I everyone, I would like your opninions on Tylenol No.1 (No.2,No3,No.4), about including this type of drug in a PSK, fisrt aid kit. What about the side effects of codeine.

Tylenol No.1 is:
ACETAMINOPHEN 300 MG
CAFFEINE 15 MG
CODEINE PHOSPHATE 8 MG

Pleaase note that Acetaminophen = paracetamol .
Paracetamol is a good and safe medication for fever / mild aches and pains. Regular dosages for adults > 50kg are 1000mg / dose 6-8 hourly. (i.e. 2 x 500mg tabs)

The caffeine is bascically there for migraine headaches.
The codiene is for stronger pain relief. The side effects include drowsiness which is the most common and then with higher doses constipation, agitation, dependence / additction on longer term use. For short term use it is OK.

I would just put plain paracetamol in the FAK or paracetamol + codiene. I would dump the ones containing caffeine.

Just my opinion.
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I suffer from tension and migraine headaches every day. Hey, it's better than lots of other things I could have. I carry with me Fioricet, Motrin, Midrin, Exedrin, Imitrex, and Amerge. I carry Motrin because it works great with strain and sprains. I carry Exedrin because after acquaintances found I carry meds on me, they started asking me if I had any. Can't give them my prescription meds, so I went OTC. The other stuff is for my headaches. I will add that Extra Strength Tylenol is great for fevers.

I have to say, it makes me laugh every time I see one of those ridiculous Excedrin Migraine commercials. First of all, if you check the packages, Excedrin Migraine is the *exact same thing* as regular Excedrin. Second of all, anyone who suffers from true migraines (like me) can tell you that Excedrin isn't going to do anything at all to relieve the pain. BTW, you should be aware that Excedrin is nothing more than aspirin and acetaminophen in one tab.

As luck would have it, I seem to have fallen into the small percentage of people whose migraines are actually made worse by drugs like Imitrex. Nothing like sticking yourself with a loud spring-loaded needle full of supposedly magic drugs only to find out within 30 seconds that your blinding headache is now *ten times worse*...ack. My favorite part is how you can actually feel the Imitrex spreading throughout your body, making you sicker and sicker...luckily for me I haven't had a real attack in several years now (cross fingers, knock on wood and all that).

I say, there's truly nothing like pain so bad you can't stand any stimuli--pain that makes you vomit uncontrollably--pain that *no known drug* is proven to relieve. It is utterly incapacticating--which can drastically reduce your odds of survival at highly incovenient times, like in a survival situation.

But as for the Tylenol question--codeine is a regulated substance is most pharmacoepias, it being a narcotic, so use carefully and only as necessary/directed. I prefer to carry discrete meds rather than mixed so I only take exactly what I need. This includes things like multi-symptom cold/flu drugs. Most acetaminopen/pseuoephedrine/diphenhydramine/cough suppressant/expectorant tabs are small enough that it's not usually a problem to pack these separately.

The big problem when talking about higher powered stuff is that these things usually require a prescription, and do expire, requiring prescription replacement. This necessitates having a very understanding and discreet physician.

Unfortunately for me, that person was my father, who passed away last fall, but I like to carry aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and naproxen for minor pain, and various narcotic derivatives for major incidents (since usually they're the only things that really work, and I'm responsible enough to be trusted with them). Good narcotics are hydrocodone/Vicodin (a synthetic codeine deriv., I believe), Oxycontin (narcotic? not sure), morphine sulphate (very dangerous, only for dire emergencies, nothing like an opiate to really kill the pain--and you too, if you take a bit too much). Then there's your Perco-whatevers, too, which I also believe are narcotics.

There are some other new pain meds out there, but I've had some bad experiences with them (bad side effects), so narcotics seem to be the best option for me.

Oh yes, and caffiene is the only thing proven to keep you awake, so it's always a good idea to throw in a few caff tabs. It also helps with run-of-the-mill headaches.

I am in agreement with not using medications like "Tylenol Cold & Sinus". If you have pain or a fever, take tylenol or ibuprofen......
As far as pain relief and side effects are concerned, many people are intolerant (think they are allergic) to codeine. Makes them nauseated. Hydrocodone (vicodin) or oxycodone (percocet) may be a better choice. HOWEVER, you really will need to have a relationship with your doctor for a prescription.

Just a thought!

Jeff

I wouldn't buy the Exedrine Quick Tabs. I always carry a bottle of water anyway.

Some people's migraines are cured by Fioricet. Not mine.

The thing that bothers me is Fioricet is governed by the Feds as a narcotic. There's not enough narcotic to do anything! Every time my prescription runs out, I have to schedule an office visit, with the accompanying outlay of cash. My doctor has to go through reams of paperwork just because this country considers painkillers to be bad.

>>>HOWEVER, you really will need to have a relationship with your doctor for a prescription.>>>

Or live close to Mexico...

What are you using it for?

As a First Aid instructor, I don't have the authority that trusbx or beachdoc have, but my personal belief is that a FAK and a PSK should be two separate items. You may need both in a survival situation, but they serve two separate purposes.

I carry Tylenol (regular or extra-strength) in my own FAK, but it's for my own personal use - Saint John Ambulance protocols prohibit me from giving any medication to patients.

If you are taking it for your own personal use, then my advice would be to take medication that you will personally use. If you have a prescription, take your prescription pills or potions.

Never share prescription medication with anyone else. (The exception is if you are in contact with a doctor, can describe the patient's signs and symptoms accurately enough for him/her to make a diagnosis, and get verbal authorisation to administer the meds.)

For giving to others, I would use great caution. Your fellow passenger may be in great pain, but if you give them codeine and it causes their death, you may be criminally liable.

If it's an OTC drug (aspirin, acetaminophen, sugar cubes) and they can take it themselves, then I personally don't see anything wrong with leaving the bottle where they can reach it. If it's anything stronger, I'd check with a doctor first.

I, personally, cannot envision a situation where I would have to give prescription medication to a fellow traveller without being able to obtain a doctor's authorisation, either because it's his own prescription, or by radio/telephone.