Comments on: Conflicting drug information from "authoritative" sources… http://onthepharm.net/2007/02/conflicting-drug-information-from-authoritative-sources.html Life on the pharm Sat, 13 Mar 2010 17:06:35 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Tracey http://onthepharm.net/2007/02/conflicting-drug-information-from-authoritative-sources.html/comment-page-1#comment-185631 Tracey Fri, 19 Feb 2010 21:09:06 +0000 http://onthepharm.net/2007/02/conflicting-drug-information-from-authoritative-sources.html#comment-185631 Tony, you are talking about Tylenol #1 that is sold over the counter and has 8 mg of codeine plus the other two. Yes, there is a law that there be two non-narcotic ingredients. T3 is NOT sold OTC, only by prescription same as in the States. Having a T3 without caffeine is news to me. l had to switch to plain codeine years ago because the caffeine really adds up when you require 8-10 pills during a migraine. But, if you only need a few for a headache - the caffeine helps to shrink the blood vessels that are enlarged in the head causing pain. That's why caffeine has been in headache remedies for so many years. -Going back to Excedrin and Alka Seltzer. l am wondering --- does the EMTEC 30 pill have caffeine? Tony, you are talking about Tylenol #1 that is sold over the counter and has 8 mg of codeine plus the other two. Yes, there is a law that there be two non-narcotic ingredients.
T3 is NOT sold OTC, only by prescription same as in the States.
Having a T3 without caffeine is news to me. l had to switch to plain codeine years ago because the caffeine really adds up when you require 8-10 pills during a migraine. But, if you only need a few for a headache – the caffeine helps to shrink the blood vessels that are enlarged in the head causing pain. That's why caffeine has been in headache remedies for so many years. -Going back to Excedrin and Alka Seltzer.
l am wondering — does the EMTEC 30 pill have caffeine?

]]> By: Tony http://onthepharm.net/2007/02/conflicting-drug-information-from-authoritative-sources.html/comment-page-1#comment-182529 Tony Fri, 30 Jan 2009 19:23:41 +0000 http://onthepharm.net/2007/02/conflicting-drug-information-from-authoritative-sources.html#comment-182529 By over the counter, I mean that you actually have to go to the counter and fill out a record with your information. I don't think they actually carry the name tylonol 3 because they have less codeine in them. 300 mg of acetaminophen, 8 mg of codeine and 15 mg of caffeine. Here is an excerpt from wiki, I know it's not always a reliable source, but it really does tell the law: In Canada, codeine can be sold over the counter only in combination with two or more ingredients, which has resulted in the prevalence of AC&C (aspirin, codeine, and caffeine), and similar combinations using acetaminophen (paracetamol) rather than aspirin. Caffeine, being a stimulant, tends to offset the sedative effects of codeine. It also can increase the effectiveness and absorption rate of analgesics in some circumstances By over the counter, I mean that you actually have to go to the counter and fill out a record with your information. I don't think they actually carry the name tylonol 3 because they have less codeine in them. 300 mg of acetaminophen, 8 mg of codeine and 15 mg of caffeine. Here is an excerpt from wiki, I know it's not always a reliable source, but it really does tell the law:

In Canada, codeine can be sold over the counter only in combination with two or more ingredients, which has resulted in the prevalence of AC&C (aspirin, codeine, and caffeine), and similar combinations using acetaminophen (paracetamol) rather than aspirin. Caffeine, being a stimulant, tends to offset the sedative effects of codeine. It also can increase the effectiveness and absorption rate of analgesics in some circumstances

]]> By: mike http://onthepharm.net/2007/02/conflicting-drug-information-from-authoritative-sources.html/comment-page-1#comment-182521 mike Sat, 24 Jan 2009 22:05:33 +0000 http://onthepharm.net/2007/02/conflicting-drug-information-from-authoritative-sources.html#comment-182521 T-3's or any codein products are prescription only in Canada. You cant get them in the isle. T-3's or any codein products are prescription only in Canada. You cant get them in the isle.

]]> By: Tony http://onthepharm.net/2007/02/conflicting-drug-information-from-authoritative-sources.html/comment-page-1#comment-182512 Tony Tue, 13 Jan 2009 13:47:49 +0000 http://onthepharm.net/2007/02/conflicting-drug-information-from-authoritative-sources.html#comment-182512 Ok, guys, the reason there is caffeine in the Canadian version is because it is sold over the counter there. Whereas in the US it is Rx only. The Caffeine in the Canadian version is put in there to 1) fulfill the law that in order for codeine to be OTC it must contain 2 non narcotic ingredients and 2) Take away some of the sedating effects in hopes to cut down on abuse potential. Ok, guys, the reason there is caffeine in the Canadian version is because it is sold over the counter there. Whereas in the US it is Rx only. The Caffeine in the Canadian version is put in there to 1) fulfill the law that in order for codeine to be OTC it must contain 2 non narcotic ingredients and 2) Take away some of the sedating effects in hopes to cut down on abuse potential.

]]> By: Dave Michaels http://onthepharm.net/2007/02/conflicting-drug-information-from-authoritative-sources.html/comment-page-1#comment-182381 Dave Michaels Sun, 30 Nov 2008 07:14:22 +0000 http://onthepharm.net/2007/02/conflicting-drug-information-from-authoritative-sources.html#comment-182381 Note that a cup of coffee has 75 to 100 mg of caffeine. So taking two Tylenol 3s, each with 15 mg of caffeine, is like drinking 2.5 ounces of regular-strength coffee. *That's* why there is still a difference between the US and Canada: because it isn't significant for the vast majority of patients. Note that a cup of coffee has 75 to 100 mg of caffeine. So taking two Tylenol 3s, each with 15 mg of caffeine, is like drinking 2.5 ounces of regular-strength coffee. *That's* why there is still a difference between the US and Canada: because it isn't significant for the vast majority of patients.

]]> By: Jessa http://onthepharm.net/2007/02/conflicting-drug-information-from-authoritative-sources.html/comment-page-1#comment-181023 Jessa Fri, 30 May 2008 00:02:36 +0000 http://onthepharm.net/2007/02/conflicting-drug-information-from-authoritative-sources.html#comment-181023 This is a very interesting topic. In all Tylenol #3 there is caffeine but when you take a prescription to a pharmacy and the doctor has prescribed you Tylenol #3 the pharmacy will give you a lower priced interchangeable. This could be the reason that you end up getting something without the caffeine, but usually they give you a generic brand with exactly the same medicinal ingredients. There is also a very similar pain reliever called Emtec 30 which is a T3 without the caffeine. And as far as strengths of the analgesic (the 325mg of acetaminophen or 200mg of ibuprofen in a regular strength Advil) that's really all your body needs to "kill" the pain. Medicine is a funny thing, but maybe the next time you see your physician or pharmacist, ask him/her about the caffeine. This is a very interesting topic. In all Tylenol #3 there is caffeine but when you take a prescription to a pharmacy and the doctor has prescribed you Tylenol #3 the pharmacy will give you a lower priced interchangeable. This could be the reason that you end up getting something without the caffeine, but usually they give you a generic brand with exactly the same medicinal ingredients. There is also a very similar pain reliever called Emtec 30 which is a T3 without the caffeine. And as far as strengths of the analgesic (the 325mg of acetaminophen or 200mg of ibuprofen in a regular strength Advil) that's really all your body needs to "kill" the pain. Medicine is a funny thing, but maybe the next time you see your physician or pharmacist, ask him/her about the caffeine.

]]> By: ukcommunitypharmacist http://onthepharm.net/2007/02/conflicting-drug-information-from-authoritative-sources.html/comment-page-1#comment-16668 ukcommunitypharmacist Fri, 16 Feb 2007 19:49:05 +0000 http://onthepharm.net/2007/02/conflicting-drug-information-from-authoritative-sources.html#comment-16668 We are nice and simple in the UK. One strength of acetaminophen - 500mg (except for maybe the odd cold/flu product). Makes it nice and easy to counsel patients. I remember a story from a few years ago of a skier who won an Olympic medal, but then failed a drug test. He had taken a cold/flu product that contained pseudoephedrine (banned by the IOC). This product was also available in the UK, but the UK product didn't contain pseudoephedrine. So if he had taken the UK product he would have kept his medal. If pharmacists and elite athletes have problems here, where does it leave average members of the public? We are nice and simple in the UK. One strength of acetaminophen – 500mg (except for maybe the odd cold/flu product). Makes it nice and easy to counsel patients.

I remember a story from a few years ago of a skier who won an Olympic medal, but then failed a drug test. He had taken a cold/flu product that contained pseudoephedrine (banned by the IOC). This product was also available in the UK, but the UK product didn't contain pseudoephedrine. So if he had taken the UK product he would have kept his medal. If pharmacists and elite athletes have problems here, where does it leave average members of the public?

]]> By: very cold http://onthepharm.net/2007/02/conflicting-drug-information-from-authoritative-sources.html/comment-page-1#comment-15836 very cold Wed, 14 Feb 2007 22:25:21 +0000 http://onthepharm.net/2007/02/conflicting-drug-information-from-authoritative-sources.html#comment-15836 That is interesting that there are differences in medicine. I've been to different countries where there are different foods that are similar to what we have in the US. Oreos in South Africa have more chocolate than US oreos but medicine. I thought medicine was Universal unless there was a specific religious reason that medicine couldn't have a certain ingredient in it. Canada should have the same medicine as the US. Now I am going to have the check medicines in foreign countries to make sure i'm not allergic to the ingredients. That is interesting that there are differences in medicine. I've been to different countries where there are different foods that are similar to what we have in the US. Oreos in South Africa have more chocolate than US oreos but medicine. I thought medicine was Universal unless there was a specific religious reason that medicine couldn't have a certain ingredient in it. Canada should have the same medicine as the US. Now I am going to have the check medicines in foreign countries to make sure i'm not allergic to the ingredients.

]]> By: RJS http://onthepharm.net/2007/02/conflicting-drug-information-from-authoritative-sources.html/comment-page-1#comment-15530 RJS Wed, 14 Feb 2007 00:09:59 +0000 http://onthepharm.net/2007/02/conflicting-drug-information-from-authoritative-sources.html#comment-15530 Actually, around 300mg (specifically 325mg) is normal for paracetamol. 500mg is considered "extra strength." For years the standard has always been 325mg, but now everyone always wants extra strength everything, so this "low" dose has gone by the wayside. In the US, if you walk down the pain aisle, I doubt you'd see any Tylenol that's not extra strength. Actually, around 300mg (specifically 325mg) is normal for paracetamol. 500mg is considered "extra strength." For years the standard has always been 325mg, but now everyone always wants extra strength everything, so this "low" dose has gone by the wayside.

In the US, if you walk down the pain aisle, I doubt you'd see any Tylenol that's not extra strength.

]]> By: ukcommunitypharmacist http://onthepharm.net/2007/02/conflicting-drug-information-from-authoritative-sources.html/comment-page-1#comment-15505 ukcommunitypharmacist Tue, 13 Feb 2007 22:02:49 +0000 http://onthepharm.net/2007/02/conflicting-drug-information-from-authoritative-sources.html#comment-15505 Ok, so the caffeine (or lack of it) is interesting, but why on earth has it only got 300mg acetaminophen? (paracetamol to me...) Ok, so the caffeine (or lack of it) is interesting, but why on earth has it only got 300mg acetaminophen? (paracetamol to me…)

]]>