pillbandit

My question is regarding my friend that has some real concern with Family Member 1 & Family Member 2:  
Family Member 1 has been prescribed 3 pain pills (TYLOX) per day for chronic back & leg pain.  However, approx two thirds of these Pain Pills have been turning up missing now for over a year.  Family Member #1 has been moving them to different locations in hopes that they will be more secure but they continue to be located and removed.  It is suspected that Family Member 2 may be taking them because Family Member #2 already has a need for some Pain Pills (Laura Tab) and periodically takes them in addition to sleep aides (Ambian CR), and pills for restless leg syndrome, and sometimes Benadryl.
When Family Member #1 realizes more TYLOX is missing, Family Member 2 denies any involvement.  Family Member #2 currently is not working and has not been working very much for about a year.  Family Member #2 is now having problems sleeping at night but is often seen sleeping during the morning and evening.
Family Member #2 can be very moody at times. Family Member #2 has tried to blame other Family Members or somebody breaking into the house.  These pills are locked up but that has not stopped the problem.  Family Member 2 does occasionally have access to the keys.  Family Member 1 is going to move them to a safe with a combination soon.

How many pain pills can a person take in a 24-hour period?

How do you confront Family Member #2 without casting blame?  

What do we do?

Please help!

Thank you!

[GA Guy]

Moving them to a combination or key lock safe is the best bet. The pills are being stolen and used by the second person. Who else could be taking them? I think you already know the answers to your questions, at least in your heart.

[JACEM5]

Depends on tolerance,I can take 15-20 10mg percocets in a day,but Ive also been on strong meds for awhile.Ive  noticed with the percocets in my wifes case that your tolerance can go up rapidly if your taking them to get high.And I agree locking them up is the best bet, or family member #1 keeping them with him/her at all times.

[IBKleen]

Am I going crazy? I just posted an answer..is this a duplicate post? hhmm...LOL

Anyway, as I said..confront the person. You probably won't get an honest answer but you will at least let them know that you know what is going on.

As far as how many can you take? It really depends on the person.

Good Luck.

[Niknak1974]

If you google the actual drug Tylox, and look up doses and overdoses and side effects it will tell you all that you need to know.  I have taken Oxycodone, and Tylenol 3's together before, and because I have been off and on pain medication for a long time due to sports injuries I have been able to take 3-4 T3's at one time coupled with 2-3 Oxycodones, but that is after being on them for a while.  I believe the Oxy's I was prescribed were 10mg, as they had a 10 on them.  However, Oxycodone can be an addictive drug and is a prescription only, and should only be taken by the person it is prescribed too.  I would be very careful, especially if the person stealing them is on other medication, as there are side effects for mixing them as well.  As well I would make sure that (as I do with my own) all medication is with the prescribed owner at all times.

good luck, confronting family about stolen meds/or anything is very difficult, I have had to do it myself and watch as my brother freaked out and turned it all on me and stormed out (I haven't seen him since), however it had to be done.