Scared to take a medication prescribed today (vicodin). Any advice?

Question

I went in for my back pain today, and I was prescribed 3 medications after a thorough and painful examination: Medrol (a steroid 6-day dosepack) Robaxin (muscle relaxer) and Vicodin (pain releiver). I was also given a shot that did take the edge off the pain I have been in for 4 days, but it did not releive it completely.

Anyway, I read over all this medication information, and I am afraid to take the vicodin. Hubby and I usually have a glass of wine with dinner, and I am afraid so much acetominophen (500 mg per tablet and I am directed to take 2 tablets each dose) is going to be harmful. Of course, I have no issue with forgoing wine with dinner at alldue to the medication, but since I have drank a glass with supper some nights for many months, will this medication harm me? I don't drink to excess and rarely have more than 2 glasses, and it's not every night.

Plus, has anyone out there ever used this medicine (Vicodin 5/500) ?? I am afraid to take it but I am in very bad pain.

Answer 1

Do not drink alcohol. Deaths have occurred from the mixing the two. Also Don't take it on an empty stomach.

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

I've been on Vicodin for nearly 4 years now for pain, not because of addiction. I used to be afraid of it also and would only take it when my pain was really bad. That doesn't work because once your pain reaches that level, it's too late and the pills rarely take the edge off. I've learned it's best to take it as prescribed. It will definitely be more effective. Also, if you take it as prescribed, there shouldn't be any problems with addiction. So many people are afraid and will tell you not to take it because of addiction, but if you use your head, you should be fine. Of course when you take it for some time, of course your body will become addicted but that just means weaning off of it. When I skip a dose, I don't feel any different. And as for drinking, I will have a beer once in a while with it and I don't feel any different. Of course where this is concerned, everybody is different. If you're going to try it, just make sure and have a glass at home first to see if it makes you really sleepy. I asked my doctor and he said it was fine as long as it's in moderation. I've never gone out to get drunk while taking my medication. Again, it's common sense. Use your head and you should be fine. I hope this helps and wish you the best.

Answer 4

Here's an article you should read concerning acetamenophen. If you consider how bad tylenol is for your liver without alcohol, imagine how much worse it will damage your liver with wine. I broke my foot and was prescribed Vicodin, too. I also love wine but wouldn't consider drinking wine with Vicodin. In fact, I only took 3 of them because I was afraid, too. I'd ask the doctor for a different medication. Hope your back gets better.

NewsTarget) -- Healthy adults who took the maximum dose of Tylenol for two weeks were found to have liver damage, according to a study appearing in the latest issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Researchers instructed 106 study participants to take 4 grams of Tylenol (eight extra-strength tablets) a day for two weeks, with some taking only Tylenol, and some taking Tylenol combined with an opioid painkiller. The rest of the participants were given a placebo.

Nearly 40 percent of the participants taking Tylenol or the Tylenol/opioid combination displayed abnormal liver test results that indicated liver damage, while those taking the placebo showed no damage.

The study's co-author, Dr. Neil Kaplowitz of the University of Southern California said, "I would urge the public not to exceed 4 grams a day. This is a drug that has a rather narrow safety window." Kaplowitz added that heavy drinkers should not exceed 2 grams a day.

Tylenol maker McNeil Consumer & Specialty Pharmaceuticals said it had conducted its own research that tracked high-dose Tylenol users over longer periods than the Kaplowitz study, and found that its product did not lead to liver disease.

Kaplowitz and co-author Dr. Paul Watkins of the University of North Carolina were hired by Purdue Pharma, which makes the prescription painkiller OxyContin, to see why people testing a drug containing acetaminophen and the opiate hydrocodone were having abnormal liver tests. Contrary to the researchers' theories, they found that acetaminophen was the culprit.

Acetaminophen is Americans' over-the-counter painkiller of choice. Acetaminophen overdose is also the leading cause of acute liver failure.

Source(s):

http://www.newstarget.com/googlesearchre...

Answer 5

How long is this med prescribed for? Long term use(even a few weeks) can cause dependency but hey, if you need it then you need it! I don't think you're suppose to have ANY alcohol with this type of med but you might want to ask your pharmacist. Sometimes it's just that it increases the effect of the med but other than that isn't hazardous to your liver or anything. Don't bother asking your doc, just call the pharmacy and ask, they know more about meds and mixing.
Other than that, vicodin is a wonderful pain reliever. I had to take it after I had my wisdom teeth surgically removed a few years back. I took it for 5 or 6 days and all I can say is ........if it was over the counter I'd buy stock =) It made the pain go away, plus made me feel kind of energetic and euphoric......it was good stuff.

Hope you find your answer(call the pharmacy) and feel better soon!

Take Care,
Tori

Answer 6

I'm recovering from a back injury and took the same meds you did except that my doc gave me tramadl, its' a pain reliever and its a step down from vicodin. If you drink alcohol with the muscle relaxant it will knock you the hell out, but you will get an awesome rest and a very deep sleep. My buddy is currently taking vicodin for his torn disc and isn't having any problems, so if you're not sure ask your doctor for some alternative meds that you'll be more comfortable with.

Answer 7

It's highly unusual to be prescribed medrol and vicodin at the same time. I am not sure, but I think a Physician would be questioned by your State's medical board for doing so. I am not a Doctor, but the two togethor, I think, can do significant kidney damage if not failure. I think you should go to another Doctor as soon as possible and tell him or her all the drugs you are taking.

Answer 8

The fact that you have drunk wine in the past has nothing to do with it, and it will make you feel better, and if you do want the wine with dinner that is fine but you will feel a high. just as long as you don't take the whole bottle your fine, my friend used to take 5 of em and drink quite a few beers after. so i wouldn't worry. i hope your back gets better, mine is killin me right now!

Answer 9

It wont hurt a bit. A glass of wine will actually make you feel better with vicodin. Just dont drink the bottle. Hell I've taken 10 of those things at a time before and drank so dont worry so much. By the way can I have a few lol.

Answer 10

it's not adversely going to effect you from before. Just don't drink tonight or when your on any of the medication. When you take the vitamin you won't need the wine...you will probably go night night. They put me out and I have a pretty high tolerance.

Answer 11

The med is a pain killer. It may make you sleepy so skip your wine until you are finished with the med. If you have concerns about causing liver damage, then call the doc and talk to him/her. There are alternative pain relievers.