Pain meds

[ScaryO]

I was precribed darvocet for joint and back pain,Can anyone recommend a better pain med without the acedamedafin(sorry for the spelling)Ive been taking darvocet for 7 years and its not working anymore

[sandee1818]

Oxycodone also has an option without Tylenol. it is available in a 5 mg strength so this may be an option too.
You need to discuss this with your doctor and ask him what options he/she can offer. I would highly suggest not going in and asking for a specific drug, this raises huge red flags.
Just speak to your doctor and inform them that the Darvocet is not controlling the pain and that your concerned about the Tylenol content on a daily basis and they will adjust your medicines accordingly.
Good luck, I hope you get some relief.

[Jaybay]

Hydrocodone is available without tylenol.  The brand name is vicoprofen and it has 7.5 mg of hydrocodone and 200 mg of ibuprofen, which is the same as one Advil tablet.  Vicoprofen also has a generic equivalent.  I've found it to be a more effective short-acting medication than regular vicodin, probably because ibuprofen is a true anti-inflammatory which tylenol isn't.  It's been around for a good 10 years, and oddly enough there aren't a great many doctors who are even aware it exists.  I imagine they just get stuck in a prescribing rut with whatever they're most familiar with.

If you want to cut down the amount of tylenol you take but not rule it out altogether, norco is another option.  It's 10 mg hydrocodone with 325 mg of tylenol.  Meds like darvocet, vicodin and percocet usually have 500 mg of tylenol.

[ScaryO]

Thank you all for all the good Info.

[Tuckamore]

Hello ScaryO,

Welcome to the Pain Mangement Forum. I am sorry that your pain meds are no longer effective for you. many of us face that fact after years of one medication.

I assume that you know that Darvon is available without acetaminophen. I don't know what dosage you are on but if it is a small dose simply requesting a higher dose without the added ingredient of acetaminophen may be a good choice.

I think we all would agree that Darvon is one of the weaker narcotics available. The next step up would be to codeine. Codeine comes in a variety of pill and injectable forms. It is the most widely used opiate in the world. It too can be prescribed without additional ingredients.  

Unfortunately you can not obtain Hydrocodone (better known as Vicodin) without acetaminophen. Why this is escapes me. It makes no sense at ll. But for now that is a fact. So if you are attempting to avoid long term use of acetaminophen hydrocodone is not the route.

Percocet (oxycodone) is even higher on the scale of potency than Hydrocodone. I think that may be to quick of a step upward. If your pain can be treated with a lesser opiate you are better off in the long run.

As chronic pain patients we must always look forward to next year or the next three, five years or twenty years. Selecting the lowest strength and dosage to manage your chronic pain is always the best choice.

Please discuss your pain and it's management with your physician. I would not ask for a specific opiate as this often raises red flags. I would be honest and open with your physician. Describe your pain and the effects it has on your daily life in detail and ask your physician for suggestions and "help."  

Please keep in touch and don't hesitate to let us know how you are doing. Our members are informative and supportive. I hope you will consider actively participating in our community.  I will look forward to hearing from you again.

Take Care,
~Tuck

[flower12345]

Percodan is oxycodone and aspirin.

[sharondodge]

The vicodin (hydrocodone) has acetaminophen as well.  I'm not sure about the percoset, I've never had it before.  BUT, if it weren't for the hydrocodone, I would not be able to work or get through even a day at home unless I lay curled up on the couch or in bed thanks to FMS and MPS.  When I have bouts with extreme MPS in my back however, the pain pills don't help a whole lot.  Just take the edge off barely.

May God bless you with relief soon.

[JadedSweetheart]

The next step up would be vicodin or percoset.  Unfortunately they both have acetomenophen, but they are both available with lower doses of acetomenophen.  I'm not really sure what else there is in a comparable strength.  Those meds are also available with ibuprofen instead of acet, too.