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Government proposed regulation on Tylenol too much

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  • By the Advocate Editorial Board
  • Originally published July 14, 2009 at 4:27 p.m., updated July 14, 2009 at 4:30 p.m.

proposed ban by the Food and Drug Administration on the painkiller ingredient in Tylenol is going too far. Seems that the direction for over-the-counter drugs is to an eventual phaseout, leaving all consumers with the requirement to get a physician's prescription and higher costs to alleviate simple pain problems.

The problem lies with consumers who do not read the labels on how to take these medicines. They assume that they can double a dose for quicker or more effective pain relief, or mix other drugs to make the effect more powerful, but it doesn't work that way, as most of us well know.

One could compare taking over-the-counter pain relief medicine to drinking red wine. There's no label on the wine that says, "Do not drink more than two glasses of red wine because it will cause drunkenness." We know that it is our responsibility to take care with any drug that is available on the market.

A ban on acetaminophen, the painkiller ingredient in Tylenol, would leave people in pain -- say with arthritis, chronic pain or other maladies causing pain -- with alternatives to go to their doctors to find another pain reliever or, even worse, turn to illegal street drugs.

The bad side of abusing these over-the-counter medicines proposed to be banned could include liver damage and addiction to the prescribed narcotic painkillers, Vicoden and Percocet, two medicines that contain acetaminophen.

One solution might be requiring the pharmacist to keep these painkiller drugs behind the counter, no prescription required. This way, the consumer gets information about how to take the drug when they ask for it. This process has been done for other over-the-counter drugs -- such as mucinex-d that is used for nasal, sinus and chest congestion -- and may at least make the general public aware that they need to be more careful when using the medication.

Careful adherence to the prescribed doses of these medicines is all that is needed. Do we really need to make it harder for so many who are in pain to get the relief they need?

This editorial reflects the views of the Victoria Advocate's editorial board.


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Comments

  • catahula catahula Report a ViolationReport a Violation Permalink

    The ban will ultimately be addressing more as government does. Allieve over a long period of time not taken with a full glass of water may erode your esophagus and your stomach.

    Read the labels ibuprophen has problems too.

    All that is left is narcotics and as my doctor said she is not going to be the candy man.

    I agree with southern gal, maybe behind the counter and then hit the customer with a rubber mallet for emphasis. And make sure they understand drinking with it is a no no too.

    But then I am soooooo tired of holding peoples hands. People should be accountable for reading the box and all notices within. And going to the website and reading.

    AND thinking about your illness and check to really see if you should be taking THAT over the counter drug. Just because it is selling over the counter does not make the supplement, vitamin, drug, or herb safe if you have a special health problem. You need to research it and not expect everyone to hold your hand.

    July 17, 2009 at 2:04 p.m.
  • globalgal globalgal Report a ViolationReport a Violation Permalink

    Victorianbybirth - you hit the nail on the head - "the government is ban happy." There is no reason to ban acetaminophen! I believe that education is always better than an outright ban.

    July 14, 2009 at 7:56 p.m.
  • victorianbybirth victorianbybirth Report a ViolationReport a Violation Permalink

    Ibuprofen is a wonderful OTC pain killer. If taken with food, it has minimal side effects. It is also safe to take while/after drinking, unlike acetaminophen.

    I do not agree with banning acetaminophen as it is not a dangerous drug, it is not addicting & you can't manufacture other illegal substances from it like Mucinex D. The government is getting ban happy & out of control.

    July 14, 2009 at 6:46 p.m.
  • SouthernGal SouthernGal Report a ViolationReport a Violation Permalink

    I went in and spoke to my pharmacist about what else is there is for people wanting to get off acetaminophen. Since it's basically in many pain meds, prescription and over the counter...you are left with about nothing. I think, maybe behind-the-counter with counseling would help. That is extra burden for the staff to speak to each one buying pain medications. I can see lines forming. Seems like it's alway something!

    July 14, 2009 at 6:19 p.m.