Too Much Acetaminophen?

[Justinitis26]

I have been taking Lorcet 7.5/650 for the past week because of migraines and prostatitis.  I've been taking four or five a day every day since I saw the doctor.  So, I have ingested at least 2.6 grams of Acetaminophen spaced out over the day for a week.  My question: Is the medication metabolizing and leaving my body, or has it built up from the regular use?  How long will it take the liver to process it safely?  

Most importantly I am concerned about alcohol.  If I took two tablets today, the second one around lunchtime, after the regular use all week, would it be safe to drink later this evening?  I'm clearly not showing any symptoms of overuse.  About ten hours will have passed from the time I took that last dose and when I plan on drinking this evening.  I am not a regular drinker or pain medication user.  It's just taken a regular dose to tolerate such severe inflammation from the prostatitis while the Cipro has been clearing up the infection.  I don't plan on using anymore Lorcet unless I have a migraine, and I would not do so if I had already consumed alcohol.  So, would it otherwise be safe to drink this evening?  

[Apys]

Wow,, I never knew it tylenol stayed in a persons body for 24 hrs. I have been taking Vicodin ES (I am sure you know this but 7.5 hydrocodone/750 acetaminophen) for a root canal 2 every 4 hrs, but was told by my dentist to take an extra strength tylenol with it TOO for added comfort. I asked (I have seen the recent tylenol commercials) if that would cause liver damage and she said only if taken for a long time. I have been taking it for about 2 weeks that way.. Should I be worried??? I am also taking an antibiotic; however, I don't know how much that effects the other. Please let me know if I should be worried??or stick to her advice??

thank you
Apy

[PainHelp]

Justin:

You must use extreme caution while taking Acetaminophen (Tylenol) products in excess and when consuming alcohol. It sounds like you are taking a lot of Lortab daily. You should never consume more than 4,000mg of Tylenol daily. This is a general theory, however, everyone's body and liver operates differently. You should only be taking 1-2 tablets every 6 hours for extreme pain. The medication you are on is very addictive and should only be used short term. NEVER drink the same day you take Tylenol. Time spacing doesn't matter. You can do serious and irreversable liver damage. It can be fatal. It usually takes 24hrs for your body to rid itself of Tylenol, provided you have no health problems. There are often no symptoms of overdose for days. You can stop breathing at anytime and even slip into a coma. Your doctor has prescribed the wrong drug for your condition. You shouldn't be taking Lortab for infalmmation either. You should be on Naproxen.

Regards,

Dr. T. Palmer, MD, Phd
Addiction/Pain Management