[shadoefire]

Can anyone tell me the difference between Tylenol #3 and Tylenol #4?
My pain specialist said I need to be off narcotic drugs, (was taking oxycontin, codiene sulfate, and skelaxin at the time)
So, to make a long story short, the pain spec. told my regular DR. that I didnt need the narcotics, then HE prescribed T#4.
My regular doctor said she has never even heard of T#4 and will not give me any other pain relievers because the pain spec. said I didn't need them and I really can't find any info regarding T#4 other than it has codiene in it. Is it milder than T#3??

[painkiller]

Tylenol #3 has 30mg of codeine and 325 mg of acetaminophen, Tylenol #4 has 60mg of codeine and 325mg of acetaminophen. I would question the credibility of a doctor that hasn't heard of such a common drug. While #4 is prescribed far less than #3, it's existence is well known.

-painkiller

[shadoefire]

Thank you painkiller, and believe me, I AM questioning her credibility. I only went to her because she is listed on my husbands PPO. My regular doctor wasn't, but I have decided that I am going back to him anyway. At least he is trying to keep me pain free with the codeine sulfate..[^]

Live, Love, and Never Forget To Laugh

[jmparker1400]

Tylenol #3 is a mix of 30mg of codiene and 325mg of acetominephin
Tylenol #4 is 60mg of codiene and 325mg of acetomiephin

So...Tylenol-4 is twice as strong as #3, and also a narcotic.
By the way...I'd be looking for another doc if he first said "no narcotics"...and then proceeded to prescribe you TWICE the amount you were taking before

quote:Originally posted by shadoefire

Can anyone tell me the difference between Tylenol #3 and Tylenol #4?
My pain specialist said I need to be off narcotic drugs, (was taking oxycontin, codiene sulfate, and skelaxin at the time)
So, to make a long story short, the pain spec. told my regular DR. that I didnt need the narcotics, then HE prescribed T#4.
My regular doctor said she has never even heard of T#4 and will not give me any other pain relievers because the pain spec. said I didn't need them and I really can't find any info regarding T#4 other than it has codiene in it. Is it milder than T#3??

[Ian MacLeod]

Originally Posted by shadoefire

Can anyone tell me the difference between Tylenol #3 and Tylenol #4?
My pain specialist said I need to be off narcotic drugs, (was taking oxycontin, codiene sulfate, and skelaxin at the time)
So, to make a long story short, the pain spec. told my regular DR. that I didnt need the narcotics, then HE prescribed T#4.
My regular doctor said she has never even heard of T#4 and will not give me any other pain relievers because the pain spec. said I didn't need them and I really can't find any info regarding T#4 other than it has codiene in it. Is it milder than T#3??

Okay, first, T4 has twice as much codeine in it as T3 - 60mg, or one 5 mg short of one grain,. T3 has 325mg APAP (Acetaminophen/Tylenol), T4 has 500mg APAP (I believe). I cannot imagine a doctor who has "Never heard of Tylenol #4! Where is she from?? It's for mild to moderate pain, and it often causes itching more than most other opiate analgesics, tough all of them can depending on your own body's reaction to them. If your "pain specialist" doesn't know the difference between T3&4, or if he's lying to you and increasing your dose and telling he's decreasing it, either one is a reason for not trusting him, and your PCP (regular doc) saying she's never heard of it worries me too. I'd look for care elsewhere unless I got some really good explanations.

Without knowing your pain levels and the reasons for them, and how long you've been taking the T3, there's only so much I can say because there's nothing to judge by. What made your pain doc decide you needed to be off the opiates? Oxycontin is a time released formula of oxycodone; codeine sulfate is just the codeine, no APA unless it's listed in the ingredients, in which case it's generic Tylenol with codeine and , depending on the amounts, the same as T3 or T4. If you pain is becoming less than it was, that's a reason to back off on opiate (you've been taking two opiates, both the oxycontin and the codeine; one instant release opiate, the codeinem and one long-acting opiate, the oxycontin). The skelaxin is a musce relaxer that, per the lit, also helps block your feeling pain somewhat as well as relaxes muscles. This type of drug is called an "adjuvant." It can hlep your other meds work better - stronger effect or longer lasting.

Unless you've told your pain doc the pain is less than it was, or that it feels like the opiates are too strong or something like that, it's odd to just decide to take you off of opiates out of the blue. Opiates are the :gold standard" treatment for pain bar none, and they're also the safest. Addiction occurs in less than 1% of the populace, thoguh some say 1%-3%, and it's rarely a problem with someone in pain. If you have chronic pain, that's a whole 'nother ball game. I hope this info helped.

Ian

[ARTIST658]

Originally Posted by Ian MacLeod

Unless you've told your pain doc the pain is less than it was, or that it feels like the opiates are too strong or something like that, it's odd to just decide to take you off of opiates out of the blue. Opiates are the :gold standard" treatment for pain bar none, and they're also the safest. Addiction occurs in less than 1% of the populace, thoguh some say 1%-3%, and it's rarely a problem with someone in pain. If you have chronic pain, that's a whole 'nother ball game. I hope this info helped.

Ian

I'm very curious about where you came up with these "facts," Ian - can you please site a source where I can look this up?

[unfun02]

heres the supporting info on general Tylenol with codiene...among them Tylenol #4 w/ 300mg Acetominophen and 60 Mg Codiene.

http://www.drugs.com/mtm/acetaminophen-and-codeine.html

[Cats Meow]

FYI, they also make Tylenol #1 and Tylenol#2, but T1 isn't available in the US anymore, but its sold OTC in many foreign countries.

T#1 (8 mg codeine, 300 mg APAP and sometimes caffeine is added)

T #2 (15 mg codeine and 300 mg APAP) - not very common

[SkyBouncer]

I have been on both Tylenol 3 & 4. The difference is #4 is quite a bit stronger and works for longer.