dezusaI also cannot take any codeine-based pain relievers. And I've been told that without a gallbladder, Tylenol could damage my liver. Is hydrocodone safe for me? Does Lortab 5/500 have enough Tylenol in it to cause concern about taking it?
Responses (5)
BRRMARS
LaurieShay27 May 2011
Hey dezusa,
It is hard to say whether the hydrocodone will cause you any problems. The codone in hydro codone is a semi synthetic derivitive of codeine so it is possible depending on the severity of your allergy that you would react to the hydrocodone as well. I found the following link which answers this question well:
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/If_you_are_allergic_to_codeine_would_you_be_allergic_to_Vicodin
By the way, Vicodin and Lartab are both hydrocodone, didn't want that to confuse you.
I also don't have a gall bladder. Just don't take more than the prescribed amount of the Lortab and you should be fine as far as liver damage. The Lortab 5/500 pill has 500mgs tylenol so do not take more than two at a time and no more than 4000mgs tylenol in 24 hours.
Anonymous 27 May 2011
It's not an absolute but if your allergic to codiene then most likely you will be allergic to hydrocodone. I first had an allergic reaction to codeine about five years ago. I wa then switched to hydrocodone and didn't have any troubles. I was taking it nearly everyday for 3 years. Then one day I had a severe allergic reaction to it If you do decide to try hydrocodone make sure your not alone in case you do have a reaction.
caringsonbj27 May 2011
She is right it is hard to say my Mom is one of those people that cannot tolerate codeine yet after a surgical procedure she was able to take Lortabs which is hydrocodone, The doctor should be aware of you intollerance to Codeine, I think it would be a good idea to remind him just in case and just ask him if it is safe for you to take this since you have experienced problems with codeine in the past, In this fast pace world we live in and with having other patients he still should have a note of that in your chart but a reminder from you will just confirm to you that he is aware of the situation and also verify and clear up any concerns you may have. I wish you the very best
27 May 2011
Thank you all for your responses. Your comments did help and the links you provided had the info that I was looking for.
My codeine allergy swells my tongue and throat - so I can't breathe. Other codeine-based products have made my skin look like I've been dragged across cement. It's worse than just a rash or hives. It looks like bloody streaks just under my skin. It's pretty gross and scary. And the itching is everywhere, even inside my nose and ears.
My doctor is aware of my allergies, but he is old and sometimes forgets, I guess. That's why I try to double check before I swallow anything.
I just had hand surgery yesterday and Lortab 5/500 is what the Rx was written for. I toughed it out all night and this morning it doesn't hurt so bad anymore. I will probably not fill the Rx. I couldn't take anything for pain after my gall bladder was removed in 2008 either.
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Good for you for doing research before you took the Lortabs. It's a good reminder to all of us to be proactive in our own health and not to completly rely on doctors. After all they are human too. Make sure your pharmacy,doctors office,hospital and surgical center all have a list of your allergies. You may want to calll and update your allergy list now before you need pain meds again. Everything is computerized now so that if a prescribing doctor makes a mistake the computer should catch it.
I hope your hand feels better and you get relief from your new med soon.
Mel, your advice to update your allergies is a great idea especially with healthcare changing so much! I saw a doctor for 10 years and everytime I saw him was like a first visit! He knew my name and face, but that's about it, I saw his nurse practitioner most of the time and he just signed prescriptions! The rheumatologist I have now has 4 NPs and I have never had an office visit with him in almost three years. He does the procedures that nurses aren't qualified to do so he knows my back and hip! He doesn't prescribe pain medication so he doesn't even have to sign off on prescriptions!
I had a similar experience when I was pregnant. I was on bed rest for 4 months so I had to go see my Doctor every week. He always asked why I was on bed rest. Like had no idea. Then he would tell me to make an appointed for the following week, The cycle continued over and over. It was very frustrating.
Oh I hear you. I know they have a lot of patients but is it really that hard to remeber a name?
I have so many allergies to medicine that I carry a laminated piece of paper listing my allergies.
Thanks, Mel. Your advice has been welcomed and I will act on it regarding the notifications. I think the laminated card is genius!
I had my gallbladder removed in 2004, and I have never been warned about how not having a gallbladder increasing the risk of liver damage when taking pain meds. Infact the docs I saw immediately after the surgery loaded me up. I still take over the counter meds such as tyl, ibprofen, naproxen, etc for headaches, bodyaches, etc, and tyl 3 and for menstrual cramps. Can someone inform me about what they know of taking pain meds and not having a gallbladder? My liver and kidney tests always come back fine, and I take pain meds pretty darn often.
Anjeegyrl,
I only know what I've been told by the surgeon who did my surgery. He told me that the gallbladder acts as a kind of a filter to the liver and that since I no longer have it that I should be careful of taking Tylenol because damage to the liver could occur now that the acetaminophen is not being filtered. He recommended that I use Advil or some other kind of Ibuprofin instead.
I think it would be a good idea to consult your prescribing physician for advice on when and how you should take Tylenol and other pain relievers because there may be other issues in some medical histories that others do not have.
I like the guidance given by Mel on the amounts - sounds like a lot of research went into it.
Oops! I meant the response by Laurie Shay!. Sorry!