > (Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), Oral

contraceptives, Dilantin – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> (phenytoin), Coumadin (warfarin), and Retrovir (zidovudine). > — > Katharine S. >   DEFINITION: Computer – A device designed to speed and automate errors.

Response:

> oh my gosh .. just read your post ..and I DO take questran ..and am > on Norco 10/325 … >  where can I find out more … ? >              thanks

Check with your pharmacist and/or doctor – it might be an issue, or it might just be just a precaution to cover their backs in case .0000001% of people react badly to the combination. I was surprised when I saw that oral contraceptives are on the list – I take them, but no doctor has every indicated concern when I’ve been on anything with APAP in it… — Katharine S.   DEFINITION: Computer – A device designed to speed and automate errors.

Response:

>Acetaminophen (and aspirin) is toxic to the liver and kidneys, which is why >it’s not safe to take in the long term at high doses. There is a safe limit, >but that can vary depending on the state of the person’s liver, drinking >alcohol etc.  I think the stated maximum daily dosage of Acetaminophen >(APAP) is 4000mg. It’s the NSAIDs which harm the stomach, I don’t think >acetaminophen does.

Katharine and Stacie – Thank you for the information.  I’m wondering how long you can take acetonminphen?   I just reread the physician’s info (at www.ultracet.com) and it says:  "ULTRACET is indicated for the short-term (5 days or less) management of acute pain."   I don’t drink at all and my liver is fine now; I get tested often. I’ve been on Celebrex for over a year and I’d like to find something different.  Maybe I will try Ultram again, if I can tolerate Ultracet. It’s giving me a very heavy, cloudy head.  And I’m wondering if it’s even making me feel more depressed.   >So that’s why opioids are used for long-term pain relief – they aren’t toxic >over the long term. Unfortunately there are many opioid-phobic doctors who >would rather destroy their patients livers than give them safe pain >medication.

Only speaking for my own doctor.  He has given me *many* opioids and I just can’t tolerate the side effects.  It’s horrible.  I’m terribly sensitive to side effects yet in horrible pain.  He is truly willing and wanting to give me absolutely anything that would help me.  He has no fear at all of prescribing med after med to see how I’ll respond – if it will help and if I can tolerate it.  I’m kind of a tough case all the way around. I’m really so miserable right now.  What do you guys do when it all just gets you down?  Seeing doctors, being disabled, feeling sick, medicated feeling; sometimes it’s just too much. >If you are taking one of the following medications, consult your doctor >before taking any product containing acetaminophen: Questran >(cholestrol-lowering drug), Nydrazid (isoniazid), Dolobid/Motrin >(Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), Oral contraceptives, Dilantin >(phenytoin), Coumadin (warfarin), and Retrovir (zidovudine).

I noticed on the site that it can reduce the seizure threshold, so that could be the reason for some of those listed.  I wonder if that NSAID holds true for others, like Celebrex, as well. This is the first page of the physician’s info – http://www.ultracet.com/hcp/hcpabout.html  and there’s a link to another that’s a .pdf file – the complete info. What do you do when you start to think it’s just not fair, I can’t take it, and you can’t shake the feeling? I definitely feel "heady" – headche-ish sort of thing.  Does anyone else feel that on Ultram?  Or even Tylenol I guess?  I wonder why Ultracet would work when Ultram and Tylenol on their own don’t.  Is there something about a combination?  I think the only thing that’s ever helped me are antiinflammatories.  If only I were allowed to take Toradol or I wasn’t allergic to Prednisone I think I’d be a functional person. Sorry I rambled. Thanks again for loking that up for me and answering my question. Jen

Response:

   Jen writes: Katharine and Stacie – Thank you for the information. I’m wondering how long you can take acetonminphen?

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