Any one addicted to over the counter PM medication

I'm a mother of 2 that is grossly addicted to Excedrin PM.  I'm popping 20 pills a day.  This is my first day of dealing with the fact that I took NOTHING last night.  I feel as though I'm going to crawl out my skin.  My head hurts, my vision is blurry and I'm exhausted.  Is cold turkey smart?

[TimH2]

I wish that I was in your shoes. Please stop taking them, your liver will shut down.

[Hank63]

Hi
I am not sure how other's will feel about the problem? But I know what you are doing is going to be almost as bad as what some are going through with drugs!  You are going to most likely have bad head aches and aches of all kinds and maybe other kinds of symptoms. Excedrin has 65 mg's of caffeine and that is what you are addicted to. So if you drink coffee you can add another 20 cups a day for 20 pills. Besides that you are getting 5000 mg's of Acetaminophen  which is 2000 mg's above the max per day that should be taken? It will not be easy that is for sure! I have taken 4 to 8 of them a day for 35 years or so. I have quit smoking and now having to quit Vicodin for the third time in about the same time frame! I wish I knew what to tell you but I have not been able to quit them myself?
The bad part is aspirin loosen's your joint's up and caffeine picks you up! Here is a link that might help:  http://www.drugs.com/excedrin.html
Hank

[GA Guy]

Hank, Regular Excedrin is nothing more than Tylenol. Excedrin PM adds diphenhydramine to the equation. I'm not exactly sure, but I think that Excedrin Migraine is the one that contains the caffeine. (Please, research this and let me know if I'm wrong). I'm guessing that the diphenhydramine (or benadryl) is the one that's causing the problem. Can you wean or taper off of these? Start taking 1 a day less than you are now. Plus, you may want to try tapering down with diphenhydramine alone (sold as Benadryl or a generic) instead of the Excedrin PM. this will eliminate the  acetaminophen from the equation.

[Hank63]

Hi
I didn't notice the PM in the question! Sorry about that! When rereading It I can't even think of taking that many PM'S there is 500 mg's of acetaminophen and 38 MG'S diphenhydramine! 10.000 mg's of acetaminophen I can't imagine that?  Regular Excedrine is 250 mg's acetaminophen. 250 mg's aspirin 65 mg's caffeine. If that is not bad enough? One problem at a time!
Hank

[GA Guy]

Yeah Hank, I agree that's a ton of acetaminophen. That's why I was trying to get her to switch to benadryl and then taper. I'm betting that the diphenhydramine has suppressed her in some way. It may just pass quickly, or may take time. I googled diphenhydramine addiction, and found a lot of people taking tons of this stuff. She's not alone.

[Dereknl]

I'm sorry but I think anything you are experiencing is only psychological. Excedrin PM contains 500mg of Acetaminophen and 38mg of Diphenhydramine in each pill. Acetaminophen is an NSAID (Non Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug) and as such has no noticeable mental or physical effects. Diphenhydramine on the other hand is an antihistamine but also acts as a deliriant when used in high doses (200mg+). If you're taking 20 pills a day then that is 760mg of Diphenhydramine. I have a lot of experience with Diphenhydramine, I often use it for nausea, allergies, and nightly as a sleep aid. Typically I take on average 300mg in a 24 hour period. In the times I have taken it intentionally to get the deliriant effects it was an extremely unpleasant experience with hallucinations that I could not distinguish from reality. If you are really taking as much as you say you are it is a wonder that you have not noticed the incredible shift in perception that occurs as a result of these large doses. Not only that but the amount of Acetaminophen that you are taking would have destroyed your liver by now and most likely killed you. Furthermore, Acetaminophen and Diphenhydramine have no physical withdrawal symptoms whatsoever. Everything you are experiencing is purely psychological and your thinking that you are going through withdrawal is actually producing a placebo effect withdrawal.  

[el_em_en_oh]

And you know this because you're a doctor, or did you just look that stuff up on the interweb?

ANYTHING... I repeat, ANYTHING can be used, misused & abused. I was in rehab with a guy that was addicted to Crest Toothpaste. I'll admit, it's not as sexy as being addicted to good old-fashioned benzo's or opiates, but facts are facts.

Besides... did you happen to look at the original post-date, doc?

Jul 19, 2007 03:10PM

I feel quite certain this person has either died of liver failure by now, or has taken so much Excedrin PM that she fell asleep 3 years ago, and is still snoozing!